Japan had its hottest July on record last month, when it hit the highest national monthly average temperature in 126 years.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says a high-pressure system over the Pacific Ocean intensified during July, raising temperatures nationwide, driving up heat to dangerous levels.

The national average temperature that month rose 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than usual. That's the highest since record keeping began in 1898.

The national average set a new record high for the second straight year.

By region, the average temperature in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami region in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan as well as that in eastern Japan were the highest since record keeping began there in 1946. Regions in western and northern Japan logged the second highest.

Sixty-two out of 153 locations in the country renewed their highest records for July.

They include Obihiro City in Hokkaido, where the temperature was 4 degrees higher than normal, central Tokyo recorded 3 degrees higher and Nagoya City 2.5 degrees.

The Meteorological Agency says Japan could set new highs in the future if global warming advances. It forecasts higher-than-usual temperatures nationwide in August and warns of high risks of heatstroke. People are advised to take adequate amounts of fluid and salt to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary outings.