Tokyo Records Highest Daily Heat Hospitalizations on Record

Tokyo has recorded its highest number of heat-related hospital admissions in a single day since records began in 2010, as an intense heatwave continues to grip Japan.

Emergency services said 453 people were taken to hospitals across the Japanese capital on Wednesday due to heat-related illnesses. One person died, while four remain in critical condition and 18 others are being treated for serious conditions.

The Tokyo Fire Department also responded to 3,612 emergency calls on Wednesday, marking the highest daily total since comparable records began in 1963. Officials urged residents to stay hydrated and use air conditioning as temperatures continue to rise.

"We urge the public to drink plenty of water and use air conditioners," a fire department spokesperson said, adding that the number of heat-related patients has increased significantly over the past two days.

Several cities in central Japan recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C this week. The Japan Meteorological Agency has introduced the new term kokushobi, meaning "extremely hot day," to describe such exceptional weather conditions.

Scientists warn that human-induced climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme heatwaves in Japan and around the world.

Japan experienced its hottest summer on record last year, with the country's highest-ever temperature of 41.8°C recorded in Isesaki, north of Tokyo, on 5 August 2025.