Japan swelters, with western prefecture of Hyogo hitting nearly 40C

Many parts of Japan had yet another scorching day on Tuesday with the temperature reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Weather officials say a high pressure system covered many parts of eastern and western Japan, pushing up temperatures in the sunny weather.

The mercury in the city of Nishiwaki in Hyogo hit 39.5 degrees -- the highest ever recorded in the prefecture.

Daytime highs also went up to 39 in the central city of Gifu, 38.7 in the city of Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, and 38.5 in the city of Toyota, Aichi Prefecture.

Another dangerously hot day is expected on Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 38 in the cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kumamoto, among other areas.

Authorities have issued heatstroke alerts for 29 of the country's 47 prefectures.

(責任編輯：Leisure)