If you suffer from pollen allergies and live in eastern or western Japan, forecasters recommend starting treatment as soon as possible.
This spring's pollen season is expected to kick off in mid-February and peak in March across much of Japan, with allergy sufferers in Tokyo likely to experience the symptoms for the longest period, according to the latest projections by the Japan Weather Association.
The airborne volume of cedar and cypress pollen in most areas would be more than the 10-year average, but roughly the same level or less compared with the previous season, the association said.