At least six deaths in 72 hours in Japan due to extreme heat

Six people have died of sunstroke in Tokyo in recent days as Japan suffers a rare heat wave in the middle of the rainy season, media reported.

Over the weekend, the Shizuoka department (central) was the first in Japan to see the mercury reach 40°C this year, far exceeding the threshold of 35°C corresponding to the definition of an “extremely hot” by meteorological authorities.

“Such intense heat during the rainy season is premature and rather rare, caused in part by a strong South Pacific high pressure system,” a Japanese weather agency official said. Temperatures also reached maximums close to 40°C on Monday in Tokyo and Wakayama (west), according to local media.

In recent days, authorities have issued warnings across much of the country, urging residents to avoid exercising outdoors and to use air conditioning indoors.