Aug 16 (NHK) - Weather officials says they expect "dangerously" high temperatures of almost 40 degrees Celsius will continue across Japan through Sunday.
The Meteorological Agency says a high pressure system over western and eastern Japan increased temperatures on Saturday.
In Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture and Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, thermometers rose to 39.7 degrees, followed by 39.3 degrees in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and Hatoyama Town in Saitama Prefecture.
In Kyoto, the daytime high was 38.3 degrees and in Tokyo 36.1 degrees.
The temperature climbed to 35 degrees or higher at 278 observation points out of 921 points nationwide. The figure was the highest this year.
Forecasters say people around much of Japan can expect a "tropical night," with temperatures of more than 25 degrees through Sunday morning.
A number of people have died from heatstroke.
Weather officials are urging people to drink water, rest, avoid walking in the sun and to switch on air conditioning.
They also warn of localized torrential rains, lightning and wind gusts mainly in eastern and northeastern Japan because of unstable atmospheric conditions.
