The average temperature in Japan between June and August "was 2.36 °C higher than the average, making it the hottest summer since measurements began in 1898," according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

"This was the third consecutive summer with record temperatures," the JMA added, quoted by AFP.

During the same period in South Korea, the average temperature was 25.7 °C, "the highest since data collection began in 1973," the Korea Meteorological Administration said in a statement.

The previous record for the same period was 25.6 °C, set last year.

In Japan, the heat led to the hospitalization of about 84,521 people nationwide between May 1 and August 24, a slight increase compared to 83,414 people hospitalized during the same period in 2024, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. | BGNES