Japan Tokyo, 18th: 290 New COVID-19 Cases Reported

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] On the 18th, 290 new cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were reported in Tokyo Metropolis, Japan.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK confirmed 290 new cases in Tokyo Metropolis on that day. For three consecutive days, the daily new cases in Tokyo have exceeded 200. There were 286 cases on the 16th and 293 cases on the 17th.

In the past week, the number of confirmed cases increased by 1,502. As a result, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Tokyo Metropolis rose to 9,223.

Across Japan, nearly 1,700 new cases were reported over the past three days.

Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Minister in charge of COVID-19 measures, said about the COVID-19 situation in Tokyo, "We are strengthening our sense of crisis very much," and added, "We will do our utmost to secure the medical provision system to protect lives."

Despite the rapid increase in confirmed cases, the Japanese government has not declared a state of emergency again. The government plans to proceed with the 'Go To Travel' policy, which reimburses about half of travel expenses with coupons, as scheduled on the 22nd, causing controversy. However, Tokyo Metropolis has been excluded from the campaign. Japanese media have urged reconsideration of the 'Go To Travel' project itself. Some have cynically referred to it not as 'Go To Travel' but as 'Go To Trouble.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.