Japan Cities 'Cruelly Hot' for First Time
The Japan Meteorological Agency said 731 observation points topped 30 C as officials warned of dangerous heat.
- On Tuesday, three cities in central Japan reached 40°C, officially marking the country's first "kokushobi," or "cruelly hot day," since the Japan Meteorological Agency introduced the term earlier this year to warn the public of extreme heat.
- A high-pressure system began covering Japan on Sunday, warming the air and driving temperatures higher. The agency coined "kokushobi" in April to more effectively alert the public to days when temperatures reach 40°C.
- Tajimi and Gujo in Gifu Prefecture recorded 40.3°C and 40.0°C, while Toyoda in Aichi Prefecture reached 40.1°C. Of 914 observation points, 272 qualified as "moshobi," which translates as "extremely hot day."
- The agency issued heat stroke alerts, forecasting a second straight day of extreme heat. Authorities urged residents to use air conditioning liberally, hydrate regularly, and avoid spending long hours outdoors.
- Temperatures are expected to remain high from Wednesday onward. Japan has experienced increasingly severe summers in recent years, with over 100,000 people hospitalized for heatstroke during the 2025 season and a record high of 41.8°C last year.
50 Articles
50 Articles
Japan coins ‘Kokushobi’ term for ‘cruelly hot’ 40°C days behind skyrocketing hospitalisations
TOKYO, July 23 — Tokyo recorded on Wednesday the most daily heat-related hospitalisations since 2010, emergency services said as Japan sweltered in a severe heatwave, with one person dead and four in a critical condition.The Tokyo Fire Department said 453 people were taken to hospital on Wednesday, the highest daily count since records began in 2010.The number of times emergency services were deployed that day also hit a 63-year high.“We are urg…
Japan is grappling with kokushobi, or the "ferociously hot" period of the year, for another day. Thousands of people have required medical attention due to heat exhaustion. Authorities are urging caution.
In 2025, Japan experienced the hottest summer on record, while this year temperatures are also very high. The post "Kokusobi", extreme heat hits Japan - One dead, record hospital admissions appeared first on in.gr.
For the first time in Japan's history, a "brutally hot day" had to be declared after temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several cities.
Japan sizzles in first 'brutally hot' days of 2026
TOKYO - Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some cities in what the government has newly designated as a "brutally hot day."
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
