Japan temperatures soar over 40C, marking first 'cruelly hot day'
Japan has officially recorded its first 'cruelly hot day' of the year, with temperatures exceeding 40C in several cities. The extreme heat has led to hundreds of hospitalizations and prompted authorities to issue urgent health warnings.
Why it matters
The introduction of new terminology for extreme heat highlights the increasing severity of climate change and the growing public health burden of rising global temperatures.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Koh Ewe Getty Images Kokushobi refers to days where temperatures reach 40C or higher Japan has experienced its first "kokushobi", or "cruelly hot day", as temperatures in parts of the country climbed past 40C (104F).
The term was introduced in April by the country's weather agency to describe days when temperatures reach 40C, with the aim of more effectively warning the public about dangerous heat.
On Tuesday, temperatures in three central Japanese cities - Tajimi, Gujo, and Toyoda - hit that threshold. The heat is expected to continue into next week, said Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA).
It comes as extreme weather events like heatwaves are becoming more intense around the world. Last year, Japan saw its highest-ever temperature of 41.8C in the city of Isesaki.
Japan currently already has terms for days over 25C, 30C and 35C.
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