Daily COVID-19 Cases in Japan Drop to the 300s

Effect of Two Consecutive Legal Holidays Over the Weekend
Due to Reduced Inspections and Testing
Attention on Whether Holiday Visitors Will Cause a Sharp Increase Again

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The number of new daily COVID-19 cases in Japan has fallen to the 300s for two consecutive days.

According to NHK on the 22nd, a total of 331 people tested positive for COVID-19 across Japan, including 88 in Tokyo Metropolis (as of 9 PM).

This brings Japan's cumulative confirmed cases to 80,614.

The cumulative death toll increased by 5, reaching a total of 1,532.

Japan's new COVID-19 cases had remained around 500 for six consecutive days since the 15th, before dropping to the 300s the previous day.

This is analyzed as an effect of the four-day holiday period from the weekend through the statutory holidays of Keiro no Hi and Shubun no Hi on the 21st and 22nd.

Before the holidays, the number of tests conducted decreased, leading to a decline in confirmed cases.

During this holiday, the cabinet of Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, inaugurated on the 16th, emphasized balancing infection prevention with economic revitalization, resulting in a noticeable increase in travelers nationwide.

Because of this, attention is focused on whether the number of confirmed cases will soon shift back to a rapid increase.

Kazuhiro Tateda, president of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases and professor at Toho University, said, "Due to the government's travel promotion campaign 'Go To Travel,' people's movements are expected to become more active," adding, "Everyone should maintain an attitude of suppressing infection spread by avoiding close contact with others."

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