Japanese asked to save power as country's east sizzles

A man wipes off sweat with a towel at a park under the strain of Tokyo's hottest June streak since 1875 in Tokyo, Japan, June 30, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

The highest temperatures for the season since record-keeping began have scorched much of eastern Japan for a week, prompting the government to ask citizens to cut power use as much as possible, while running air conditioners to stay safe.

The region around Tokyo hit its seventh straight day of temperatures above 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) on Friday and faced a hot weekend. Slightly cooler temperatures and possibly rain could bring relief on Monday.