More than 18,000 people affected by heat in Japan over a week, 45 die

Almost 18,600 people were taken to hospitals in Japan with heat strokes between July 20 and 26, 45 of whom died.

The number of victims exceeds the previous week's figure by more than 7,700 and became the highest in 2026, the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which oversees ambulance operations, reported.

Of those taken to hospitals with heat strokes, more than 710 people were hospitalized for more than three weeks. Almost 58% of the victims are people aged over 65.

In Japan, temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius were recorded in some areas for five consecutive days starting July 21.