People in Japan experienced their hottest July on record this year, with no respite in sight for some.
Officials warn that the northern and western regions of the country will continue to see "severe heat" in August.
Japan's average monthly temperature in July was 2.89 degrees Celsius higher than the 1991-2020 average for the same month, the nation's meteorological agency said on Friday.
On July 30, Japan experienced its highest ever recorded temperature — 41.2 Celsius (106.2 Fahrenheit) in the western region of Hyogo.
Early end to rainy season
This is the third record-breaking July Japan has seen. The average monthly temperature reached new heights in 2023, 2024, and now in 2025.