NHK


 

 
 
Much of Japan was gripped by sweltering heat on Saturday, with temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Celsius or higher especially in western parts of the country.
 
The hot weather is expected to continue on Sunday, prompting warnings of heatstroke.
 
The Meteorological Agency says a high pressure system prevailed over wide regions from western to northern Japan.
 
A daytime high of 36.4 degrees was recorded in the town of Akiota in Hiroshima Prefecture. The mercury reached 33.8 degrees in central Tokyo and 33.5 degrees in Osaka City.
 
Tokyo Fire Department officials say that as of 9 p.m. on Saturday, 43 people in the capital between the ages of 10 and 99 had been taken to hospital with symptoms of heatstroke.
 
Temperatures are likely to remain high mainly from the Kinki to Kyushu regions in the west. Overnight lows are not expected to fall below 25 degrees in some areas.
 
Another scorching day is forecast for Sunday.
 
A daytime high of 37 degrees is expected in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. Highs of 36 degrees are likely in the cities of Saga, Yamaguchi, Okayama, Kyoto and Kumagaya, while Kumamoto, Takamatsu, Osaka and Fukushima cities can expect a high of 35 degrees.
 
Heatstroke alerts have been issued for the prefectures of Shimane, Tokushima, Kochi, Fukuoka, Oita, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima excluding the Amami region, as well as Okinawa's main island and Yaeyama regions.
 
Temperatures are expected to remain high for the coming month.

People are advised to use air conditioners, take liquids and salt and rest frequently during outdoor activities.