While Prime Minister Kishida has not formally declared a sixth wave, it is apparent that the nation is now in the midst of one.
A pre-emergency is in effect for Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures due to a surge in new hospitalizations. Most of the new cases are the omicron variant. What distinguishes them from other prefectures is they are home to major U.S. military bases. On Jan, 11, “U.S. Forces, Japan” (USFJ) announced 3,638 “current active cases” across 19 major bases in Japan. Over 2300 news cases were reported by USFJ in Okinawa alone. The total number of cases, the percentage of omicron, and details by specific location are unknown.
The initial confirmed cases of omicron in Japan were Japanese nationals and foreign residents arriving at international airports, and the first was a Namibian diplomat on Nov. 30. But the first significant community infections were reported in Okinawa by civilian workers at U.S. Marine Corps base Camp Hansen and their Japanese family members.