Tokyo: More than 100,000 people were hospitalized due to heatstroke in Japan this summer, marking the first time the number has topped the 100,000 mark in the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported on Tuesday that 100,143 people were sent to hospitals with heatstroke across Japan from May through September 28, as stated by broadcaster NHK World Japan. This is the first time the figure has exceeded 100,000 since 2015, when the survey period was expanded to include May. This year's total also surpassed the previous record of 97,578 recorded last year.

A total of 116 patients died from heatstroke this year, while 36,448 others developed serious symptoms requiring hospitalization. The elderly, aged 65 or older, accounted for 57,235 cases, which is more than half of the total number of hospitalizations.

Last month, Japan's Meteorological Agency announced that the country experienced its hottest summer on record this year. The agency noted that the nation's average temperature for June, July, and August was 2.36°C higher than the 30-year average through 2020, marking the highest level since records began in 1898.