On July 20, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced the end of the rainy season in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions of eastern and central Japan.

The agency said the Pacific high-pressure system is strengthening further and stable summer weather is expected to continue in eastern Japan.

In both the Kanto-Koshin region consisting of Tokyo and surrounding prefectures and the Tokai region centered on Nagoya, the rainy season ended one day later than the seasonal average.

On July 21, temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius or higher in parts of Gifu and Aichi prefectures in central Japan.

These were the country’s first readings of 40 degrees or more this year.

Officials warned that dangerously hot weather is expected to continue through around July 24 across wide areas of the country.

They are urging people to limit the time they spend outdoors and to stay hydrated, whether indoors or outdoors, to prevent heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.