This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44935152
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Japan heatwave declared natural disaster as death toll mounts | Japan heatwave declared natural disaster as death toll mounts |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Japan's weather agency has declared a heatwave sweeping the country a natural disaster, with at least 65 deaths recorded in the past week. | Japan's weather agency has declared a heatwave sweeping the country a natural disaster, with at least 65 deaths recorded in the past week. |
| An agency spokesman warned that "unprecedented levels of heat" were being seen in some areas. | An agency spokesman warned that "unprecedented levels of heat" were being seen in some areas. |
| More than 22,000 people have been taken to hospital with heat stroke, nearly half of them elderly, officials say. | |
| On Monday, the city of Kumagaya reported a temperature of 41.1C (106F), the highest ever recorded in Japan. | On Monday, the city of Kumagaya reported a temperature of 41.1C (106F), the highest ever recorded in Japan. |
| The heatwave shows no sign of abating, forecasters say. | |
| In central Tokyo, temperatures over 40C were also registered for the first time. | In central Tokyo, temperatures over 40C were also registered for the first time. |
| The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that temperatures of 35C or higher would continue until early August. | The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that temperatures of 35C or higher would continue until early August. |
| "We are observing unprecedented levels of heat in some areas," spokesman Motoaki Takekawa said, adding that the heatwave was "a threat to life and we recognise it as a natural disaster". | "We are observing unprecedented levels of heat in some areas," spokesman Motoaki Takekawa said, adding that the heatwave was "a threat to life and we recognise it as a natural disaster". |
| In Ibaraki prefecture, north of Tokyo, a 91-year-old woman was found collapsed in a field and later pronounced dead in hospital. In nearby Saitama two elderly women were found dead in their homes. | In Ibaraki prefecture, north of Tokyo, a 91-year-old woman was found collapsed in a field and later pronounced dead in hospital. In nearby Saitama two elderly women were found dead in their homes. |
| With less than half of Japan's public schools equipped with air conditioning, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the summer holidays could be extended to protect pupils. | With less than half of Japan's public schools equipped with air conditioning, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the summer holidays could be extended to protect pupils. |
| "As a record heatwave continues to blanket the country, urgent measures are required to protect the lives of schoolchildren," he told a news conference on Tuesday. | "As a record heatwave continues to blanket the country, urgent measures are required to protect the lives of schoolchildren," he told a news conference on Tuesday. |
| The public is being advised to drink plenty of water, to use air conditioning and to rest often. | The public is being advised to drink plenty of water, to use air conditioning and to rest often. |
| People in some cities have taken part in an event known as uchimizu, or "water ceremony" - pouring or sprinkling cold water on to the hot pavements in an attempt to cool them. | People in some cities have taken part in an event known as uchimizu, or "water ceremony" - pouring or sprinkling cold water on to the hot pavements in an attempt to cool them. |
| The heatwave closely followed torrential rain that caused severe flooding and landslides in the west of Japan. | The heatwave closely followed torrential rain that caused severe flooding and landslides in the west of Japan. |
| Where else has experienced severe heat? | Where else has experienced severe heat? |