More than 5,000 people were taken to hospitals due to heatstroke in Japan

More than 5,000 people were taken to hospitals due to heatstroke in Japan last week, the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported.

According to the ministry, five of the 5,122 people hospitalized between August 17 and 23 died.

 In recent weeks, temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several regions.

Among those taken to hospitals, 24,769 were aged 65 or older, accounting for more than 60 pct of the total. Seventy-nine people were confirmed dead.