
Asahi Shimbun, Japan - Sept 6
Satellite data show sea surfaces off Japan were warmer in early August than in the same time last year.
.....Shunji Takahashi, a forecaster in the Climate Prediction Division of Japan Meteorological Agency, said, "Sea-surface temperatures off coasts of Japan were higher probably because more sunlight hit the sea surface this summer because of a high pressure system that lingered over Japan."....
The Pacific high pressure zone is thought to have been strengthened over Japan this summer because the convection current off the east coast of the Philippines was relatively active.