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Coronavirus cases in Japan have climbed to 23,802, with new infections reported in the Yamaguchi Prefecture of Honshu, the country's largest and most populous island and home to the Japanese capital of Tokyo.
The prefecture confirmed at least three new people were infected, including two men and one woman. The two men were reportedly in contact with a man who traveled across the country for the filming of the video, which was posted on YouTube under the name "Hezu Maryu," according to Japan's Kyodo News.
The man was confirmed as infected in the Aichi Prefecture of the island on July 15, local officials confirmed. He was said to have met with the two men at a restaurant in the prefecture on July 10, while the woman happened to be at the same restaurant, Kyodo News reported.
Yamaguchi Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka revealed the places the men had visited in the prefecture at a press conference. He asked for those who have been in contact with the men to get in touch with the public health center.
There are 40 confirmed cases in the Yamaguchi Prefecture, Kyodo News reported.
The latest new cases follow a recent outbreak of infections at U.S. military bases in Japan, including three linked to a base in the Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that a U.S. couple and their daughter lied about their travel plans after entering the country, The Japan Times reported Wednesday.
The three, who flew from the U.S. to Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Sunday and were tested for the virus, reportedly told authorities they'd travel to U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni using a rented car.
However, they instead flew to Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport on Monday before the test results were available, defying military guidelines banning them from using public transport, The Japan Times reported.
Defense Minister Taro Kono noted: "It's an extremely disappointing situation. We have requested the U.S. side dole out a strict punishment and prevent a recurrence of this."
Muraoka said Tuesday the incident was "very regrettable," adding "I want people to follow rules."
The Yamaguchi prefectural government confirmed it would be tracing those who had close contact with the family at both airports and during their flight.
Local authorities on Wednesday also confirmed 36 new cases at Camp Hansen, a U.S. Marines base in the Okinawa Prefecture, bringing the total cases at American military facilities on the island prefecture to 136, The Japan Times reported.
Over 13.8 million people across the globe have been infected since the virus was first reported in Wuhan, China, including 3.5 million in the U.S. More than 7.7 million globally have reportedly recovered from infection, while over 589,900 have died as of Thursday, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the countries with the most COVID-19 cases.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates U.S. states where reopenings have been stalled or reversed.
The graphics below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in Read more