Intense heat gripped much of Japan on Tuesday. Temperatures topped 38 degrees Celsius in some parts of the western region as hot weather continued in the country. Officials are calling on people to stay on the alert against heatstroke.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says a high pressure system prevailed over mainly western and eastern Japan, pushing up temperatures.
Daytime highs reached the dangerous level of 39 degrees in Kyotanabe City in Kyoto Prefecture, 38.3 in Akiota Town in Hiroshima Prefecture, 38.1 in Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture and Shimanto City in Kochi Prefecture.
The mercury hit 37.6 in Yamaguchi City and Kumamoto City, 37.2 in Nagoya City, 36.6 in Kofu City and 35.1 in Yamagata City.
Daytime highs stood at 33.5 in central Tokyo and 31.3 in Furano City in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido.
Scorching heat is expected to continue on Wednesday.
Daytime highs are forecast to reach 38 in the cities of Yamaguchi, Saga and Kumamoto, 37 in the cities of Nagoya and Takamatsu, 36 in the cities of Osaka and Kagoshima and 35 in Kofu City.
The Meteorological Agency and the Environment Ministry have issued heatstroke alerts for 22 of the country’s 47 prefectures, mainly in western Japan.
People are advised to avoid going out or exercising outdoors, and to adequately take fluids and salt.
Special attention is needed for infants and the elderly, who are at higher risk of developing heatstroke.