Japan Surpasses 5,000 New COVID-19 Cases in a Day for the First Time in 3 Months

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Japan's new COVID-19 cases have exceeded 5,000 for the first time in three months.

On the 21st, NHK reported that as of 8 PM, 5,291 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed across Japan. This is the first time since January 22 of this year that the number of new cases has surpassed 5,000.

Accordingly, Japan's cumulative COVID-19 cases have increased to 548,256. The death toll also rose by 49, reaching 9,786.

By region, Osaka Prefecture recorded the highest increase with 1,242 new cases. This was followed by Tokyo Metropolis with 843 cases and Hyogo Prefecture with 563 cases.

Japanese media expect the Japanese government to declare a state of emergency on the 23rd for three metropolitan areas: Osaka Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, and Hyogo Prefecture. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also stated in response to reporters' questions that "there was a request for a (state of emergency) declaration first from Osaka and Hyogo," and "I received a report that Tokyo is reviewing (the request)."

Due to the serious spread of COVID-19 within Japan, Prime Minister Suga's overseas visit schedule has also been canceled. According to Kyodo News and others, Prime Minister Suga had originally planned to visit India and the Philippines from the end of this month to early next month, but the schedule was canceled.