Japan Reveals New Name for Days Over 40°C Following Record-Breaking Summer
Japan has officially introduced a new term for days that soar to 40°C (104°F) or higher, responding to last year’s unprecedented heat that established the hottest summer on record in the country. The word, kokushobi, translates to cruelly hot, brutally hot, or severely hot, capturing the intensity of extreme weather. This label emerged as the top choice in a national online survey, surpassing alternatives such as super extremely hot day.
Key Highlights
– Survey Details: Conducted in February and March, the survey gathered around 478,000 responses. Participants selected their favorite term from 13 options to describe extreme heat days.
– Terminology Context: The term kokushobi incorporates koku, which signifies harshness or cruelty, reflecting the severity of the heatwave, according to the Japan Times.
– Existing Temperature Labels: Japan already uses specific terms for days reaching 25°C, 30°C, and 35°C, aligning language with the rising temperatures influenced by climate change.
Record-Breaking Summer 2025
Last year’s summer shattered records, as data shows:
– Average Temperature Increase: Nationwide temperatures were 2.36°C above the historical average.
– Extreme Heat Days: Japan experienced 40°C+ weather on nine separate days from June to August, including a national high of 41.8°C recorded in Isesaki.
– Comparative Data: In Tokyo, there were 25 days exceeding 35°C, a stark contrast to an average of just 4.5 days. Similarly, Kyoto registered 52 days above this threshold, compared to an average of 18.5 days.
Future Outlook
This summer, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) predicts a high likelihood of above-normal temperatures across the country from June to August, emphasizing the continued threat of extreme weather events fueled by climate change.
As global temperatures rise and we witness more intense heatwaves, Japan’s proactive naming of kokushobi serves as a reminder of the pressing challenges posed by climate change and the need for awareness and action.