Japan’s hottest city to give out umbrellas to protect children from sun

Japan has suffered its worst heatwave since records began. Its hottest city, Kumagaya, is handing out umbrellas to children to protect them. Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Children living in Japan’s hottest city will be given specially designed umbrellas to protect them from the heat, after a summer that saw record-breaking temperatures in many parts of the country.

Local authorities in Kumagaya in Saitama prefecture have devised an umbrella that keeps out the rain and doubles as a parasol, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.