Japan records fifth consecutive ‘cruelly hot day’ of temperature above 40 deg C

Japan recorded its fifth consecutive "cruelly hot day" on July 25, a newly devised meteorological term for temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius. This streak represents the longest period of extreme heat since record-keeping began in 2010, leading officials to issue heatstroke warnings across several regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) introduced the term "kokushobi" earlier this year to more effectively alert the public to dangerously high temperatures, although it does not trigger nationwide official measures.

Central Japan, including the Aichi and Gifu regions, saw six cities surpass the 40-degree threshold. The intense heat has already led to significant health concerns. Between July 13 and 19, nearly 11,000 people required emergency medical care nationwide, with 14 pronounced dead upon arrival, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Authorities are urging the public to treat the extreme heat as a "disaster."

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more effectively call for vigilance against extremely high temperatures

Japan aims to halve its annual heat-related deaths, which currently stand at approximately 1,300, by 2030. The severity of the situation was underscored on July 23, when Tokyo recorded 453 hospital treatments for heat-related issues in a single day, the highest number in over a decade. Scientists widely agree that human-induced climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of such extreme heat events globally, including in Japan, which endured its hottest summer on record in 2025.

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disaster