Tokyo reported 352 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, topping the 300 mark for a fourth consecutive day, the first such streak since early August, while some prefectures saw record numbers in what experts say could be the third wave of the pandemic in the country.
Chiba Prefecture, which neighbors Tokyo, logged a record 88 cases in a single day, while Shizuoka reported 35, also a daily record for the central Japan prefecture.
These numbers come after the country saw a record number of daily infections for two days in a row through Friday. According to a Kyodo News tally, the nationwide figure came to 1,704 on Friday following 1,660 the previous day.
Despite a resurgence of coronavirus infections, people in Japan continued to head to popular tourist spots as the country entered the weekend following the two record-breaking days.
People head to the Tokyo Disney Resort on Nov. 14, 2020. (Kyodo)
Some travelers, however, said they are apprehensive about the spike in the number of infections.
“I thought the number of infected people would decrease when I bought my ticket a month ago,” said a 17-year-old high school student who came with a friend to JR Maihama Station to go to the Tokyo Disney Resort. “I am worried to some extent.”
Japan confirmed 1,704 new cases on Friday, topping the previous record high of 1,660 marked a day earlier, with health experts warning of a possible “third wave” of infections as the winter season approaches.
The number of new cases has increased especially in urban areas, such as Tokyo and Osaka, as well as the country’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, a popular tourist spot that recorded more than 200 cases for the second day in a row on Friday.
“There is a higher risk (of contracting the virus) in Hokkaido considering the population ratio, but I need to be cautious no matter where I am,” said Mitsuo Masuda, who arrived at New Chitose Airport with his family.
In Osaka, many people formed a line to enter Universal Studios Japan. A 20-year-old university student from Tokyo, who came to the western Japan city on an overnight bus, said, “I’m concerned that the number of cases has increased in both Tokyo and Osaka. But I think (the park) has put in place good measures against the virus, so I want to have fun.”
On Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he will maintain the government’s “Go To Travel” subsidy campaign to support domestic tourism, despite the spike, and denied the need to declare another state of emergency.
The Japanese government has aimed at striking a balance between curbing the spread of the COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by the virus and keeping up social and economic activities since it lifted a state of emergency in May.
Before Thursday, the previous single-day record of 1,597 new cases nationwide was logged on Aug. 7.
People wearing face masks head to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on Nov. 14, 2020, amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the country. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
