Japan and South Korea, March 2026
For 9 days, from 23 to 31 March 2026, 305 cities in Japan and South Korea had PM2.5 at least twice their usual for the time of year. The worst reading was Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea: 85.9 µg/m³ on 24 March, about 4.3× its usual 19.8.
Day by day
How it spread
Every city it reached
| City | Days | Highest | Above usual |
|---|---|---|---|
| KosongGangwon-do, South Korea | 6 | 57.124 March | 5.3× |
| HakodateHokkaido, Japan | 3 | 38.030 March | 5.3× |
| TomakomaiHokkaido, Japan | 2 | 32.131 March | 5.2× |
| ToyamaToyama, Japan | 1 | 35.824 March | 4.8× |
| SapporoHokkaido, Japan | 2 | 29.330 March | 4.7× |
| ShonaiYamagata, Japan | 1 | 30.124 March | 4.6× |
| MuroranHokkaido, Japan | 2 | 35.031 March | 4.6× |
| Cheongsong gunGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 68.624 March | 4.6× |
| EisenGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 70.724 March | 4.6× |
| GyeongjuGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 69.624 March | 4.5× |
| GeojeGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 5 | 71.024 March | 4.4× |
| YeonilGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 6 | 83.424 March | 4.4× |
| Gyeongsan-siGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 80.224 March | 4.4× |
| YurihonjōAkita, Japan | 1 | 35.424 March | 4.4× |
| DaeguDaegu, South Korea | 5 | 74.024 March | 4.4× |
| PohangGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 85.924 March | 4.3× |
| AomoriAomori, Japan | 3 | 39.230 March | 4.3× |
| HirosakiAomori, Japan | 3 | 39.830 March | 4.3× |
| MiyazuKyoto, Japan | 2 | 35.924 March | 4.2× |
| NaganoNagano, Japan | 1 | 28.124 March | 4.2× |
| HwawŏnDaegu, South Korea | 5 | 69.124 March | 4.2× |
| SokchoGangwon-do, South Korea | 4 | 62.224 March | 4.1× |
| HayangGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 73.224 March | 4.1× |
| ImizuToyama, Japan | 1 | 35.124 March | 4.1× |
| GijangBusan, South Korea | 6 | 64.924 March | 4.0× |
| NiigataNiigata, Japan | 1 | 31.724 March | 4.0× |
| MatsueShimane, Japan | 3 | 35.524 March | 4.0× |
| TakaokaToyama, Japan | 1 | 35.124 March | 4.0× |
| ShibataNiigata, Japan | 1 | 36.524 March | 4.0× |
| MaizuruKyoto, Japan | 2 | 34.124 March | 4.0× |
| MakiNiigata, Japan | 1 | 25.324 March | 4.0× |
| KyōtangoKyoto, Japan | 2 | 31.924 March | 3.9× |
| SakaiminatoTottori, Japan | 1 | 33.024 March | 3.9× |
| KamaishiIwate, Japan | 1 | 25.530 March | 3.9× |
| TsubataIshikawa, Japan | 1 | 28.824 March | 3.9× |
| MinamikyushuKagoshima, Japan | 2 | 37.729 March | 3.9× |
| YokoteAkita, Japan | 1 | 27.524 March | 3.9× |
| YangsanGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 6 | 59.824 March | 3.9× |
| UngsangGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 6 | 62.524 March | 3.9× |
| Kameda-honchōNiigata, Japan | 1 | 30.824 March | 3.9× |
| TsuruokaYamagata, Japan | 1 | 27.324 March | 3.8× |
| HagiYamaguchi, Japan | 2 | 34.629 March | 3.8× |
| UlsanUlsan, South Korea | 5 | 70.224 March | 3.8× |
| NyūzenToyama, Japan | 2 | 36.124 March | 3.8× |
| Aizu-WakamatsuFukushima, Japan | 1 | 25.824 March | 3.8× |
| JōetsuNiigata, Japan | 2 | 33.624 March | 3.8× |
| ItoigawaNiigata, Japan | 1 | 30.224 March | 3.8× |
| MiyakoIwate, Japan | 1 | 30.130 March | 3.7× |
| AsahikawaHokkaido, Japan | 2 | 26.030 March | 3.7× |
| HachinoheAomori, Japan | 1 | 29.930 March | 3.7× |
| SaseboNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 44.228 March | 3.7× |
| TonamiToyama, Japan | 1 | 27.324 March | 3.6× |
| ChitoseHokkaido, Japan | 2 | 31.330 March | 3.6× |
