Take care in heat, PM says from Japan

Malcolm Turnbull might be thousands of kilometres away in cooler Japan but the prime minister is warning Australians to take precautions during the extreme heat engulfing the south-east of the continent.

People in bushfire-prone areas should implement their fire plans and keep watch over elderly neighbours, Mr Turnbull urged from Tokyo where he is due to meet Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

"Given the extreme heat ... and its likelihood of continuing over the next few days, it is absolutely imperative that everybody takes all precautions they can to protect lives and property," he said.