Overview
- The Japan Meteorological Agency, which announced the change Friday, will start using the new term in forecasts and on its website this summer.
- An online poll in February and March drew about 478,296 responses, with "Kokushobi" winning 202,954 votes and outpacing "Cho-moshobi" with 65,896 and "Gokusho-bi" with 25,638.
- After the poll, experts endorsed the choice, and the Japan Meteorological Association noted it has used the term on its own since 2022.
- "Kokushobi" will appear in dark purple on JMA temperature maps, while existing heat categories remain in place with 35°C days in light purple, 30°C in red, and 25°C in orange.
- JMA points to rising extremes as the driver, with 40°C days recorded every year since 2018 and a national high of 41.8°C logged in Isesaki on August 5, 2025.