TOKYO -- Temperatures soared across Japan on July 14 as a high-pressure system covered a broad swath of the country from east to west. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, by 1 p.m. Fuchu had recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius, Nerima Ward 36.6 C and Hachioji 35.9 C -- all in Tokyo. It marked the capital's first "extremely hot day" of the year, defined as a day with temperatures of 35 C or higher.

By 2 p.m., temperatures had reached 38.3 C in Hamamatsu's Tenryu Ward in Shizuoka Prefecture, 38.2 C in Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture, 37.9 C in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, and 37.5 C in Mino, Gifu Prefecture.

Of the nation's 914 observation points, 147 had recorded temperatures of 35 C or higher by 2 p.m., the most this year. A total of 591 locations recorded "midsummer day" temperatures of 30 C or higher, including those 147 locations.

(Japanese original by Kengo Miura, Tokyo City News Department)