Fukushima Cities Hit 35 Degrees Celsius in Unseasonal May Heat

Two cities in Fukushima Prefecture reached temperatures of 35 °C or higher on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 ^[1].

This sudden spike in May temperatures poses significant health risks to residents and animals, as the heat arrives well before the typical summer peak. The unseasonal warmth has forced citizens to employ emergency cooling methods to prevent heatstroke during a period when many are not yet prepared for extreme heat.

In Date City and Fukushima City, the mercury climbed to at least 35 °C ^[1]. Other regions across Japan also experienced high temperatures, including Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture, which reached 33.4 °C ^[1], and Kyoto City, where the maximum temperature was 32.7 °C ^[1].

Local residents expressed surprise at the timing of the heatwave. "I think it's getting hot particularly early this year," a tourist said ^[1].

Parents have taken extra precautions to protect children from the strong sunlight and warm air. One citizen said they brought many cooling packs to place on their child's back to keep them cool ^[1]. However, reports indicate that a "naphtha" issue has affected the efficacy or availability of some cooling packs ^[1].

The extreme weather is also impacting wildlife. At the Ehime Prefectural Tobe Zoo, staff are managing the heat for animals such as a six-year-old female Amur leopard named Ram-chan ^[1]. Ayana Yagi of the zoo said that installing air conditioning is necessary because it is difficult to survive the summer without it ^[1].