Japan Reports 3,881 New COVID-19 Cases... Highest Record for 4 Consecutive Days

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Japan's new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases have set a daily record for the fourth consecutive day.

According to NHK on the 27th, 3,881 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed across Japan the previous day. This broke the highest record for four consecutive days, with Japan's COVID-19 cases being 3,270 on the 23rd, 3,740 on the 24th, and 3,831 on the 25th.

As a result, Japan's cumulative COVID-19 cases increased to 219,146.

The number of COVID-19 deaths rose by 47 to 3,247. As of the previous day, the number of severe cases was 654, the highest since the COVID-19 outbreak began.

With the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and the confirmation of infections from the UK variant, the Japanese government has implemented a measure to basically refuse new entries of foreigners.

The Japanese government made an emergency announcement last night that it will temporarily suspend new entries of foreigners from all countries and regions from the 28th of this month until the end of January next year.

Regarding COVID-19 entry restrictions, Japan had allowed new entries of foreigners with mid- to long-term residency status worldwide since October.

However, as cases of the highly transmissible variant COVID-19 have been confirmed one after another in various countries, Japan decided not to accept them for the time being.

However, "business travel" will continue to be allowed for 11 countries and regions, including South Korea.

The Japanese government also decided to suspend from the 28th of this month until the end of January next year the special entry restriction easing measures that exempt short-term self-quarantine for Japanese nationals or foreign residents in Japan returning or re-entering (applicable to foreigners) after short overseas business trips.

Additionally, during the same period, Japanese nationals or foreign residents in Japan entering from countries where COVID-19 variants have emerged will be required to provide proof of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure and will undergo additional testing upon entry.

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