High levels of PM2.5 particulate matter were recorded Friday in parts of western Japan, prompting the city of Fukuoka to issue a warning amid growing concern that the pollution crisis in China will keep affecting Japan.

In Osaka Prefecture, PM2.5 levels of 35 micrograms per cu. meter or more were recorded at noon at 14 of 17 monitoring stations, with the highest level reaching 58 micrograms per cu. meter of air.

The city of Fukuoka issued a PM2.5 alert in the morning after levels of 38.3 micrograms per cu. meter were recorded, warning those with respiratory ailments and allergies to be careful.