Japan brings out 'special' umbrellas for kids amid heatwave

The heatwave in Japan has compelled the authorities to shield its children from the harsh sun. Children living in Japan's hottest city Kumagaya will be provided with special umbrellas amid a summer that saw record-breaking temperatures in many parts of the country.

The umbrellas are made of yellow fibreglass and can withstand mercury levels up to 35 degree Celsius. The 336 gram city-made umbrellas will be distributed to about 9,000 primary school children next week.

Though it's not the first time that the city has asked its children not to step out in the afternoon. For the past two years, kids have been instructed to stay indoors amid the sweltering heat that recorded highest temperature partly due to downslope winds.

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The recent measures have emerged in the wake of a premature end to the rainy season in many party of Japan. Earlier this year, the government had warned millions of people in Tokyo to save energy or reduce energy consumption by turning off their lights not in use.

The country had battled its worst heatwave in 1875 owing to a dry rainy season.