The Scorching Truth About Japan's Heatwave As temperatures in Japan reach unprecedented highs above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), emergency officials are warning of "cruelly hot days" that pose a significant threat to the country's vulnerable populations.
At least 14 people have died, and many more are struggling to cope with the extreme heat.
The Rise of the Kokushobi Index This year saw the introduction of the kokushobi index, a new way of measuring extreme heat designed to draw greater public attention to the dangers of high temperatures.