Jun 16 (NHK) - Temperatures soared across many parts of Japan on Monday, with the mercury hitting 35 degrees Celsius in portions of the Kanto region.
The Meteorological Agency says it's raining in the Hokkaido and Kyushu regions. But clear skies and high temperatures are being observed across wide areas of western to northeastern Japan.
By 12 p.m. on Monday, temperatures had hit 35 degrees in Sano City, 34.6 degrees in Shizuoka City, 33.8 degrees in Tatebayashi City, and 32 degrees in central Tokyo.
Authorities are urging people to take steps to prevent heatstroke, as temperatures are expected to climb even higher.
Weather officials forecast that the temperature will rise to 35 degrees in the cities of Shizuoka, Kofu, Maebashi, and Kumagaya. They say the mercury will hit 34 degrees in Utsunomiya City, 33 degrees in Owase City and central Tokyo, and 32 degrees in the cities of Nagoya, Kyoto, and Okayama.
Many people in Japan are wearing face masks due to the coronavirus pandemic. But there are concerns that wearing them in hot weather will cause other health problems, such as heatstroke.
Environment Ministry officials say to prevent heatstroke people should avoid strenuous exercise when wearing masks and drink water frequently. They also say masks can be removed, if social distancing is practiced.
