After experiencing the hottest June and July in its history, Japan broke 17 high temperature records today, according to the meteorological service.

Scientists say that heat waves are becoming more intense and frequent around the world due to human-induced climate change, and Japan is no exception.

The city of Komatsu, in the central region of Ishikawa, set a new record of 40.3 °C, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, quoted by AFP.

The city of Toyama in Toyama Prefecture, also in the central region, reached 39.8°C, the highest temperature since records began, according to the JMA.

Fifteen other places in cities and towns reached new records between 35.7°C and 39.8°C, added the JMA, which monitors temperatures at over 900 points in Japan.

On July 30, Japan experienced its highest temperature ever recorded: 41.2°C in the western region of Hyogo.

The rainy season ended about three weeks earlier than usual in western Japan, which is also a record.

Due to low rainfall and heat, several reservoirs in the northern region are almost empty, the Ministry of Agriculture said, and farmers are concerned that water shortages and extreme heat could lead to poor harvests.

Experts warn that cherry trees, beloved by the Japanese, are blooming earlier due to the warmer climate and sometimes do not bloom fully because autumn and winter are not cold enough to trigger flowering.

The famous snow cap on Mount Fuji was absent for the longest recorded period last year, appearing only in early November, compared to the average date in early October.

This year, Japan experienced its hottest June and July since records began in 1898, with the meteorological service warning of more "extreme heat" in the coming months.

The rate of temperature increase around the world is not uniform.

According to global data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), since 1990 the fastest warming of the continents has been observed in Europe, followed by Asia. | BGNES