TOKYO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Temperatures continued to soar across parts of Japan on Saturday, with the mercury topping 40 degrees Celsius for the fifth straight day in the country, according to the weather agency.

The mercury rose to 40 degrees Celsius or higher in six cities in central Japan on Saturday, including all four prefectures in the Tokai region, Shizuoka, Gifu, Mie and Aichi, marking the fifth straight day that temperatures of 40 degrees or above have been recorded in the country, the longest such streak since comparative data became available in 2010, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

Kuwana City in Mie Prefecture recorded a temperature of 40.6 degrees Celsius, while in Gifu Prefecture, the mercury rose to 40.8 degrees Celsius and 40.7 degrees Celsius in the cities of Mino and Tajimi, respectively, the JMA said.

Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture recorded 40.3 degrees Celsius, and Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture logged 40.0 degrees Celsius, it added.

Meanwhile, Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture, northeast of Shizuoka, also logged 40.0 degrees Celsius, becoming the first location outside of the Tokai region to register a "kokushobi," or a "cruelly hot day," this year, JMA data showed.

In April, the JMA introduced the term "kokushobi," which refers to days when temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius, to more effectively warn the public of extreme heat. ■