Extreme heat baked a broad swath of western and eastern Japan on Sunday, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in many major cities nationwide — a trend likely to continue through Wednesday.
In Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, the mercury hit 38.2 C, while nearby Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, saw the temperature rise to 37.3 C, according to data from the Meteorological Agency. The temperature in the city of Kyoto rose to 37.9 while the town of Gunge, on Hyogo Prefecture's Awaji Island hit 38 C. In Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, a high of 37.6 C was recorded.
The soaring temperatures came a day after the Kanto region was hit with sudden heavy downpours and thunderstorms, causing widespread disruptions in transportation and forcing the cancellation of the popular Adachi Fireworks Festival just 20 minutes before it was set to begin.