Japan Seeks New Name for 40°C+ Days, Sparking Debate and Climate Concerns

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is publicly inviting suggestions for a new name for days with maximum temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, a phenomenon that has been increasing in recent years. This initiative aims to launch the new term this summer and has garnered significant attention on social media, with many users participating in polls and proposing their own names.

Among the 13 candidate names put forward for public selection are: "炎暑日 (Enshobi)", "劇暑日 (Gekishobi)", "激暑日 (Gekishobi)", "厳暑日 (Genshobi)", "酷暑日 (Koshobi)", "極暑日 (Kyokushobi)", "甚暑日 (Jinshobi)", "盛暑日 (Seishobi)", "大暑日 (Taishobi)", "熱暑日 (Nesshobi)", "繁暑日 (Hanshobi)", "烈暑日 (Resshobi)", and "超猛暑日 (Chomoshobi)". Beyond these, individuals are also free to propose any name they wish.

On social media (formerly X), the hashtag "#気温40度以上" (Temperature 40 degrees or higher) trended, eliciting a wide range of reactions from users. Many suggested retaining existing terms, with comments like, "I've already been calling it Koshobi, so Koshobi is fine" and "Koshobi is probably the safest option." Conversely, unique names infused with raw feelings about the heat or humor were also proposed, such as "Shuzo Day" (referencing tennis player Shuzo Matsuoka, known for his passionate and 'hot' personality), "Hell Day," "Dying Hot Day," "Seriously Hot Day," and "Gokushobi" (Infernal Heat Day). There was even a proposal for "Holiday," a direct plea for a day off, which can also be seen as a critique of working conditions amid extreme heat.

The naming project has also prompted many to re-recognize the severity of global warming. Comments like, "The fact that we need a name for this is terrifying" and "I never thought temperatures over 40 degrees would come here until recently" reveal a sense of crisis that extreme heat is becoming