Japan has recorded its first 'cruelly hot day' (kokushobi) as temperatures soared above 40C in parts of the country, leading to heatstroke deaths and affecting crop yields.
On 14 July 2026, temperatures in central Tokyo were forecast to reach 34C but exceeded 40C in Gifu and Aichi prefectures. The term kokushobi, meaning 'cruelly hot day', is now used for days when the mercury rises above 40C.
Heatwave Impact on Daily Life
Across Japan, people have been taking measures to cope with the extreme heat. In Tokyo, young women used handheld fans while walking through Harajuku, and pedestrians shielded themselves from the sun with umbrellas. Visitors at Sensoji temple tried to keep cool, and students watched a summer festival in Kumagaya while staying in the shade.
Government officials in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building adopted casual dress as part of the widened 'Cool Biz' initiative, which now includes shorts to address successive hotter summers.
Innovative Cooling Solutions
At the Extreme Heat Countermeasures expo, innovative products were showcased, including an inflatable dog wearing fan-equipped pet clothing and a hands-free backpack parasol. A man was seen wearing an air-conditioned jacket fitted with cooling fans in Tokyo on 15 July.
Pet owners also sought to keep their companions sheltered from the blazing heat. Cooling mist stations provided relief for pedestrians, and many people wore sun-protective outfits.
