Mar 13 (NHK) - The number of new coronavirus cases in Japan is slowly trending downward. Over 9,100 new cases were reported in the capital on Saturday. That is about 1,600 fewer infections than the capital recorded one week ago.
The central government plans to monitor the situation as hospital bed occupancy rates remain high in some prefectures, such as Osaka and Kanagawa.
It will seek the opinions of local government officials to decide whether it will lift the measures or not. It will also take case rates into account before a final decision is made.
The authorities recorded over 55,000 new infections in Japan on Saturday. They also recorded 141 deaths. More than 1,200 people were reported to be seriously ill.