Japan records first 'kokushobi' extreme heat events exceeding 40C

Three cities in central Japan have recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C, triggering the nation's new 'kokushobi' (cruelly hot day) warning classification for the first time. This event confirms an increasing frequency of extreme heat waves and a nine-year national trend of sustained extreme heat, with Gujo City in Gifu Prefecture recording its first 40°C day. The long-term impact on regional labor productivity and public health infrastructure remains to be quantified.