Oita’s First Super Hot Day: Hita Reaches 36.7°C

It felt like the middle of summer across Oita Prefecture, as Hita City recorded a scorching 36.7°C on June 19 — the first “moushobi” (super hot day) of the year for the region and the second-highest temperature in Japan that day. Under a strong high-pressure system, temperatures soared throughout the prefecture. In Hita’s historic Mameda-machi district, tourists were seen using handheld fans and enjoying shaved ice to beat the heat. Other areas also experienced peak temperatures for the year: • Saiki (Ume area): 34.1°C • Kusu Town: 33.9°C By 4 p.m., at least four people had been taken to hospitals due to suspected heatstroke. The extreme heat is expected to continue, with Hita forecast to hit another moushobi on the 20th. With this early summer heatwave, authorities urge everyone to: • Stay hydrated • Take frequent breaks in cool areas • Avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day Please stay safe and look after vulnerable individuals around you.