TOKYO - A wide swath of Japan faced sweltering heat on Wednesday, with temperatures in some regions recording the latest day in the year to top 30 C, prompting many to switch back to summer clothes for the day.
Hyuga in southwestern Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture and Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, saw the mercury rise to 33.6 C and 33.5 C, respectively, but temperatures are expected to fall on Thursday.
Across the nation, 157 of 914 observation points reported 30 C or higher during the day, while central Tokyo and areas in Nagoya and Osaka logged their latest day to hit 30 C.
Pedestrians in Tokyo's Ginza district could be seen wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts, while others carried umbrellas to block out the sun.
"It feels like summer. I'm wearing short sleeves but also brought a long-sleeved top to make it easier to put on and take off," a woman in her 70s said.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, warm air around the edge of a high-pressure system over the Pacific flowed into a low-pressure system in the Sea of Japan, warming the archipelago.
Other locations experiencing high temperatures included Kihoku, Mie Prefecture, at 33.2 C and Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, at 32.8 C.
