Japanese weather officials are urging people to stay on the alert for heatstroke as sweltering conditions continue to grip wide areas of the country.

The Meteorological Agency says that on Saturday temperatures soared above 38 degrees Celsius in the western cities of Kurume and Kyoto.

Officials say the extreme heat will likely continue on Sunday, with 38 degrees forecast for the two cities, 37 degrees for Osaka, and 34 degrees for central Tokyo.

They are calling on people to take precautions against heatstroke, including staying hydrated, avoiding outside activities, and using air conditioners appropriately.

The officials are also warning of sudden changes of weather, such as localized thunderstorms and gusts of wind.