Japanese cities are enduring what the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has termed “cruelly hot days,” a new meteorological designation introduced this year to warn of intense heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). On Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026, emergency officials described the soaring temperatures as “a disaster.”
Heatstroke alerts have been issued in 41 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures, covering almost the entire country. Authorities have urged the public, particularly the elderly, to take precautions to stay cool. Over the past week, emergency officials reported at least 14 deaths linked to heat-related causes.
On Tuesday, three central cities recorded temperatures above the new threshold, known as kokushobi, which translates to “cruelly hot day.” Large areas, including the central hub of Nagoya and communities near Tokyo in the east, experienced temperatures approaching or surpassing 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
The kokushobi term aims to heighten public awareness of extreme heat risks but does not trigger official nationwide measures.
Sources
South China Morning Post World, Agence France-Presse
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