The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) officially noted the country’s first “kokushobi,” a term introduced in April to describe days when temperatures reach 40C. Tajimi and Gujo in Gifu Prefecture recorded 40.3C and 40.0C, respectively, while the mercury in Toyoda in Aichi Prefecture climbed to 40.1C, according to the JMA. This follows a high-pressure system that began covering much of the country around Sunday, warming the air at both the surface and in the upper atmosphere.
Central Japan Cities Hit 40 C Officially Marking First Kokushobi
Last Year’s Highest Temperature in Isesaki at 41.8C
The First ‘Cruelly Hot Day’ in Japan
Last year, Japan saw its highest-ever temperature of 41.8C in the city of Isesaki. The JMA’s decision to name days reaching 40C reflects efforts to more effectively alert the public to dangerous heat. On July 21, 731 of Japan’s 914 observation points recorded maximum temperatures of 30C or higher as of 3 p.m., with 272 qualifying as “moshobi,” or extremely hot days,
excluding those separately classified as “kokushobi.”
Tokyo Fire Department Reports 287 Heatstroke Cases
The Tokyo Fire Department said a total of 287 people were taken to the city’s hospitals on Tuesday because of apparent heatstroke – the highest number recorded this year, said national broadcaster NHK. The fire department also issued an ambulance overload alert on Wednesday and urged people to protect themselves from the heat. They have advised people to use air-conditioners, drink enough water and consume salt, as well as avoid prolonged outdoor activities.
Two Men and a Woman Die from Heatstroke in Kanagawa and Niigata
Health Crisis and Public Warnings
The persistent heat has apparently already claimed lives, with two men — one in his 70s in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and another in his 40s in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture — found collapsed on the street Monday and later confirmed dead at hospital. On Tuesday, a woman in her 80s died from heatstroke in Mitsuke, Niigata Prefecture. The woman was found collapsed in her home when a staff member from a regional elder care center visited her. Authorities have issued heatstroke alerts in more than 40 prefectures across the country.
The Tokyo government has encouraged office workers to adopt more casual attire like T-shirts and shorts, instead of suit and ties, because of the heat. Last year, the number of people who suffered heatstrokes at their workplaces reached a record 1,803, said a report by news outlet Kyodo. Nineteen of them died.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The term “kokushobi” uses “koku” – meaning harsh or cruel – to describe the heat. The JMA said it expects temperatures to remain high in many parts of the country from Wednesday onward and urged the public to take precautions against heat-related illness.
As Japan braces for another hot summer, the combination of heat and public health alerts highlights the need for adaptive measures. For now, authorities are focusing on immediate actions.
Additional details from the JMA include that the high-pressure system began covering much of the country around Sunday, warming the air at both the surface and in the upper atmosphere and causing temperatures to rise. Other areas that recorded temperatures close to 40C included Nagoya, which reached 39.7C, and Kumagaya in Saitama Prefecture, which recorded 38.6C, it said. The agency also noted that two men—one in his 70s in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and another in his 40s in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture—were found collapsed on the street Monday and later confirmed dead at hospital. The woman in her 80s in Mitsuke, Niigata Prefecture, was found collapsed in her home when a staff member from a regional elder care center visited her.
The JMA’s classification of “kokushobi” is part of its effort to enhance public awareness of extreme heat risks. The agency stated it expects temperatures to remain high in many parts of the country from Wednesday onward and urged the public to take precautions against heat-related illness.
According to the JMA, the high-pressure system began covering much of the country around Sunday, warming the air at both the surface and in the upper atmosphere and causing temperatures to rise. The agency also reported that the mercury in Toyoda reached 40.1C, Tajimi 40.3C, and Gujo 40.0C. These temperatures were recorded as part of the agency’s monitoring of the extreme heat event.
Related reading
