Global Markets
Home›Global Markets›Europe›Japan introduces “cruelly hot day” warnings as 40C hea…
Japan introduces “cruelly hot day” warnings as 40C heat spreads
The Japan Meteorological Agency said heatstroke alerts were issued in 41 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, with emergency officials reporting at least 14 heat-related deaths in the past week.
Japan has started using a new meteorological label, “cruelly hot day,” or kokushobi, to warn the public about extreme heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
According to Agence France-Presse citing the Japan Meteorological Agency, the term is aimed at drawing more attention to heat-related warnings, though it does not automatically trigger nationwide emergency measures.
The agency issued heatstroke alerts across almost the entire country, with alerts covering 41 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Emergency officials described Wednesday’s temperatures as a disaster.
AFP reports that at least 14 people have died from heat-related causes in the past week, and several central cities recorded temperatures above the new 40C threshold on Tuesday.