Japan heat wave pushes temperature to record high 41.1°C

An intense heat wave in Japan pushed temperatures to 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday in a city northwest of Tokyo, marking a record high for the country, the weather agency said.

The high temperature was recorded in the city of Kumagaya, in Saitama prefecture, topping the previous high of 41°C in the western prefecture of Kochi in August 2013, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, reports Reuters.

Kumagaya is about 65 kilometres (40 miles) northwest of Tokyo.

Hundreds of people have been rushed to Japanese hospitals with heat stroke symptoms in the more than week-long heat wave. Deaths have been reported almost every day, according to an Associated Press report.

Japan's Kyodo News agency has tallied more than 40 deaths in Japan so far.

Authorities in Japan warned people to stay inside and use air conditioning.