Five Consecutive Days of Over 2,000 New COVID-19 Cases in Japan... Tourist Spots Crowded During Holiday

2168 New Cases on the 22nd... Spread in Osaka, Tokyo, and Others
Suga: "We Will Respond to Alleviate Public Anxiety"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan has exceeded 2,000 for five consecutive days, spreading at a very rapid pace. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated that they are exercising maximum caution and will implement measures focused on high-risk infection situations in a short period to prevent medical institutions from becoming overloaded.

According to NHK on the 23rd, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan the previous day was recorded at 2,168. This brought the total cumulative cases in Japan to 133,829. The death toll increased by 7 in one day to 2,001. The daily number of new cases in Japan has remained in the 2,000 range for five consecutive days through the 22nd.

By region, Osaka alone reported 490 new cases in one day, followed by Tokyo with 391 and Hokkaido with 245. Since the 23rd was a public holiday for "Labor Thanksgiving Day" following the weekend, there is concern about the potential spread of COVID-19 during the three-day holiday period. Foreign media reported that some tourist spots and downtown areas were crowded with tourists.

The Japanese government is responding passively to COVID-19, citing the need to balance economic stimulus and quarantine measures. Although the number of confirmed cases has significantly increased compared to when the government declared a state of emergency in April, this is not being taken into account. Additionally, the domestic travel promotion policy "Go To Travel," implemented as part of economic stimulus, remains in place with some modifications rather than being withdrawn.

At a symposium held in Tokyo on the same day, Prime Minister Suga emphasized, "Under unpredictable circumstances, it is first necessary to focus on a short period to prevent medical overload and implement measures focused on high-risk infection situations." He added, "Protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people is our responsibility," and stated, "Since the people are carrying various anxieties due to COVID-19, we will respond one by one to alleviate them as much as possible."

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