Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday, with temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius in some cities in what the government has newly designated as a “brutally hot day.”
The city of Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, observed 40.6 C Wednesday afternoon, a record high for the city. Temperatures reached 40.1 C in Mino, Gifu Prefecture, and Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, and 40 C in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture.
The weather agency issued heat stroke alerts for much of the country, forecasting a second straight day of kokushobi — literally meaning brutally hot day.
Authorities urged residents to use air conditioning liberally, hydrate regularly and avoid spending long hours outdoors.
Japan has experienced increasingly severe summers in recent years, with the country recording its all-time high temperature of 41.8 C last year.
Even before this week’s extreme heat, 4,580 people were taken to the hospital with heat-related conditions between July 6 and 12, including seven who later died, according to the latest data available from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The weather agency this year introduced the “kokushobi” category for days when temperatures reach 40 C or higher, reflecting the growing frequency of extreme heat.
More than 100,000 people were taken to the hospital for heatstroke during the 2025 summer season, according to government data.
AloJapan.com