Influenza Cases Surge Sevenfold, 900 Schools Close... Japan in Turmoil Over Outbreak

Influenza patients in Japan surge 7.3-fold in a year
937 schools and childcare facilities closed
Weak yen draws more South Korean visitors
Check outbreak conditions before traveling

Influenza is spreading earlier than usual in Japan, prompting health authorities to raise the alarm. In early October, the number of patients per medical institution nationwide exceeded the threshold for an advisory, and schools and childcare facilities have continued to suspend classes and close individual classes. With the recent weakness of the yen drawing more South Korean travelers to Japan, domestic travelers are urged to take precautions.

A children's hospital crowded even on Sundays. Yonhap News

42,320 patients... 937 schools and childcare facilities closed

According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 42,320 influenza patients were reported by designated medical institutions nationwide from September 28 to October 4. The average number of patients per medical institution was 11.35, up about 58% from 7.17 the previous week and 7.3 times the figure for the same period last year. This was the first time this season that the number exceeded 10 per medical institution, the threshold for an advisory in Japan.

By region, Okinawa had 37.07 patients per medical institution, exceeding the alert threshold of 30. Saitama had 19.66, Chiba 18.72, Kanagawa 18.51, and Tokyo 15.87, all above the national average.

Closures at schools and childcare facilities also increased. During the same period, 937 facilities suspended classes or closed entire grades or individual classes, about six times the previous week's figure and more than four times the figure for the same period last year. Class closures were the most common, at 758, followed by 171 grade closures and eight full-facility closures.

Unusually early outbreak began in late August... Weak yen and prolonged rain may also be factors

The influenza outbreak began unusually early this year. On August 28, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that the country had entered an influenza epidemic phase. This was the second-earliest start since statistics began in 1999, about a month earlier than last year.

Travelers head to the departure area at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. Kyodo-Yonhap News Agency

Experts have suggested that the increase in foreign tourists and prolonged rainfall may have contributed to the spread. About 4.95 million tourists from Southeast Asia and East Asia visited Japan in July and August, accounting for 75% of all foreign visitors. One analysis suggests that viruses circulating in those regions may have entered Japan.

In Tokyo, it rained for 35 consecutive days through September 30. Spending more time indoors makes it easier for infections to spread in crowded spaces such as classrooms and offices.

"I've booked a trip to Japan"... South Korean travelers should take precautions

The spread of influenza coincides with a period of strong demand among South Koreans for travel to Japan. As the yen has remained weak, with the exchange rate falling to the 800-won range per 100 yen, demand for travel to Japan and currency exchange has also increased. In July, the five largest domestic banks exchanged 31.5 billion yen from won, the highest monthly amount in 19 months.

From January through August this year, air passenger traffic between South Korea and Japan reached 21.3 million, up 20.3% from the same period a year earlier. About 850,000 South Koreans visited Japan in August, the largest number of visitors among all countries and regions. Given the large number of travelers, visitors may be exposed to infection locally, so it is advisable to check outbreak conditions in the areas they plan to visit.

Wash hands and ventilate rooms... Stay home if symptoms develop

Influenza causes symptoms such as a sudden high fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and cough. The virus can be transmitted from one day before symptoms appear until three to seven days after the illness begins, and is particularly contagious during the first one to three days after onset. Children, older adults, and people with chronic conditions should watch for complications such as pneumonia.

Older adults and people with underlying conditions should consider vaccination. Because it takes time for immunity to develop after vaccination, getting vaccinated before the outbreak intensifies is recommended. Washing hands, ventilating indoor spaces, and observing cough etiquette can help; wearing a mask in crowded places is also beneficial. If symptoms such as a fever or cough develop, staying home can help prevent the infection from spreading to others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.