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Japan endures record five‑day streak of 40°C‑plus temperatures
Japan experienced an unprecedented heatwave in July 2026, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) for five consecutive days—the longest such streak since records began in 2010. The highest reading was 40.8 °C in Mino, Gifu Prefecture, while other cities such as Tajimi, Gujo, Toyota and Kofu also recorded 40 °C or higher. The Japan Meteorological Agency designated these days as “kokushobi,” a new term for extremely hot days. Heat‑stroke alerts were issued across 37 of the country’s 47 prefectures, and authorities declared the situation a “disaster.” During the week of 13–19 July, 10,857 people were transported to hospitals for heat‑related illnesses, more than twice the previous week’s total, and 14 deaths were recorded. About 321 cases were classified as severe, requiring prolonged hospital care. The extreme weather was attributed to a persistent Pacific high‑pressure system and is being linked by scientists to ongoing climate change. The heatwave spurred a surge in demand for portable air‑conditioners, with retailers such as Bic Camera reporting rapid sales of units priced between ¥30,000 and ¥50,000. Local governments, including Sano City, posted heat‑alert signage, and public‑health officials urged residents to stay hydrated, use air‑conditioning, and avoid prolonged outdoor activity. The new term “kokushobi” was coined by the Japan Meteorological Agency to label days over 40 °C, facilitating clearer public warnings.
Entities
Bic Camera · Fire and Disaster Management Agency · Gifu Prefecture · Japan · Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency · Japan Meteorological Agency · Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) · Pacific high‑pressure system · Tokyo · Tokyo Metropolitan Government · kokushobi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Fourteen people died from heat‑related causes during that week. www.liputan6.com · newscentraltv.com · watchers.news · www.upday.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Tokyo recorded a record 453 heat‑related hospitalisations on 23 July, the highest in 16 years. eltiempomx.com · newscentraltv.com · watchers.news · www.upday.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Japan experiences about 1 300 heat‑related deaths annually and aims to halve that number by 2030. eltiempomx.com · newscentraltv.com · watchers.news · www.upday.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 10 800–11 000 people received emergency medical treatment for heat‑related illnesses between 13 July and 19 July 2026. www.liputan6.com · newscentraltv.com · watchers.news · www.upday.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Japan declared the heatwave a “disaster” and urged the public to treat extreme heat as such. www.liputan6.com · newscentraltv.com · watchers.news · www.upday.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The five‑day streak is the longest since comparable records began in 2010. eltiempomx.com · newscentraltv.com · www.n-tv.de · watchers.news · www.upday.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Japan experienced five consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 40 °C on 25 July 2026. eltiempomx.com · www.liputan6.com · newscentraltv.com · www.n-tv.de · watchers.news · +1 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Six central cities, chiefly in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, recorded temperatures above 40 °C, qualifying as “kokushobi”. eltiempomx.com · www.liputan6.com · newscentraltv.com · www.n-tv.de · watchers.news · +5 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Japan recorded five consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 40 °C on 25 July 2026, the longest streak since records began in 2010. eltiempomx.com · www.2duerighe.com · www.liputan6.com · news.gamme.com.tw · newscentraltv.com · +4 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Nearly 11 000 people required emergency medical treatment for heat‑related illnesses between 13–19 July, with 14 deaths. eltiempomx.com · www.liputan6.com · news.gamme.com.tw · newscentraltv.com · watchers.news · +3 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Scientists attribute the heatwave’s intensity to human‑driven climate change. eltiempomx.com · www.2duerighe.com · www.liputan6.com · news.gamme.com.tw · newscentraltv.com · +4 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Authorities declared the heatwave a “disaster” and urged the public to treat extreme heat as such. eltiempomx.com · www.liputan6.com · news.gamme.com.tw · newscentraltv.com · watchers.news · +3 more