Large thermometer in one of Japan's hottest cities

Large thermometer in one of Japan's hottest cities

A 4-meter thermometer is set up in front of a department store on May 14, 2024, in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, known as one of the hottest cities in Japan. In July 2018, the mercury hit 41.1 C in the eastern Japan city, which was the country's highest-ever temperature but was also recorded in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, in August 2020.

Large thermometer in one of Japan's hottest cities

Large thermometer in one of Japan's hottest cities

A 4-meter thermometer is set up in front of a department store on May 14, 2024, in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, known as one of the hottest cities in Japan. In July 2018, the mercury hit 41.1 C in the eastern Japan city, which was the country's highest-ever temperature but was also recorded in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, in August 2020.

Scene in Tokyo

Scene in Tokyo

Combined photo shows a scramble crossing in Tokyo's Shibuya district under a state of emergency on May 14, 2020, (top) and the same place on May 8, 2023, (bottom) after coronavirus was reclassified and put in the same category as seasonal flu.

Scene in Tokyo

Scene in Tokyo

Combined photo shows a scramble crossing in Tokyo's Shibuya district under a state of emergency on May 14, 2020, (top) and the same place on May 8, 2023, (bottom) after coronavirus was reclassified and put in the same category as seasonal flu.

New coronavirus

New coronavirus

TOKYO, Japan, May 14 Kyodo - People wearing face masks walk near JR Shinjuku Station in Tokyo on May 14, 2020, ahead of the scheduled lifting later in the day of a coronavirus pandemic state of emergency in 39 of Japan's 47 prefectures.