| SantyokuGangwon-do, South Korea | 6 | 63.625 March | 3.6× |
| WabuGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 3 | 68.227 March | 3.6× |
| YonezawaYamagata, Japan | 1 | 26.124 March | 3.6× |
| SinhyeonGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 6 | 56.324 March | 3.6× |
| KimhaeGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 6 | 57.324 March | 3.6× |
| MinamataKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 41.529 March | 3.6× |
| KagoshimaKagoshima, Japan | 2 | 41.129 March | 3.6× |
| GotōNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 35.728 March | 3.6× |
| KanazawaIshikawa, Japan | 1 | 25.224 March | 3.5× |
| JumunjinGangwon-do, South Korea | 5 | 52.425 March | 3.5× |
| MiryangGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 6 | 61.624 March | 3.5× |
| TogitsuNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 40.429 March | 3.5× |
| Donghae CityGangwon-do, South Korea | 5 | 60.025 March | 3.5× |
| BusanBusan, South Korea | 6 | 60.724 March | 3.5× |
| SadoNiigata, Japan | 1 | 30.024 March | 3.5× |
| KunwiGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 56.724 March | 3.5× |
| MatsutōIshikawa, Japan | 1 | 27.624 March | 3.5× |
| HimimachiToyama, Japan | 1 | 29.324 March | 3.4× |
| ToyookaHyōgo, Japan | 2 | 30.624 March | 3.4× |
| ŌdateAkita, Japan | 2 | 31.630 March | 3.4× |
| NanaoIshikawa, Japan | 1 | 25.024 March | 3.4× |
| SuzakaNagano, Japan | 1 | 28.724 March | 3.4× |
| SagaeYamagata, Japan | 2 | 26.624 March | 3.4× |
| T’aebaekGangwon-do, South Korea | 6 | 48.427 March | 3.4× |
| UozuToyama, Japan | 1 | 28.924 March | 3.4× |
| HakuiIshikawa, Japan | 1 | 26.224 March | 3.4× |
| FukuchiyamaKyoto, Japan | 2 | 30.924 March | 3.4× |
| ŌmuraNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 33.828 March | 3.3× |
| KōriyamaFukushima, Japan | 1 | 25.724 March | 3.3× |
| KushikinoKagoshima, Japan | 2 | 33.328 March | 3.3× |
| NagatoYamaguchi, Japan | 2 | 34.628 March | 3.3× |
| MiyazakiMiyazaki, Japan | 1 | 33.129 March | 3.3× |
| TsushimaNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 36.028 March | 3.3× |
| ChangnyeongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 5 | 51.524 March | 3.3× |
| Kan’onjichōKagawa, Japan | 3 | 40.929 March | 3.3× |
| NishiwakiHyōgo, Japan | 2 | 28.529 March | 3.3× |
| AyabeKyoto, Japan | 2 | 28.524 March | 3.3× |
| TongyeongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 5 | 58.324 March | 3.3× |
| ShironeNiigata, Japan | 1 | 25.224 March | 3.3× |
| GangneungGangwon-do, South Korea | 5 | 53.625 March | 3.3× |
| YoukaichiShiga, Japan | 2 | 30.028 March | 3.3× |
| IzumiKagoshima, Japan | 2 | 34.529 March | 3.3× |
| UtoKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 38.029 March | 3.2× |
| Tottori-shiTottori, Japan | 3 | 31.524 March | 3.2× |
| ŌmihachimanShiga, Japan | 1 | 29.029 March | 3.2× |
| GoseongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 6 | 49.524 March | 3.2× |
| YangguGangwon-do, South Korea | 5 | 47.227 March | 3.2× |
| TokonameAichi, Japan | 2 | 28.529 March | 3.2× |
| KitahamaShiga, Japan | 1 | 26.529 March | 3.2× |
| TsurugaFukui, Japan | 2 | 25.829 March | 3.2× |
| HwadoGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 4 | 65.827 March | 3.2× |
| MoriokaIwate, Japan | 2 | 28.629 March | 3.2× |
| WaegwanGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 4 | 62.924 March | 3.2× |
| NagasakiNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 34.329 March | 3.2× |
| ChangwonGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 6 | 49.824 March | 3.2× |
