Japan COVID-19 New Cases at 16,000 Level... Highest Monday Count

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Japan's new COVID-19 cases reached the 16,000 range on the 23rd.

According to NHK, as of 6 p.m. that day, the number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed across Japan was counted at 16,841. This is an increase of 1,989 compared to a week ago, marking the highest number recorded on a Monday.

Japan's cumulative COVID-19 cases have risen to 1,322,945. The cumulative death toll increased by 32 to 15,683.

The Japanese government is considering expanding the areas under the state of emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga discussed the issue of expanding the state of emergency with related ministers, including Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura and Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura, that evening.

The areas under consideration for additional expansion include Hokkaido, Gifu Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, and Mie Prefecture, with a decision expected as early as the 25th. Currently, a state of emergency focusing on measures to suppress population movement has been declared in 13 metropolitan and prefectural governments, including Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture.