Extreme heat is continuing in many parts of Japan, with the mercury hitting 41 degrees Celsius in Tochigi Prefecture and 40 degrees or over in several places.
The Meteorological Agency says eastern and western Japan were covered with a high-pressure system on Monday, bringing sunny skies.
The temperature rose to 41 degrees in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The figure is the country’s highest this year and only 0.1-degree shy of the record.
A daytime high of 40.2 degrees was observed in a district in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Gunma Prefecture’s Tatebayashi City.
Temperatures of 40 degrees or over were recorded at six locations in one day, the first since July 1, 2022.
The mercury is expected to remain above 25 degrees overnight over wide areas.
The heat wave is expected to continue on Tuesday. A daytime high of 39 degrees is forecast in Hamamatsu City and the cities of Saitama and Kumagaya in Saitama Prefecture. The mercury will likely rise to 38 degrees in Central Tokyo, Kochi City and Okayama City.
Heatstroke alerts have been issued for 30 of the country’s 47 prefectures from the Kanto to Kyushu regions on Tuesday.
People are advised to take thorough protective measures. They include avoiding non-essential outings, not hesitating to use air conditioning and frequently taking fluids and salt.
Close attention should be paid to elderly people and infants because they are at higher risk of developing heatstroke.