Is there any escaping Japan’s summer time 酷暑 (kokusho, excessive warmth)?
In April, the 気象庁 (kishōchō, Japan Meteorological Company) launched a bulletin titled 最高気温が40度以上の日の名称を「酷暑日」に決定 (Saikō kion ga yonjū-do ijō no hello no meishō o “kokusho-bi” ni kettei, The title “intense warmth day” has been formally adopted for days when the utmost temperature reaches 40 levels Celsius or larger).
The kanji that comprise 酷暑 are 酷 (hido[i]/koku) and 暑 (atsu[i]/sho), the later that means “sizzling” and the previous that means “extreme,” “harsh” or “merciless.” This has led some abroad information shops to translate 酷暑日 (kokusho-bi) as a “cruelly sizzling day.”
