A group of cancer patients across Japan has asked the government to ensure that they can receive care amid concern that hospitals are under growing strain due to the surge in coronavirus cases.

The Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups wrote in a letter to the government that if the pandemic continues putting strains on the healthcare system, treatment for cancer patients may be canceled or suspended. This could result in a severe deterioration of patients' health.

Data released by a group of researchers show the average 10-year survival rate of cancer patients in Japan stands at 58.3 percent.

The group analyzed data samples of more than 94,000 people who were diagnosed with cancer at 21 cancer treatment institutions across the country between 2004 and 2007.

A group of researchers in Japan says it is using immune cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, in a clinical trial for cancer treatment.

The researchers say the clinical test started this month at Chiba University Hospital, near Tokyo, and is the first in the country to apply iPS cells to treat cancer.

A new survey shows that an increasing number of cancer patients have refrained from going to see doctors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But it also shows that some were able to cope with anxiety with better information.

Japanese swimming star Ikee Rikako has invited media to view her training in a pool after her treatment for leukemia.

Ikee revealed her leukemia diagnosis in February last year. The 19-year-old left hospital last December and resumed training in mid-June after a pause due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Japanese director Obayashi Nobuhiko, who produced a series of hit movies featuring youths in his hometown of Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, has died of lung cancer.

Obayashi died at his home in Tokyo on Friday. He was 82.