Japan Reports 1,731 New COVID-19 Cases... Highest for Three Consecutive Days

[Image source = Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Japan's new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have set a record high for the third consecutive day, signaling the full-scale onset of a 'third wave.' As a result, concerns are rising that the current government-led travel and dining promotion policy, the 'Go To Campaign,' should be suspended.

On the 14th, Japan's NHK reported that as of 6:30 PM, the number of new confirmed cases was 1,731, surpassing the previous record high of 1,705 set just a day earlier.

Accordingly, Japan's cumulative COVID-19 cases have increased to 117,971.

By region, the cases were counted as follows: Δ Tokyo 352 Δ Osaka 285 Δ Hokkaido 230 Δ Aichi 152 Δ Kanagawa 147. In the capital Tokyo, new cases have exceeded 300 for four consecutive days for the first time in about three months since August 9, showing a steep rise in infections.

Additionally, one death was reported each in Kyoto and Hokkaido on the same day, bringing the total death toll to 1,900, including 13 passengers from the cruise ship 'Diamond Princess.'

Notably, the average daily new cases in Japan over the past week until yesterday were about 1,234, an increase of approximately 500 compared to the previous week's daily average, raising concerns that the 'third wave' has effectively begun.

Due to the alarming increase in cases, the continuation of the 'Go To Campaign,' a travel and dining promotion policy recently implemented by the Japanese government to stimulate the economy, is now under serious question.

However, Prime Minister Suga responded by saying, "Experts also recognize that this is not the situation at this point," showing a firm stance against revising the plan.

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