| ChuncheonGangwon-do, South Korea | 3 | 51.727 March | 3.2× |
| IsahayaNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 32.029 March | 3.2× |
| Tagajō-shiMiyagi, Japan | 1 | 25.324 March | 3.2× |
| YecheonGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 4 | 56.525 March | 3.2× |
| KobayashiMiyazaki, Japan | 2 | 28.728 March | 3.2× |
| Ōyanomachi-noboritateKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 38.729 March | 3.1× |
| Hondomachi-hondoKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 37.129 March | 3.1× |
| KirishimaKagoshima, Japan | 2 | 29.829 March | 3.1× |
| YasugichōShimane, Japan | 2 | 27.724 March | 3.1× |
| Kaseda-shirakameKagoshima, Japan | 2 | 31.429 March | 3.1× |
| NoshiroAkita, Japan | 2 | 27.930 March | 3.1× |
| YonagoTottori, Japan | 3 | 28.224 March | 3.1× |
| YoshiokaMiyagi, Japan | 1 | 25.724 March | 3.1× |
| Seongnam-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 3 | 60.527 March | 3.1× |
| NeietsuGangwon-do, South Korea | 3 | 53.527 March | 3.1× |
| HitoyoshiKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 31.628 March | 3.1× |
| ShintomiMiyazaki, Japan | 1 | 29.429 March | 3.1× |
| MatsuuraNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 32.428 March | 3.1× |
| UnnanShimane, Japan | 2 | 27.829 March | 3.1× |
| NamyangjuGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 58.827 March | 3.0× |
| Fukui-shiFukui, Japan | 2 | 28.629 March | 3.0× |
| ObitaNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 29.529 March | 3.0× |
| KogaFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 31.928 March | 3.0× |
| TakamatsuKagawa, Japan | 2 | 31.929 March | 3.0× |
| AsoKumamoto, Japan | 1 | 31.728 March | 3.0× |
| TakatsukiOsaka, Japan | 1 | 25.629 March | 3.0× |
| Shin’ichiHiroshima, Japan | 2 | 35.729 March | 3.0× |
| TakashimaShiga, Japan | 3 | 30.329 March | 3.0× |
| ZentsujichóKagawa, Japan | 2 | 30.029 March | 3.0× |
| KumamotoKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 35.029 March | 3.0× |
| TakeharaHiroshima, Japan | 2 | 30.230 March | 3.0× |
| Hongch’ŏnGangwon-do, South Korea | 2 | 52.527 March | 2.9× |
| SabaeFukui, Japan | 1 | 25.529 March | 2.9× |
| MikuniFukui, Japan | 2 | 26.329 March | 2.9× |
| IzumoShimane, Japan | 1 | 26.224 March | 2.9× |
| KagaIshikawa, Japan | 1 | 25.829 March | 2.9× |
| OnomichiHiroshima, Japan | 3 | 34.429 March | 2.9× |
| Uijeongbu-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 60.627 March | 2.9× |
| HijiOita, Japan | 2 | 33.129 March | 2.9× |
| ImabariEhime, Japan | 2 | 36.230 March | 2.9× |
| MunsanGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 64.027 March | 2.9× |
| KusatsuShiga, Japan | 1 | 27.529 March | 2.9× |
| NobeokaMiyazaki, Japan | 1 | 29.429 March | 2.9× |
| AndongGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 4 | 55.324 March | 2.9× |
| MiharaHiroshima, Japan | 2 | 29.930 March | 2.8× |
| SaikaiNagasaki, Japan | 2 | 27.628 March | 2.8× |
| YanagawaFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 27.329 March | 2.8× |
| ShidoKagawa, Japan | 2 | 31.229 March | 2.8× |
| KurayoshiTottori, Japan | 4 | 28.628 March | 2.8× |
| HwacheonGangwon-do, South Korea | 2 | 43.727 March | 2.8× |
| AraoKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 32.728 March | 2.8× |
| HikoneShiga, Japan | 1 | 27.029 March | 2.8× |
| TamanaKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 32.628 March | 2.8× |
| GapyeongGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 54.427 March | 2.8× |
| MunakataFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 28.628 March | 2.8× |
