Heatstroke alerts issued across Japan as heatwave leads to four deaths

A person walks on the street protecting herself from the sun with a parasol and using a handheld fan in the late of afternoon on 5 July 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. The capital of Japan is swept by intense heatwave with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius in Tokyo. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Japan’s meteorological agency has issued a heatstroke alert for 26 of the country’s 47 prefectures, urging people not to go outside unless absolutely necessary, to use their air conditioners during the day and at night, and to drink plenty of water.

Authorities in Japan issued the extreme heat warnings after the temperature reached 40C for the first time this year on Sunday, as the country swelters in the grip of another heatwave.