Japan has just recorded its hottest day ever, with temperatures reaching 41.2°C (106.16°F) in Tamba city, surpassing the previous national high of 41.1°C set in 2018 and matched in 2020. This extreme heat is part of a broader trend of rising temperatures and intensifying climate events that continue to raise global concern over climate change.
Several other cities also experienced scorching conditions, including Fukuchiyama in Kyoto, Maniwa in Okayama, and Nishiwaki in Hyogo prefecture, where temperatures topped 40°C. The national broadcaster NHK reported that heatstroke alerts were issued in 33 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures due to the dangerously high temperatures.
Rising Temperatures Drive Surge in Heatstroke Cases, Exposing Japan’s Climate Vulnerability
The heat has already had serious health impacts. More than 10,800 people were hospitalized with heatstroke in the past week, and at least 16 deaths were attributed to heat-related causes, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. This alarming toll has underscored the urgent need for climate resilience and public health preparedness in the face of extreme weather.
Wednesday’s record follows a string of temperature anomalies in Japan, including the hottest June on record, when average nationwide temperatures rose by 2.34°C. This comes after Japan experienced its hottest year ever in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking national temperatures—clear signs of a rapidly warming climate.
