Japan's New COVID-19 Cases Exceed 200,000 for the First Time Since August...

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan has exceeded 200,000.

On the 21st, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that the number of new COVID-19 cases surpassed 200,000 for the first time in about four months. On that day, the number of new cases in Japan was 206,943, an increase of 16,100 compared to a week earlier.

This is the first time since August 25, four months ago, that new cases in Japan have exceeded 200,000. Tokyo Metropolis recorded 21,186 cases, surpassing 20,000, while Osaka Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture each reported more than 10,000 cases.

Among the confirmed cases, the number of severe and critical patients was 530, an increase of 37 from the previous day.

Earlier, on the 15th of last month, the daily new cases in Japan exceeded 100,000, and within about a month, they have surpassed 200,000, showing a sharp increase in cases during the year-end and New Year period, which involves many gatherings and events.

The Japanese government, despite the spread of COVID-19, has not imposed restrictions on movement or requests to refrain from business operations, but recommends wearing masks and ventilating spaces.