Japan records first ‘kokushobi’ extreme‑heat day with temps over 40 °C

Japan’s Meteorological Agency officially designated its first “kokushobi” (cruelly hot day) after temperatures in several cities topped 40 °C. Record highs were logged in Gujō, Tajimi and Toyota, with forecasts of 40 °C in Kumagaya and Nagoya. The agency issued heat‑stroke alerts nationwide, warning residents to use air‑conditioning, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.

Heat‑related illnesses surged: 4,580 people were hospitalized between July 6‑12, including seven deaths, and heat‑stroke deaths exceeded 2,000 for the first time in 2024. Government data projects over 100,000 heat‑stroke hospitalisations for the 2025 summer season. Authorities also noted impacts on agriculture, with rice yields and quality affected, prompting farmers to plant heat‑tolerant varieties.

Local responses included Tokyo’s fire department reporting a record 3,454 emergency dispatches in one day, and Nerima ward temporarily lifting its ban on handheld fireworks to give residents a seasonal activity. Parks and municipal sites across the country issued heat‑alert advisories, urging visitors to drink fluids, seek shade and limit exposure.