Japan records fifth 'cruelly hot day' amid record-breaking heat streak

Japan recorded its fifth consecutive day of "cruelly hot weather" on Saturday, a new meteorological term introduced this year to describe intense heat exceeding 40°C. This prolonged period of extreme temperatures marks the longest streak since records began in 2010, according to public broadcaster NHK. Officials have issued heatstroke warnings across several regions.

Six cities in central Japan, including areas in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, surpassed the "kokushobi" threshold, translating to "cruelly hot day." The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) introduced this designation in April to enhance public vigilance against extreme temperatures, although it does not trigger nationwide official measures.

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more effectively call for vigilance against extremely high temperatures

Data from July 13 to 19 revealed that nearly 11,000 people sought emergency medical care for heat-related issues, with 14 pronounced dead upon arrival. The agency urged the public to treat the extreme heat as a "disaster." Japan aims to halve its annual average of approximately 1,300 heat-related deaths by 2030. On Thursday alone, 453 people in Tokyo received hospital treatment for heat-related issues, the highest single-day figure in over a decade.

Scientists attribute the rising frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in Japan and globally to human-induced climate change. Japan endured its hottest summer on record last year, with the highest temperature of 41.8°C recorded on August 5, 2025, in Isesaki.

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disaster