Japan records its first official “kokushobi” (“cruelly hot day”) after several central cities reach 40°C or higher, according to reports from multiple outlets. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) introduced the term earlier in the year to describe days when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, reflecting concerns that such extreme heat is becoming more common. On Tuesday, three locations in central Japan—Gujo and Tajimi in Gifu prefecture, and Toyota in Aichi prefecture—report 40°C-level temperatures. Gujo records 40°C, while Toyota reaches about 40.1°C. Both readings are also described as all-time highs at their respective weather stations. The JMA’s classification is presented as part of broader public heat-safety messaging amid rising health risks associated with extreme temperatures. Reports also note that heat can contribute to heatstroke deaths and affect agriculture, underscoring the purpose of the new terminology and warnings as the country experiences increasingly frequent high-temperature events.