TOKYO, June 20 (Xinhua) -- One person has died from suspected heatstroke in the central Japanese prefecture of Gifu, as a heatwave continued to grip much of the country, local media reported Friday.

A 90-year-old man was found lying in a field in the town of Ikeda on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to a hospital but later pronounced dead, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Meanwhile, as of 9 p.m. local time on Thursday, 100 people in Tokyo aged between 11 and 97 had been taken to hospital for suspected symptoms of heatstroke, the report said, citing local fire department officials.

The officials said one of them is in critical condition, while two others are in serious condition.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the mercury soared across the country on Thursday due to a high-pressure system prevailing over a wide area, with some places having recorded 35 degrees Celsius or higher for the third consecutive day.

Temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or higher were recorded at 598 locations, or about two-thirds of more than 900 observation points across Japan, while temperatures of 35 degrees or higher were logged at 56, the JMA said. ■