Japan heatwave sends over 4,500 to hospital in week

More than 4,500 people were hospitalised with heatstroke across Japan in a single week as intense summer temperatures swept the country, according to official figures released on July 14.

Data from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which oversees the country's emergency services, showed that 4,580 people were admitted to hospital with heat-related illnesses between July 6 and 12, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Seven people died during the same period.

Since the ministry began publishing weekly heatstroke statistics in May, more than 13,000 people have been hospitalised, while 12 deaths have been recorded.

Japan is currently experiencing its annual peak summer heat, with July and August typically bringing the highest temperatures. On Tuesday, temperatures climbed to 38.4°C in Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, while Gunma Prefecture, north-west of Tokyo, recorded 37°C.

Heatstroke is a recurring public health concern in Japan, where prolonged periods of extreme heat lead to tens of thousands of hospital admissions each year.

Hundreds of heat-related deaths are also reported annually, prompting authorities to urge people to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and use air conditioning where possible.

By Aghakazim Guliyev