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July 05, 2025
 

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FLU

A busy street in Tokyo on Dec. 30. The number of influenza patients per clinic, on average, in the final week of December was the highest since health ministry records began in 1999.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 10, 2025
Japan's health ministry reports record-high flu cases
In the week through Dec. 29, the total number of reported flu cases was nearly three times the number from the same period in 2023.
Authorities are calling for utmost vigilance as Japan heads into the New Year holiday season, when many people plan getaways.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 27, 2024
Flu cases surge above ‘warning’ levels in much of Japan
An estimated 1.67 million people became sick and sought medical care from doctors in the week through last Sunday.
From Dec. 9 to Dec. 15, there were 94,259 flu cases reported across some 5,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide, according to the health ministry.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 24, 2024
Health ministry urges caution as flu cases rise nationwide
There were 94,259 cases of the flu reported across some 5,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide in the second week of December.
Cold medicine packages at a drug store. Japan has faced unseasonal and larger-than-usual outbreaks of infectious diseases over the past year after the COVID-19's downgrade to the same level as flu.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 7, 2024
Anti-infection measures still needed, one year after COVID-19 downgrade
Despite the drop in COVID-19 cases, childhood infectious diseases and the flu have spread in the country over the past year.
According to the latest data, new COVID-19 cases reported in the week to Feb. 11 stood at 13.75 per institution.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Feb 24, 2024
Number of COVID-19 and flu cases remain high in Japan
Per-institution new flu cases in Japan came to 23.93 in the week to Feb. 11, up for the fifth straight week.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 9, 2023
Drug shortages create challenge for Japan as influenza cases rise
Amid an earlier-than-usual start of the flu season, a type of flu medicine for children is experiencing a supply shortage as cases rise.
Japan is facing a serious shortage of generic drugs.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 22, 2023
Serious generic drug shortage hits Japan amid flu spread
The supply of cough medicines, in particular, has fallen by 15% compared with levels before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the ministry.
According to data released Friday, by prefecture, Okinawa had the highest per-institution number of flu cases, at 25.37, followed by Chiba with 20.86, Saitama with 19.69 and Ehime with 18.45. The per-institution number exceeded 10 in 17 of the country's 47 prefectures.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 21, 2023
Flu cases top warning level in Japan as major outbreak feared
Cases at a number of medical institutions monitored nationwide topped 10 per location, indicating the possibility of a major outbreak within four weeks.
People visit the area near Sensoji Temple, a popular tourist destination, in Tokyo's Asakusa district on Sept. 7.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 25, 2023
Japan's schools face double whammy of the flu and COVID-19
In the period between Sept. 11 and 17, the average national influenza case count rose to over 7.03 per medical institution from just 4.48 the week prior.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 15, 2023
Flu season already in full swing in Japan
The season has begun earlier than usual, with a number of schools either suspending individual classes or closing entirely.
JAPAN
Jun 28, 2023
Japan's next flu season may begin two months earlier than usual
People's immunity to influenza declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relaxation of infection prevention measures, such as wearing masks, has allowed the virus to spread.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 8, 2023
COVID-19 is still deadlier for patients than flu
COVID-19 isn’t 'just a flu,” with a study of hospital patients finding that the virus was still 60% deadlier than influenza last winter.
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 19, 2023
Japan on high alert as avian flu rages across the country and heads north
Amid egg shortages and soaring prices, how worried should people be about the potential impacts of bird flu on human health?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Feb 28, 2023
Japan health ministry panel endorses nasal flu vaccine for children
Based on the results of a clinical trial involving children in Japan, the panel agreed that FluMist Quadrivalent is safe and effective in preventing the flu.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 25, 2023
WHO raises concern after father of girl who died from bird flu tests positive
One of the worst global avian influenza outbreaks on record has seen tens of millions of poultry culled, mass wild bird die-offs and a rising number of infections among mammals.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 5, 2023
Flu spreading fast in northeastern and eastern Japan
Cases per monitored medical institution reached 4.21 in Toyama Prefecture, the highest by prefecture and well above the flu season threshold of threshold of 1.0.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 29, 2022
Japan weighs lowering COVID-19 classification by spring at earliest
COVID-19 is currently classified in Category II, the second highest in the five-tier system based on severity and infectiousness.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2022
COVID-19 cases on the rise as Japan enters the holiday season
JTB estimates that about 21 million people will travel domestically, up 16.7% from the previous year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2022
Flu epidemic declared in Tokyo and five other prefectures
Japan did not experience a flu season over the past two years and the number of people with immunity is believed to have fallen significantly.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 29, 2022
Health ministry to allow sales of COVID-flu dual test kits via pharmacies and online
Through the move, the ministry hopes to lighten burdens on medical institutions amid concerns about a 'twindemic' this winter.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
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Longform

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By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning
Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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