Japan's Yamagata and Fukushima regions face extreme heat warnings

Forecasts for early July indicate that temperatures across Japan's Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures will rise well above seasonal averages, with several locations expected to record true summer days (30 °C+). In Yamagata City, forecasts predict highs of 34 °C on July 10 and 35 °C on July 16, marking the potential start of the year's first severe heatwave. In Fukushima, Aizuwakamatsu and Kitakata are predicted to reach 31 °C and 30 °C respectively on July 8, prompting tourists on local attractions such as Mount Iimori to adopt sun protection measures.

Authorities and weather services advise residents and visitors to take heatstroke precautions, including staying hydrated, using air‑conditioning, wearing hats and applying sunscreen. The unusually high heat is attributed to a strong Pacific high‑pressure system extending southward, leading to sustained humid and sweltering conditions throughout the period.