A total of 10,048 people were taken to hospital with heatstroke in Japan in the week through Sunday, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said in a preliminary report Tuesday.
As temperatures soared nationwide, the weekly figure more than doubled that of a week earlier ¡ª which was 4,665 ¡ª and exceeded 10,000 for the first time since this year's records began on May 1.
Of those hospitalized last week, 5,973 people, or around 60%, were age 65 or older.
Eight people died.
About 40% developed heatstroke at home or in other residential settings.
The agency is calling on people to use their air conditioners and to hydrate frequently amid the summer heat.
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