Influenza outbreaks in Japan started in late September, earlier than usual, partly due to increases in cross-border travel amid a tourism surge. According to the health ministry, the number of flu patients reported by monitored medical institutions in the week to Oct. 26 was 6.29 per facility.
Influenza outbreaks in Japan began in late September 2025, earlier than usual, marking the second earliest increase in 20 years excluding the yearlong 2023-24 season. The patient count exceeded 1.0 in late September, signaling the start of flu season according to health ministry data.
Reports from regularly monitored medical institutions nationwide showed 6.29 flu patients per facility in the week ending Oct. 26. By prefecture, Okinawa led with 19.40, followed by Tokyo neighbors Kanagawa at 11.88, Chiba at 11.82, and Saitama at 11.73. This uptick is partly attributed to rising cross-border travel fueled by a tourism surge.
Basic preventive measures, such as handwashing, wearing masks in crowds, and frequent ventilation, are effective against infection. Keywords include flu, vaccinations, COVID-19, health, and TOURISM. The article was published by The Japan Times on Nov. 4, 2025.