Overview

• The health ministry says cases jumped from 4,030 in the week beginning September 22 to more than 6,000 the following week, pushing the national average to 1.56 patients per medical institution above the 1.0 epidemic threshold.
• Roughly 28 of Japan’s 47 prefectures report rising infections, with the heaviest burdens in Okinawa, Tokyo, Kagoshima and Yamagata.
• At least 135 schools and childcare facilities have closed temporarily as hospitals report overcrowded wards, bed shortages and staffing strain.
• Experts are monitoring signs the virus may be spreading more efficiently and could be less responsive to some treatments, though they emphasize this is not a new pandemic.
• Authorities have notified the WHO and are urging vaccination, mask-wearing, hand hygiene and flexible attendance policies, while travel advisers recommend routine precautions without new restrictions.