Tokyo, Japan – Japan continues to endure a record-breaking heatwave for the fifth consecutive day, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in several regions, prompting official health warnings to mitigate the severe risks associated with extreme weather.
This heatwave marks the longest continuous period of extreme heat the country has witnessed since comprehensive data tracking began in 2010.
Unprecedented Temperatures and “Kokushobi” Warnings
Six cities in central Japan, including areas in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, recorded temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. To raise public awareness, the Japan Meteorological Agency utilized the term “Kokushobi” to describe extreme heat days.
Authorities emphasized that this classification primarily aims to urge residents to take necessary preventive measures against heatstroke, although it does not entail mandatory government actions.
Thousands Hospitalized Amid Government Climate Action
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that approximately 11,000 people received emergency medical treatment within a single week due to heat complications, with 14 fatalities recorded. In Tokyo alone, 453 individuals were hospitalized in one day, the highest daily figure in 16 years.
Coinciding with these severe repercussions, the Japanese government aims to halve heat-related deaths by 2030, given the escalating impacts of climate change, which peaked when the country recorded a blistering 41.8 degrees Celsius in the summer of 2025.
