Society

Scorching heat blankets Japan

Aug 17 (NHK) - Many parts of Japan endured an intense heat wave on Sunday. Weather officials forecast that the scorching heat will continue on Monday.

The temperature reached 40.9 degrees Celsius in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. That's the country's highest record so far this year.

The daytime high hit 39.6 degrees in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture.

Temperatures rose above 35 degrees at 245 out of 921 observation points nationwide, including the cities of Nagoya and Osaka as well as central Tokyo.

Daytime highs on Monday are expected to reach 39 degrees in Kyoto City, and 38 in the cities of Nagoya, Kumamoto and Takamatsu.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 37 degrees in the cities of Osaka, Kofu and Kagoshima, and 36 in the cities of Saitama and Hiroshima.

They are expected to rise to 35 degrees in central Tokyo and Fukuoka City.

Weather officials are urging people to stay on high alert for heatstroke, to keep hydrated and take some salt, and to avoid sunlight as much as possible when outside.

They are also advising people to use air conditioning when indoors.

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