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" (Temperatu...