Scorching sunshine beat down across eastern Japan on Saturday, with the mercury nearing 40 C in some parts as hot, humid air streamed into the Japanese archipelago from the south, the Meteorological Agency said.
Warm winds pushed temperatures up to record levels across the eastern part of Honshu, with temperatures rising to 39.7 C in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, and 37.8 C in downtown Tokyo.
Kumagaya residents braved the hottest day on record for September and the second hottest day the city has ever seen.