| CheorwonGangwon-do, South Korea | 1 | 65.627 March | 2.8× |
| YangjuGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 59.427 March | 2.8× |
| FukuyamaHiroshima, Japan | 3 | 38.329 March | 2.8× |
| HadongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 5 | 48.924 March | 2.8× |
| SendaiKagoshima, Japan | 2 | 31.028 March | 2.8× |
| NaesŏGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 3 | 46.924 March | 2.8× |
| OgaAkita, Japan | 2 | 27.630 March | 2.8× |
| YeongjuGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 5 | 61.627 March | 2.8× |
| YaeHiroshima, Japan | 1 | 25.028 March | 2.8× |
| MifuneKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 30.029 March | 2.8× |
| YawatahamaEhime, Japan | 1 | 26.629 March | 2.8× |
| GumiGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 3 | 62.524 March | 2.8× |
| NagahamaShiga, Japan | 1 | 25.729 March | 2.8× |
| SuncheonJeollanam-do, South Korea | 3 | 43.927 March | 2.8× |
| GwangjuGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 3 | 57.427 March | 2.8× |
| IkiNagasaki, Japan | 1 | 26.728 March | 2.8× |
| MiyakonojōMiyazaki, Japan | 1 | 34.029 March | 2.7× |
| OgōriFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 28.528 March | 2.7× |
| HitaOita, Japan | 2 | 36.728 March | 2.7× |
| MiyoshiHiroshima, Japan | 1 | 25.728 March | 2.7× |
| HiragiKagawa, Japan | 1 | 27.329 March | 2.7× |
| ItoshimaFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 31.128 March | 2.7× |
| OkayamaOkayama, Japan | 1 | 26.129 March | 2.7× |
| Goyang-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 60.527 March | 2.7× |
| SeoulSeoul, South Korea | 2 | 64.027 March | 2.7× |
| MungyeongGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 4 | 50.625 March | 2.7× |
| Uekimachi-mōnoKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 35.729 March | 2.7× |
| HigashihiroshimaHiroshima, Japan | 3 | 30.229 March | 2.7× |
| AkitaAkita, Japan | 1 | 25.030 March | 2.7× |
| Guri-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 61.827 March | 2.7× |
| KuryeJeollanam-do, South Korea | 2 | 40.327 March | 2.7× |
| MimaTokushima, Japan | 1 | 25.529 March | 2.7× |
| KikuchiKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 31.328 March | 2.7× |
| ShimonosekiYamaguchi, Japan | 2 | 29.628 March | 2.7× |
| KasugaFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 27.228 March | 2.7× |
| NichinanMiyazaki, Japan | 1 | 30.129 March | 2.7× |
| Tanushimarumachi-toyokiFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 32.428 March | 2.7× |
| KanoyaKagoshima, Japan | 1 | 31.829 March | 2.7× |
| BeppuOita, Japan | 2 | 30.729 March | 2.6× |
| ChungjuNorth Chungcheong, South Korea | 1 | 55.427 March | 2.6× |
| YukuhashiFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 29.028 March | 2.6× |
| NakamaFukuoka, Japan | 1 | 26.228 March | 2.6× |
| ChangsuJeollabuk-do, South Korea | 1 | 50.027 March | 2.6× |
| WakasugiFukuoka, Japan | 1 | 26.728 March | 2.6× |
| ŌitaOita, Japan | 1 | 27.229 March | 2.6× |
| InabeMie, Japan | 1 | 25.129 March | 2.6× |
| ŌzuKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 31.128 March | 2.6× |
| NantanKyoto, Japan | 2 | 27.929 March | 2.6× |
| Ueno-ebisumachiMie, Japan | 1 | 25.029 March | 2.6× |
| MatsuyamaEhime, Japan | 1 | 31.229 March | 2.6× |
| HanamGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 55.327 March | 2.6× |
| YeosuJeollanam-do, South Korea | 2 | 39.63 April | 2.6× |
| FukuokaFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 31.828 March | 2.6× |
| HonmachiKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 30.529 March | 2.6× |
| ChinjuGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea | 4 | 45.924 March | 2.6× |
| BuzenFukuoka, Japan | 1 | 26.329 March | 2.6× |
| KureHiroshima, Japan | 2 | 29.930 March | 2.6× |
| AnseongGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 4 | 57.227 March | 2.6× |
| SeogwipoJeju-do, South Korea | 2 | 40.027 March | 2.6× |
| ŌmutaFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 34.628 March | 2.6× |
| IizukaFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 28.628 March | 2.6× |
| SōjaOkayama, Japan | 3 | 29.130 March | 2.6× |
| KotōKumamoto, Japan | 2 | 31.629 March | 2.5× |
| KurashikiOkayama, Japan | 3 | 30.329 March | 2.5× |
| GimcheonGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 2 | 54.424 March | 2.5× |
| Ureshinomachi-shimojukuSaga, Japan | 2 | 27.528 March | 2.5× |
| Imarichō-kōSaga, Japan | 1 | 30.028 March | 2.5× |
| TsuyamaOkayama, Japan | 2 | 26.228 March | 2.5× |
| UbeYamaguchi, Japan | 1 | 27.429 March | 2.5× |
| TakanabeMiyazaki, Japan | 1 | 29.429 March | 2.5× |
| HyūgaMiyazaki, Japan | 1 | 29.129 March | 2.5× |
| TakahashiOkayama, Japan | 2 | 26.829 March | 2.5× |
| Maebaru-chūōFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 34.028 March | 2.5× |
| OnoHyōgo, Japan | 1 | 25.529 March | 2.5× |
| KasaokaOkayama, Japan | 2 | 31.230 March | 2.5× |
| OkcheonNorth Chungcheong, South Korea | 2 | 53.127 March | 2.5× |
| NangenJeollabuk-do, South Korea | 2 | 49.327 March | 2.5× |
| SangjuGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 3 | 56.525 March | 2.5× |
| Bucheon-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 59.727 March | 2.5× |
| OnodaYamaguchi, Japan | 2 | 32.229 March | 2.5× |
| MarugameKagawa, Japan | 2 | 28.229 March | 2.5× |
| TsurusakiOita, Japan | 1 | 27.929 March | 2.5× |
| UkihaFukuoka, Japan | 1 | 27.328 March | 2.5× |
| NōgataFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 26.328 March | 2.5× |
| KashimaSaga, Japan | 2 | 27.228 March | 2.5× |
| KyotoKyoto, Japan | 1 | 25.229 March | 2.4× |
| TakeoSaga, Japan | 1 | 27.628 March | 2.4× |
| Anyang-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 54.727 March | 2.4× |
| YeongamJeollanam-do, South Korea | 4 | 39.83 April | 2.4× |
| ShūnanYamaguchi, Japan | 1 | 25.628 March | 2.4× |
| ChikugoFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 31.328 March | 2.4× |
| GwangyangJeollanam-do, South Korea | 3 | 38.524 March | 2.4× |
| AsakuchiOkayama, Japan | 3 | 29.229 March | 2.4× |
| Kakogawachō-honmachiHyōgo, Japan | 1 | 27.129 March | 2.4× |
| NiihamaEhime, Japan | 2 | 32.129 March | 2.4× |
| IkedachōTokushima, Japan | 1 | 25.629 March | 2.4× |
| Icheon-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 55.627 March | 2.4× |
| KitakyushuFukuoka, Japan | 2 | 29.029 March | 2.4× |
| KwangyangJeollanam-do, South Korea | 3 | 40.627 March | 2.4× |
| IyoEhime, Japan | 1 | 28.929 March | 2.4× |
| KaratsuSaga, Japan | 1 | 26.228 March | 2.4× |
| SugaiKyoto, Japan | 1 | 25.029 March | 2.4× |
| YokkaichiMie, Japan | 1 | 27.029 March | 2.3× |
| SinanJeollanam-do, South Korea | 1 | 40.53 April | 2.3× |
| GwangmyeongGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 56.427 March | 2.3× |
| SuwonGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 53.827 March | 2.3× |
| Gimpo-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 58.43 April | 2.3× |
| YeojuGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 60.627 March | 2.3× |
| CheonanChungcheongnam-do, South Korea | 2 | 50.327 March | 2.3× |
| TakuSaga, Japan | 1 | 26.428 March | 2.3× |
| PyeongtaekGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 3 | 56.023 March | 2.3× |
| NagaiYamagata, Japan | 2 | 25.029 March | 2.3× |
| SagaSaga, Japan | 1 | 25.928 March | 2.3× |
| HaenamJeollanam-do, South Korea | 1 | 44.428 March | 2.3× |
| HigashigōSaga, Japan | 2 | 27.728 March | 2.3× |
| SejongSejong-si, South Korea | 1 | 48.33 April | 2.3× |
| SaijōEhime, Japan | 2 | 32.129 March | 2.3× |
| HigashinozoeHyōgo, Japan | 1 | 27.129 March | 2.3× |
| IshinomakiMiyagi, Japan | 1 | 26.830 March | 2.2× |
| Ansan-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 55.627 March | 2.2× |
| BeolgyoJeollanam-do, South Korea | 1 | 30.824 March | 2.2× |
| WŏnjuGangwon-do, South Korea | 1 | 54.427 March | 2.2× |
| ShikokuchūōEhime, Japan | 2 | 30.229 March | 2.2× |
| YeongdongNorth Chungcheong, South Korea | 1 | 47.824 March | 2.2× |
| TagawaFukuoka, Japan | 1 | 26.129 March | 2.2× |
| Yangp'yŏngGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 2 | 48.928 March | 2.2× |
| Taesal-liChungcheongnam-do, South Korea | 1 | 39.624 March | 2.2× |
| TamanoOkayama, Japan | 2 | 26.429 March | 2.2× |
| Jeju CityJeju-do, South Korea | 1 | 40.327 March | 2.2× |
| Chinch'ŏnNorth Chungcheong, South Korea | 1 | 48.827 March | 2.1× |
| DaejeonDaejeon, South Korea | 2 | 41.427 March | 2.1× |
| PubalGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 60.027 March | 2.1× |
| GongjuChungcheongnam-do, South Korea | 1 | 39.827 March | 2.1× |
| YawataKyoto, Japan | 1 | 25.629 March | 2.1× |
| OsanGyeonggi-do, South Korea | 1 | 52.627 March | 2.1× |
| AsanChungcheongnam-do, South Korea | 1 | 53.827 March | 2.1× |
| KogaFukuoka, Japan | 1 | 26.429 March | 2.1× |
| Jinan-gunJeollabuk-do, South Korea | 2 | 38.727 March | 2.1× |
| YeonggwangJeollanam-do, South Korea | 1 | 37.028 March | 2.0× |
| SeonghwanChungcheongnam-do, South Korea | 1 | 59.526 March | 2.0× |
| BoseongJeollanam-do, South Korea | 1 | 34.124 March | 2.0× |
| NakatsuOita, Japan | 1 | 26.128 March | 2.0× |
Daily means in µg/m³. Usual: the city's median for this time of year (its days within 21 days of the date, every year, leaving out the week around it). Above usual: its highest day against that.
Against other episodes in Japan and South Korea
Number 3 of 63 episodes in Japan and South Korea since our records began, by cities reached.
- Japan, June and July 2025508
- Japan and South Korea, March 2025454
- Japan and South Korea, March 2026305
- Japan and South Korea, January 2025274
- Japan and South Korea, February and March 2025192
- Japan, July 2026172
- South Korea and Japan, January 2026169
- South Korea and Japan, February 2026147
- South Korea, February 2025132
- Japan, November 2023131
- South Korea, November 2025128
- Japan, August 2025126
Bars: cities reached; colour: the level of the episode's highest daily reading. All 63.
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SmogRank, Japan and South Korea, March 2026: 305 cities with PM2.5 at twice their usual or more, 23 to 31 March 2026, smogrank.com/episodes/2026-03-japan-and-south-korea (accessed 2 October 2026).
You're welcome to reuse a single chart, image or figure with this citation and a link. Terms.
An episode is a run of days when many cities close to each other (four or more within 350 km on a day, 8 or more in all) each had a daily PM2.5 mean of at least 25 µg/m³ and at least 2 times their usual for that time of year. Found in our own measurements, not picked by hand. How we find episodes. Values are each city's daily mean of its own monitors; causes are the usual kinds for a pattern like this, not a confirmed source.