Japan's health ministry said it's ready to respond to up to 900,000 coronavirus and influenza patients a day in the event of a double outbreak.

The ministry, earlier, estimated that daily coronavirus cases would reach a peak of 450,000, and the number of people contracting influenza would rise to 300,000 per day.

Japan's Defense Minister says Self-Defense Force medical staff will be sent to Osaka Prefecture early next week to help deal with a surge in coronavirus infections.

Kishi Nobuo told a news conference on Friday that Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi had made an official request for SDF nurses.

Japan's government plans to ask prefectures to send nurses and doctors to each other to ease the serious strain on hospitals treating coronavirus patients.

Government officials plan to launch a framework for inter-prefectural cooperation by seeking the support of the National Governors' Association.

A nationwide survey shows that hospitals and clinics in Japan are experiencing shortages of disposable medical gloves.

In the spring, amid the initial spread of coronavirus infections, nurses and other healthcare professionals faced severe shortages of personal protective equipment.

Japan's defense minister has ordered the Self-Defense Forces to send medical teams to a city in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido to help deal with a surge in coronavirus cases.

Kishi Nobuo said at a news conference on Tuesday that he received an official request from the governor of Hokkaido for a dispatch of SDF medical personnel to Asahikawa City.

People with intractable diseases in Japan want the government to ensure sufferers of all illnesses can receive care during the coronavirus pandemic, which is putting an increasing burden on the medical system.

The Japan Patients Association, which comprises 93 organizations of patients with intractable or chronic illnesses, submitted an urgent request earlier this week.

The head of the Japan Medical Association has suggested the current nationwide surge in newly confirmed coronavirus cases could be a third wave of infections in the country.

Association President Nakagawa Toshio told reporters on Wednesday that there have been clear signs of a resurgence in infections since last month. He added that the situation in Hokkaido is particularly worrisome.

A flower park north of Tokyo is honoring Japan's medical workers with a dazzling display of lights.

Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture kicked off the annual illumination event on Saturday with five million lights decorating the grounds.

Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has returned to work after undergoing medical checks at a Tokyo hospital.

Abe broke a record on Monday, becoming the longest-serving Japanese leader in terms of 2,799 consecutive days in office.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko has called on the central government to help ensure that the capital can provide sufficient medical care for coronavirus patients.

Koike on Friday held talks separately with the minister in charge of the coronavirus response, Nishimura Yasutoshi, and with health minister Kato Katsunobu.

An NHK survey shows the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa has the nation's highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the preceding seven days. Officials of the southern island prefecture warn the local medical system remains under strain.

The survey put the figure for Okinawa at about 18 as of Saturday, followed by Tokyo at 16, Fukuoka and Osaka prefectures at 14, and Aichi Prefecture at 13.

A survey has found that nearly 30 percent of healthcare workers in Japan who have had experience with coronavirus patients were depressed.

The Japanese Red Cross Medical Center conducted the survey in April and May, when infections were spreading around the country. About 850 doctors, nurses and clerks at the hospital responded.

Japanese rugby player Fukuoka Kenki says he will follow through with his decision to become a medical doctor. In return, he has given up on playing for the Japanese Rugby Sevens squad in next year's Tokyo Olympic Games.

In last year's Rugby World Cup, the 27-year-old speedster stood out for scoring four tries, that contributed to Japan's historic run to the quarterfinals.

Japan's leading talent agency, Johnny & Associates, will supply thousands of pieces of medical gear to hospitals struggling with the coronavirus pandemic and suffering a chronic shortage of such equipment.

The agency says it is making use of the ties it has fostered with the Chinese people over the years to purchase equipment from the country.