Japanese hospitals reported nearly 160,000 influenza cases in the second week of this month, a high level for several weeks, according to data released by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on Friday.
Among Japan's 47 prefectures, 35 have reached the "alert" level for influenza epidemic.
Affected by the spread of influenza, a total of 8,174 nurseries, kindergartens, elementary and middle schools nationwide had been closed entirely or partially as of February 15.
Experts said that the current influenza season in Japan may last until March or April, and some patients may experience infection twice.
High level of influenza infections continues in Japan
High level of influenza infections continues in Japan
High level of influenza infections continues in Japan
China handled an estimated over 352 million cross-regional trips on Friday, the fourth day of the Year of the Horse, with a steady growth in passenger flows during the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, said transport authorities.
The figure represents a 3.7-percent daily growth from Thursday and a 12-percent increase year on year.
On Friday, the country's railway system handled an estimated 15 million passenger trips, increasing by 10.8 percent over the previous day.
In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, some parts of Urumqi, Turpan and other cities experienced strong winds on Friday, prompting local authorities to adjust operation of some trains and railway lines.
"Information of affected train services was displayed on screens in the railway station hall. Once the weather improves, we will immediately resume train operations," said He Xu, a technician at the passenger transport section of the Urumqi Railway Station.
By estimation, China's road system handled an estimated passenger volume of over 332 million trips on Friday, marking a 3.4 percent daily growth.
The civil aviation sector recorded an estimated passenger volume of 2.57 million trips, up 1.9 percent from Thursday.
The waterway system handled an estimated passenger volume of 1.93 million trips, up 5.5 percent from the previous day.
The traffic volume on China's expressway network increased slightly on Friday from the day before.
The Spring Festival, which is also known as Chinese New Year, falls on Feb. 17 this year, and the official holiday lasts nine days.
The annual travel rush, "chunyun," is often described as the world's largest human migration.
It is expected to see a record 9.5 billion inter-regional passenger trips during the 40-day period from Feb. 2 to March 13 this year.
Horse Year Day 4 records 352 mln cross-regional trips
