Japan Eases Quarantine Measures in May, COVID-19 Monthly Death Toll Exceeds 10,000 for the First Time

Citizens of Tokyo, Japan, wearing masks on their way to work. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Japan, which plans to manage COVID-19 like seasonal influenza (flu) starting this May, has recorded over 10,000 monthly COVID-19 deaths for the first time.

According to Kyodo News on the 28th, Japan reported 252 COVID-19 deaths on that day, bringing the cumulative death toll for the month to 10,124. The number of new confirmed cases on that day was 54,843.

The Japanese government decided to downgrade COVID-19 to category '5', the same as influenza, starting May 8.