Many parts of Japan remained in the grip of scorching heat on Wednesday, with the mercury soaring over 38 degrees in the Tokai and Kanto regions. People are advised to stay alert for heatstroke as dangerous heat is forecast for western Japan on Thursday.
The Meteorological Agency says a high-pressure system covered eastern and western Japan on Wednesday, pushing up temperatures mainly in areas along the Pacific coast.
Daytime highs reached 38.8 degrees in Shizuoka City, central Japan, and 38.4 degrees in Ichihara City in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo.
Central Tokyo marked a high of 36 degrees, and Osaka City in western Japan 35.5 degrees.
Temperatures are expected to surge again on Thursday, mainly in western Japan.
Daytime highs of 38 degrees are forecast for Saga City and Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture, 37 degrees in Fukuoka City and 36 degrees in Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture. A high of 35 degrees is possible in the cities of Okayama, Kyoto and Shizuoka.
Humidity is expected be high as well.
The weather agency and the Environment Ministry have issued heatstroke alerts for 13 prefectures in western Japan, including Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In recent days, many people have been taken to hospital in wider places of Japan for apparent symptoms of heatstroke.
People are urged not to exercise and to avoid going outside as much as possible.
Residents of heat-affected areas are advised to use air conditioning indoors frequently and to regularly consume enough fluids and salt.
People are also asked to keep a close eye on infants and the elderly, as they are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke.