Japan sees hottest July since records began

Temperatures in the country were 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than average, breaking last year's record of 1.91 degrees Celsius above average for July.

Japan sweltered through its hottest July since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe.

Temperatures in the country were 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than average, breaking last year's record of 1.91 degrees Celsius above average for July.

"It was the highest since statistics began in 1898," the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said on Thursday (Aug 1), noting that the figures were "considerably higher" nationwide.

Of 153 observation posts across Japan, 62 broke their average temperature record in July.

Contributing factors included a high-pressure system over the Pacific and "warm air from the south" that shrouded northern parts of the archipelago, the JMA said.

Since April, heatstroke has killed 59 people in Japan, according to the disaster management agency.