Japan's COVID-19 New Cases Exceed 5,000 for Four Consecutive Days... Total Deaths Near 10,000

Residents wearing masks to prevent COVID-19 are shopping at Kuromon Ichiba Market in western Osaka, Japan. As the spread of COVID-19 shows no signs of slowing, Osaka Prefecture has decided to request the government to declare a state of emergency. Currently, Osaka Prefecture is under "Priority Measures to Prevent Spread," which is the step before a state of emergency. (Photo by AP. Yonhap) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan continues to surge day by day.

According to NHK broadcast data, on the 24th, 5,606 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed nationwide in Japan, marking the fourth consecutive day with over 5,000 cases. This number is the highest in more than three months since January 21, when the second state of emergency was in effect in the Tokyo metropolitan area (5,664 cases).

By region, among the 47 prefectures nationwide, four areas?Osaka (1,097 cases), Tokyo (876 cases), Hyogo (635 cases), and Kyoto (174 cases)?where the third state of emergency will be enforced from the 25th, accounted for half (2,782 cases) of the total. The number of cases in Osaka, where the variant virus has spread, exceeded Tokyo’s for the 26th consecutive day.

As of this day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases rose to 564,460. The total number of deaths increased by 53, reaching 9,938, bringing the figure close to the 10,000 mark.

The Japanese government will declare the third state of emergency from the 25th to the 11th of next month in four metropolitan areas including Tokyo to curb the spread of COVID-19. This is just over a month since the state of emergency in Tokyo was lifted on the 22nd of last month.

In the emergency areas, governors of the metropolitan governments can request or order shortened business hours (until 8 p.m.) or closure of multi-use facilities such as restaurants. Establishments serving alcohol or equipped with karaoke facilities must close, and large stores such as department stores, shopping centers, large retail stores, and cinemas will also close. However, places handling essential daily goods are excluded from closure.

Residents are advised to avoid going out as much as possible, and measures to reduce office attendance by 70% through telecommuting will be implemented at workplaces. In principle, all professional sports games such as baseball and soccer will be held without spectators.

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