Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 05, 2025 6 hours, 39 minutes ago
Medical News: The latest COVID-19 surveillance data from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reveals a concerning uptick in cases across the nation, particularly in Okinawa and among elderly demographics. Covering the 26th epidemiological week of 2025—from June 23 to June 29—the report shows signs of a potential summer surge, reigniting public health concerns as temperatures climb and tourism picks up.
Health Officials Warn That COVID-19 Infections Are Rising Once Again in Japan
According to this
Medical News report issued on July 4, a total of 5,405 new COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide at designated sentinel medical institutions, averaging 1.40 cases per reporting site. While this may appear modest compared to pandemic peaks, the nationwide rate has notably increased from the previous week’s 1.00 and is still significantly lower than the same period last year, which stood at 5.79. However, public health officials caution that the numbers are trending upward and warrant careful observation.
Okinawa Emerges as COVID Hotspot
Okinawa Prefecture stands out dramatically, reporting 505 cases—the second highest in the country in raw numbers after Tokyo (529)—but far more alarming when adjusted per facility, with an astounding 11.22 cases per site, dwarfing the national average. This figure is more than double the previous week’s 5.87 and nearly four times higher than the week before that, signaling a serious outbreak in the southern island prefecture. Officials attribute this to a mix of increased travel, tourism, and local transmission.
Other prefectures reporting significant per-site infection rates include Ibaraki (2.26), Saitama (1.87), and Kagoshima (1.89), while regions like Tottori (0.24) and Akita (0.52) remained relatively low.
Elderly and Middle-Aged Groups See Rising Hospitalizations
Hospitalization data shows 485 admissions nationwide in the last week of June, up from 334 the week before. The elderly continue to bear the brunt of severe outcomes:
-People aged 70–79 accounted for 134 admissions
-Those aged 80 and older made up 214 cases, nearly half of all hospitalizations
Overall, from January to June, over 34,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations have been recorded, with over 17,000 in the 80+ age group alone. Notably, ICU admissions reached 16 this past week, and 4 patients required ventilator support. The total cumulative ICU admissions for the year now stand at 1,304.
Younger Demographics Not Immune
While less likely to be hospitalized, younger populations also saw increases. Among children under 10, infection rates rose to 0.15 per facility, nearly double that of early June. The trend was similar for those in their 20s to 50s, all rising to 0.14–0.21 per facility.
These developments come amid ongoing adjustments to the country’s infectiou
s disease surveillance system. Since April 7, 2025, Japan has revised its sentinel reporting infrastructure to align with acute respiratory infection monitoring, affecting how data are aggregated and interpreted. Officials caution that comparisons across years or regions should factor in these methodological changes.
Health Authorities Urge Continued Vigilance
While Japan’s COVID-19 figures remain manageable compared to previous years, the uptick in cases, especially in Okinawa and among the elderly, is prompting health authorities to encourage continued preventive measures. Public health lines and consultation desks remain open for inquiries, and the next weekly update is scheduled for July 11.
With travel, summer festivals, and gatherings increasing during the warmer months, experts warn that complacency could reverse hard-won gains. They emphasize the importance of vaccination, especially booster doses for vulnerable groups, and basic precautions like mask-wearing in crowded indoor settings.
The latest COVID-19 press release by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare can be found here:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001512651.pdf
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000121431_00474.html
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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