On the 11th, Japan reports 696 new COVID-19 cases... Below 1,000 for the second consecutive day

Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] On the 11th, it was forecasted that the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan would remain below 1,000 for the second consecutive day.

According to Japan's NHK broadcast tally, 696 new COVID-19 cases were reported by 9 PM that day.

Japan's cumulative COVID-19 cases increased to 51,156, including 712 passengers from the cruise ship 'Diamond Princess,' where a cluster infection occurred last February.

Japan's daily new cases peaked at 1,605 on the 7th, then decreased to 1,568 on the 8th, 1,444 on the 9th, and 839 on the 10th.

On this day, Tokyo Metropolis reported 188 new cases, marking the second consecutive day with fewer than 200 new infections.

Tokyo's daily new cases have also been declining: 462 on the 7th, 429 on the 8th, 331 on the 9th, and 197 on the 10th.

This downward trend in cases is analyzed to be an effect of the holiday period. In Japan, the 'Obon' holiday (similar to Korea's Chuseok) began on the 8th and continues through this week. During the holiday, the number of COVID-19 tests likely decreased, which may have led to a reduction in reported new cases.