Seven nurses from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force are being sent to two medical centers in Osaka Prefecture to help deal with a surge in coronavirus infections at the request of the prefectural government.
A departure ceremony was held on Monday at Camp Itami of the GSDF's Middle Army in Itami City in Hyogo Prefecture.
Hospitals across Japan are under growing strain due to the surge in coronavirus cases.
The health ministry says that as of Wednesday, there were 7,826 inpatients with COVID-19 symptoms. That was a rise of more than 1,800, or 32 percent, from a week earlier.
The Tokyo Metropolitan government confirmed more than 500 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday -- breaking a record set only a day earlier. The capital also raised the pandemic alert to its highest level, but it's unclear what effect that will have on daily life.
Experts told officials Thursday that infection is now spreading rapidly. And the surge in cases isn't confined to Tokyo.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu says the government is on the highest alert following the recent nationwide surge in coronavirus infections and is taking steps to curb the spread.
Kato was speaking at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Stocks were up sharply in Tokyo on Monday after Joe Biden's victory in the US presidential election ended the uncertainty during the vote count.
The benchmark Nikkei Average ended the morning session at 24,799, up 473 points or 1.95 percent compared to Friday's close. The Nikkei extended its gain this month to about 8 percent and is at the highest level in 29 years.
Officials in Japan reported over 1,000 new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row. In particular, the northern prefecture of Hokkaido is under the spotlight as infections there are surging.
Hokkaido Governor Suzuki Naomichi said, " We are deeply alarmed by this danger. Winter is coming, so this is a crucial time as we work to keep the outbreak in check."
Public health experts in Japan are urging people to take anti-infection measures ahead of winter in response to surging coronavirus infections in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido.
After the nationwide state of emergency was lifted in late May, the daily tally in Hokkaido hovered around 30 until early October. But the number rose to 51 on October 23, the highest since April.
NHK has learned that Tokyo officials estimate the number of coronavirus tests needed per day will be 7.5 times current capacity if the flu spreads in the capital.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government made the estimate at the request of the central government.
More than 1,200 new cases of coronavirus infections were reported across Japan on Tuesday. In the past month, the number of people being treated in hospitals has surged more than five times.
Tokyo has the most infections. A total of 309 were reported on Tuesday--- the 8th straight day the capital's tally topped the 200 mark.
Health officials say the number of coronavirus patients receiving treatment at hospitals across Japan has shot up more than five-fold in the space of just one month.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said on Tuesday that 4,034 in-patients were in hospital for treatment as of July 29. This compared to 696 in-patients four weeks earlier, on July 1.
An aquarium in Okinawa has been temporarily closed after the southern island prefecture declared its own state of emergency amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
Officials at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in the town of Motobu say the facility will be closed from Sunday through August 15 to help prevent infections.
Authorities in Tokyo say 47 people tested positive for the coronavirus Sunday. It was the first day in six weeks the number of new infections in the capital topped 40.
32 of them were traced to nightlife entertainment establishments.
Japanese government officials say a growing number of face masks are showing up on online auction and shopping sites. The surge comes ahead of a legal amendment that will ban reselling the items.
The officials at the industry ministry say hoarders are fetching high prices for the masks, amid a serious shortage.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered a government task force to prepare for a potential surge in the number of people infected with the new coronavirus.
Abe told the task force on Sunday that the situation has entered a crucial phase after cases with unknown infection routes were reported in multiple regions of the country.