TOKYO — Japan sweltered through its hottest July since records began in 1898, the weather agency has reported, warning of further “severe heat” in the month ahead.

Heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent the world over because of human-caused climate change, scientists say, and Japan is no exception.

The average temperature in July was up a record 2.89 degrees Celsius from the 1991-2020 average for the month, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Friday.

It was the third year in a row of record-breaking average temperatures for July, it said.

On July 30, Japan experienced its highest recorded temperature, a sizzling 41.2 degrees Celsius in the western region of Hyogo.