Sweltering heatwave hits Japan, heatstroke alerts issued

Spectators wait for a soccer game to start on a sunny day at a stadium in Tokyo, July 26, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

TOKYO – Extreme heat continued to grip Japan on Monday, with the mercury already topping 35 C in the morning in many areas of the country's east and north, said Japan's weather agency.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said by 11:00 am local time, the temperature had reached 37.7 C in Hatoyama Town in Saitama Prefecture, 37.1 C in Date City in Fukushima Prefecture, and 35.1 C in central Tokyo

The Japan Meteorological Agency said by 11:00 am local time, the temperature had reached 37.7 C in Hatoyama Town in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, 37.1 C in Date City in Fukushima Prefecture, and 35.1 C in central Tokyo.

Officials warned that the risk of people developing heatstroke is extremely high, and issued heatstroke alerts for Tokyo, Kyoto, and 17 other prefectures.

READ MORE: Japan renews heatstroke alerts as temperature nears record

The JMA said that atmospheric conditions are expected to become unstable in northern and eastern Japan through Tuesday due to a cold air mass and the temperature rises during the daytime, warning against possible lightning, gusts, hail and torrential rain.