Japan is facing an escalation of flu outbreak, as cases in 39 of the country's 47 prefectures have already exceeded the warning level, according to data released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on Friday.
The data showed that a total of 196,900 flu cases were reported by thousands of designated medical institutions across Japan during the week from November 17 to 23, averaging 51.12 cases per facility, and far exceeding the warning level of 30.
Meanwhile, the number of new cases had increased for 14 consecutive weeks.
Japanese media reports indicate that the current transmission rate is nearing historical peaks observed at the end of last year.
Particularly severe outbreaks are being observed in Miyagi, Fukushima, and Iwate prefectures, where each designated medical institution reports more than 80 flu cases every week.
As a result of the flu outbreak, a total of 8,817 childcare centers, kindergartens, as well as primary and secondary schools across Japan had either fully closed or suspended classes for certain grades or classes as of last Sunday.
This year's flu season, officially declared on October 3 by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, began approximately one month earlier than last year and marks the second earliest time since the current statistical method was introduced in 1999.
Flu outbreak escalates in Japan as cases surpass warning level
Flu outbreak escalates in Japan as cases surpass warning level
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing said Tuesday that China is willing to collaborate with all parties to ensure nuclear energy better supports the development and prosperity of all nations.
Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during the second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris which he attended as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative.
Zhang said China has always adhered to a sensible, coordinated, and balanced nuclear security strategy proposed by President Xi and has made concrete contributions to promoting the global development of nuclear energy.
China is willing to work with all parties to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, and promote nuclear energy innovation-driven development, safety foundation building, industrial collaboration and win-win cooperation, so that nuclear energy can better benefit the development and prosperity of all countries, he said.
Zhang noted that China stands ready to join hands with all parties to make new contributions in building a clean, beautiful and sustainable world and a community with a shared future for humanity.
Heads of state, government leaders and senior representatives from over 30 countries, as well as heads of relevant international organizations, attended the summit and issued a joint statement titled "Safe and affordable nuclear energy for all."
Chinese vice premier calls for global nuclear cooperation
