Mercury hits 41.1 degrees in Japan

TOKYO — Japan logged its highest-ever temperature of 41.1 degrees Celsius on Monday as a deadly heat wave continued to grip wide areas of the country, claiming more than 70 lives and sending tens of thousands of people to hospitals over the last two weeks.

The extreme heat left 77 people dead and sent more than 30,000 to hospitals across the nation from 9 to 22 July, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

The extraordinary heat prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to hold an unusual news conference, saying, “This heat is a threat to life. We recognize it as a natural disaster.”

The agency warned the public to take preventive measures against heatstroke, as scorching temperatures are expected to continue for two more weeks.

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