Japan is facing a severe heatwave on Thursday, with temperatures forecasted to reach 40°C [1] in Nagoya, Kyoto, Kōfu, and Gifu.
This extreme weather arrives during "Daisho," the hottest solar term of the year, placing significant strain on public health systems and increasing the risk of life-threatening heat-related illnesses.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency has issued heat-stroke alerts for 39 prefectures [1]. In central Tokyo, temperatures are expected to reach 38°C [1], marking the fourth consecutive "mousho" or extremely hot day for the capital [1]. Other regions are seeing similar spikes; Kumagaya in Saitama is forecasted to hit 39°C [1].
Early readings on Thursday showed the intensity of the heat. In Ebina, Kanagawa, the temperature reached 38.3°C [1] by 11 a.m., while Tenryū in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, recorded 38.2°C [1] at the same time. While some reports indicated lower observed temperatures in Nagoya at 37.8°C [2] and Kyoto at 35°C [3], the primary forecasts remained at the 40°C threshold [1].
The surge in temperature has already led to a spike in medical emergencies. The Tokyo Fire Department said 453 people were transported via emergency services yesterday due to suspected heat stroke [1]. This represents a sharp increase from the previous day, when 287 people required emergency transport [1].
Regional data highlights the persistence of the trend. Kyoto has already recorded 11 "mousho" days this year [3]. The combination of high humidity and extreme peaks continues to challenge urban infrastructure, and resident safety across the archipelago.
“Japan is facing a severe heatwave with temperatures forecasted to reach 40°C in Nagoya, Kyoto, Kōfu, and Gifu.”
The alignment of the 'Daisho' solar term with record-breaking temperatures suggests a compounding effect of seasonal peaks and broader climatic shifts. The rapid increase in emergency transports—rising from 287 to 453 in a single day—indicates that the current heatwave is outpacing the public's ability to adapt, potentially overwhelming urban emergency response systems during the peak of the Japanese summer.
