Japan bore grueling summer heat on August 5, as some areas topped 41 degrees celsius.

Temperatures in the City of Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture reached 41.8 degrees Celsius, making it the highest-ever temperature recorded in Japan.

The town of Hatoyama in Saitama Prefecture also saw temperatures reach 41 degrees Celsius.

A heat stroke alert was issued in 44 prefectures, the largest number since the system was launched.

Weather officials asked people to refrain from going outside as much as possible, stay in cool places and take other countermeasures against heatstroke.

Parts of northern Japan saw torrential rain due to the influence of a front and low pressure system.

Hokkaido’s Kushiro City saw 60 mm of rainfall in an hour, the highest amount ever recorded.  

Weather officials called on people to stay alert for mudslides and flooding in Tohoku and Hokuriku areas where huge rainfall was expected.