Japan experienced extreme heat on Tuesday (July 14), with temperatures exceeding 35°C at 170 observation stations — the highest number recorded so far this summer. In Tokyo alone, 52 people were taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke, three of them in serious condition.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, temperatures above 25°C are classified as "summer days," above 30°C as "midsummer days," above 35°C as "extremely hot days," and above 40°C as "scorching days." The highest temperature recorded on Tuesday was 38.3°C in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, followed by 38.2°C in Nishitosa, Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture — both classified as dangerous levels. Other areas also saw extreme heat, including 37.9°C in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, and 37.5°C in Gifu City. Eastern Japan also experienced "extremely hot days," with 36.6°C recorded in Nerima Ward — the first time Tokyo has exceeded 35°C this year.
Heatstroke cases continue to rise. By 3 pm in Tokyo, 52 people had been rushed to hospital with suspected heatstroke. Nationwide, over 4,500 people were hospitalized for heatstroke in the week up to July 13 — more than three times the previous week's figure, with more than half of them elderly.
Weather authorities predict the heat will continue through the weekend and are urging the public to take precautions against heatstroke.
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