Thirty-nine prefectures in Japan on Friday recorded their highest temperatures so far this year as much of the nation continued to bake.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the heat wave is being caused by a high pressure system lingering over the Japanese archipelago.

The day's highest temperature of 39.1 degrees was recorded in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, at 1:40 p.m., the agency said.

Elsewhere, in Gifu city, the mercury shot up to 38 degrees, Nagoya and Kyoto had 37.9, Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture saw 37.1, Osaka had 36.7, Nara experienced 36.9, parts of Shizuoka and Kochi prefectures had 35.9, while in Tokyo, the temperature reached 35.4 degrees.

The agency said the extreme heat is likely to continue until Monday.

© Japan Today