Japan Reports Highest Ever COVID-19 Cases... "No Consideration for Business Restrictions"

Measures Announced for Additional Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers and High-Risk Elderly

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Japan's new COVID-19 cases recorded the highest number for the third consecutive day on the 22nd.

Local broadcaster NHK reported that the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases across Japan on that day totaled 195,161.

Following 152,536 cases on the 20th and 186,229 cases on the 21st, the record was broken for three consecutive days. The increase in cases is attributed to the spread of the highly contagious Omicron subvariant 'BA.5.'

Although the number of confirmed cases in Japan has surged significantly, the number of deaths and severe cases remains low, so new behavioral restrictions such as limiting restaurant operating hours are not being considered.

Instead, the Japanese government has focused on additional vaccinations for healthcare workers and elderly people at high risk of severe illness, as well as securing hospital beds. Additionally, to maintain socioeconomic activities as much as possible even if infected with COVID-19, the quarantine period for close contacts has been shortened from 7 days to 5 days.