Hokkaido in Northernmost Japan Hit by Unusual Summer Heat

   Sapporo, Aug. 13 (Jiji Press)--An unusual scorching heat that hit the northernmost Japan prefecture of Hokkaido in July has severely affected residents' health and the local dairy industry.
   According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the temperature hit a record high of 39 degrees Celsius in Kitami on July 24, while Obihiro marked 38.8 degrees the same day, tying the city's record.
   In Hokkaido, the average temperature in July was 4.8 degrees higher than normal.
   The prefecture said that 2,066 heatstroke sufferers were taken to hospital between May and July, up from 951 in the same period last year.
   The heat has affected dairy farms, a main industry of the prefecture.

(2025/08/13-12:36)