July officially hottest since records began

Too hot to play: The hot sun shining on sunflower fields at the Kasai Rinkai Park in Tokyo. — AFP

THE Land of the Rising Sun sweltered through its hottest July since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe.

Temperatures in the country were 2.16°C higher than average, breaking last year’s record for July of 1.91°C above average.