Surge deepens strains on Japan hospitals

Staff shortages

In another attempt to deal with the staff shortage, Japan's government will ask prefectures to share nurses and doctors between them by launching a framework for inter-prefectural cooperation under the support of the National Governors Association.

Vital supplies are also running low. A nationwide survey carried out by Erisa Sugawara, a professor at Tokyo Healthcare University, showed that hospitals and clinics in Japan are experiencing shortages of disposable medical gloves.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they are experiencing a shortage or about to face a shortfall of disposable synthetic rubber gloves. The survey also found that 93 percent feel the situation has reached a crisis point.

"A shortage of medical gloves can lead to hospital-acquired infections," Sugawara said.

"It is no exaggeration to say that this amounts to a loss of ammunition in the battle against the virus."

Separately, the Japanese government is going to establish a health monitor center for inbound tourists in March, as it plans to accept small group tours ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Kyodo News said tourists will be required to register their passport numbers with the center's database system and input daily updates on their health condition for two weeks. Their data will be made available to public health centers, local governments, as well as the Games' venues.

Agencies contributed to this story.