TOKYO, July 22 - Japan has sweltered under life-threatening heat today, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C in some cities during what the government has newly designated as a “brutally hot day”.
The weather agency issued heatstroke alerts for much of the country and forecast a second consecutive day of ‘kokushobi’ - literally meaning ‘brutally hot day’ - with temperatures expected to reach 40°C in Kumagaya, north of Tokyo, and Nagoya in central Japan.
Authorities urged residents to use air conditioning, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor activities.
Japan has experienced increasingly severe summers in recent years, with the country recording its highest-ever temperature of 41.8°C last year.
Even before this week’s extreme heat, 4,580 people were hospitalised between July 6 and 12, including seven who later died, according to the latest data from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The weather agency introduced the ‘kokushobi’ category this year for days when temperatures reach 40°C or higher, reflecting the growing frequency of extreme heat.
More than 100,000 people were hospitalised for heatstroke during the summer of 2025, according to government data.
