Japan faced extreme heat on Wednesday as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius in several areas, prompting the weather agency to issue alerts for heatstroke.
Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday. Temperatures were expected to top 40 degrees Celsius in some cities, including Kumagaya north of Tokyo and Nagoya in central Japan. The weather agency issued heat stroke alerts for much of the country and forecast a second straight day of kokushobi, or brutally hot day.
The government has newly designated the kokushobi category for days when temperatures reach 40 C or higher. Authorities urged residents to use air conditioning liberally, hydrate regularly and avoid spending long hours outdoors.
Japan recorded its all-time high temperature of 41.8 C last year. Between July 6 and 12, 4,580 people were taken to hospital for heat-related issues, including seven deaths. More than 100,000 people were taken to hospital for heatstroke during the 2025 summer season.
