Japan · Nation Thailand
Japan swelters near 40°C as heat deaths rise, office shorts spark debate
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Japan is facing potentially life-threatening heat, with temperatures reaching or approaching 40 degrees Celsius across parts of the country and heatstroke alerts issued for 42 of its 47 prefectures.
Key facts
- The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the intense heat would affect a wide area stretching from the northeastern Tohoku region to Kyushu in the southwest, with inland areas facing some of the highest temperatures.
- A survey attributed to men’s medical provider Gorilla Clinic found that 53.5% of respondents opposed wearing shorts at work, while 46.5% supported the idea.
- Several cities recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher this week, marking the first use of the new category during 2026
- Japan recorded an all-time national high of 41.8°C in 2025, while more than 100,000 people were taken to hospital for heatstroke during that summer.
- Governor Yuriko Koike, who promoted the original Cool Biz concept while serving as environment minister in 2005, has urged people not to hesitate to use air conditioning when their health is at risk.
Summary
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the intense heat would affect a wide area stretching from the northeastern Tohoku region to Kyushu in the southwest, with inland areas facing some of the highest temperatures.
Kumagaya in Saitama Prefecture was forecast to reach 40°C, while Nagoya and Maebashi were expected to record highs of 39°C. Saitama city and Kofu were forecast to reach 38°C.