A Tragedy at Tama Zoological Park
The intense northern summer is taking a high toll in Japan. According to The Guardian, three lionesses at the Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo have died, presumably due to heatstroke.
Since mid-July of 2026, 10 out of 16 lions in the facility have shown symptoms of illness, including loss of appetite and decreased activity. Tragically, three lionesses died: one on Tuesday, another on Friday, and the third on Sunday (dates prior to August 4, 2026).
A zoo veterinarian observed dehydration and multiple organ failure, pointing to heatstroke as the likely cause. 'Although lions are thought to be heat-resistant, the heat in Japan comes with high humidity; that is different from the dry heat of Africa,' a zoo spokesperson explained. Climate change and the abrupt rise in temperatures following the rainy season in July have complicated the situation.
The zoo team is working intensely to protect the remaining animals, strengthening measures such as water spraying, improved ventilation, and the installation of specific air conditioning in the enclosures.
What is a Kokushobi?
In April of 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency coined a new term: kokushobi (酷暑日), which translates to cruelly hot day, to designate days where the mercury exceeds 40 degrees Celsius (104°F).
The first official kokushobi was recorded on Tuesday, July 22, 2026. Cities like Gujo and Tajimi (Gifu prefecture) and Toyota (Aichi prefecture) reached 40°C, marking historical records at their weather stations. Up to 278 stations exceeded 35°C, known in Japan as 'moshobi' or extremely hot day.
Health Impact and Social Adaptation
Between July 20 and 26, 2026, 18,600 people were hospitalized for heatstroke in Japan, and 45 sadly died upon arriving at the hospital. In 2024, heat-related deaths surpassed 2,000 victims for the first time.
To cope with the heatwave, the government has expanded the Cool Biz initiative (a campaign encouraging office workers to wear casual clothes like shorts and t-shirts to reduce air conditioning use). Additionally, sporting events like the iconic Koshien (Japan's national high school baseball tournament) have split their matches into morning and afternoon sessions to protect athletes.
A Future Urging Climate Action
Average summer temperatures in Japan have risen by 1.3 degrees Celsius over the last 100 years. The summer of 2025 was 2.4°C above the average of the previous three decades, registering a historical high of 41.8°C (107.2°F) in Isesaki on August 5, 2025.
Despite the challenging panorama, Japan has set a hopeful goal: to halve the 1,300 annual heat-related deaths by the year 2030. Studies warn that without drastic cuts in greenhouse gases, outdoor school sports could be unviable by the 2060s, pushing the nation to lead in climate mitigation and adaptation measures.