Japan Experiences Hottest July Since 1898

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that July this year was the hottest in Japan since 1898. In a statement, the agency noted that the average temperature in July last year was 1.91 degrees Celsius above the normal levels for this month, but in July 2024, this value was 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than the normal averages, marking the highest temperature for July since 1898 and exceeding last year's record. The agency warned that "the risk of heatstroke remains high in the country, so it is important to follow weather updates and take appropriate precautionary measures." Meteorologists also expect maximum temperatures to exceed 35 degrees in many regions of the country during the first half of August. Today, Friday, 34 out of 47 prefectures in Japan announced a state of alert due to rising temperatures, especially in the Kinki region, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, where temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius by noon. In some areas of Osaka, a temperature of 39.1 degrees Celsius was recorded by 15:50 local time (09:50 Moscow time).