An estimated 12,751 people were rushed to hospitals with heat-related conditions across the nation over the week from Aug. 5 of whom 23 died, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Wednesday.

The number of those taken to hospitals surpassed the 10,000 mark for the second consecutive week, although the figure dropped from the 18,347 seen the previous week, from July 29, the preliminary data showed, as severe heat continued across Japan.

Of those hospitalized last week, 400 exhibited severe symptoms that required at least three weeks of treatment as an inpatient, while 4,554 had symptoms that warranted shorter hospital stays.

Those aged 65 and older accounted for 54.9 percent of the total.

The 23 deaths were recorded in 20 prefectures outside the capital, while Tokyo had the highest number of people sent to hospitals at 1,465, followed by Saitama Prefecture at 977 and Osaka Prefecture at 897.