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Japan has experienced its first officially designated "kokushobi", or "cruelly hot day", as temperatures in parts of the country climbed past 40 degrees Celsius. The term was introduced in April by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to describe days when temperatures reach 40C, aiming to more effectively warn the public about dangerous heat, as reported by BBC News.
On Tuesday, temperatures in three central Japanese cities — Tajimi, Gujo, and Toyota — hit that threshold, according to multiple reports. The Guardian specified that Gujo and Tajimi in Gifu prefecture, along with Toyota in Aichi prefecture, all reached 40C, with Gujo's 40C and Toyota's 40.1C being all-time highs at their respective weather stations.
The heat is expected to continue into next week, said the JMA, as reported by BBC News. It comes as extreme weather events like heatwaves are becoming more intense around the world. Last year, Japan saw its highest-ever temperature of 41.8C in the city of Isesaki.
Coverage Comparison
Reports from BBC News, The Guardian, and The Hindu present a consistent picture of the heatwave's severity, though they emphasize different aspects.
BBC News focused on the temperature records and the new terminology, noting that Japan already has terms for days over 25C, 30C, and 35C. Days with temperatures exceeding 35C are known as "moshobi" — or "extremely hot days". Nearly 300 of the country's 914 observation points recorded a moshobi on Tuesday, according to Kyodo News, as reported by BBC News.
The Guardian provided broader context, noting that heatstroke deaths topped 2,000 for the first time in 2024, while more than 100,000 people were taken to hospital last year between the beginning of May and late September, according to the fire and disaster management agency. The rising heat is affecting many aspects of Japanese life, including yields and the quality of rice, a staple, with farmers planting more heat-tolerant varieties and some switching to crops such as avocado.
The Hindu emphasized the human impact, reporting that more than 450 people received hospital treatment for heat-related issues in a single day in Tokyo — the highest number since records began 16 years ago. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has dubbed the heatwave a "disaster", reporting at least 14 deaths across the country over the previous week and 11,000 people seeking emergency medical care.
Key Claims
- Japan recorded its first "kokushobi" (cruelly hot day) on Tuesday, with temperatures in Tajimi, Gujo, and Toyota reaching or exceeding 40C, as reported by BBC News and The Guardian.
- The term "kokushobi" was introduced in April by the JMA, according to BBC News and The Guardian.
- Nearly 300 observation points recorded a "moshobi" (extremely hot day) on Tuesday, as reported by BBC News citing Kyodo News.
- Heatstroke alerts were issued in more than 40 prefectures, according to BBC News.
- In Tokyo, 287 people were taken to hospitals on Tuesday due to apparent heatstroke, according to the Tokyo Fire Department, as reported by BBC News. The Hindu reported that over 450 people received hospital treatment for heat-related issues on Wednesday, the most since records began in 2010.
- At least 14 people have died due to the heatwave over the past week, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, as reported by The Hindu.
- Heatstroke deaths topped 2,000 for the first time in 2024, and more than 100,000 people were taken to hospital last year, as reported by The Guardian.
- Average summer temperatures in Japan have risen about 1.3C over the past 100 years, as reported by The Guardian.
- The rising heat is affecting many aspects of Japanese life, including yields and the quality of rice, as reported by The Guardian.
- Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, as reported by The Hindu.