Japan recorded its fifth consecutive day of temperatures at or above 40°C on Friday, setting the longest such streak since comparable records began in 2010 and surpassing the previous four-day maximums set in 2013 and 2025, after the extreme-heat designation was first used earlier this week.
Mino in Gifu Prefecture led the country at 40.8°C, while Tajimi reached 40.7°C, Kuwana in Mie Prefecture hit 40.6°C and Hamamatsu logged 40.3°C, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The cities of Kofu and Toyota both recorded 40.0°C. By noon, 181 of 914 observation points nationwide had registered highs of 35°C or above.
The agency, which introduced the "kokushobi" label in April for days exceeding 40°C, has issued heatstroke warnings across 37 regions from Kanto to Okinawa.