If the omicron wave in Japan is similar to that in other areas like New York, shown above, cases are not expected to decline until early February. (Source photo by UPI/Kyodo)

Japan COVID surge unlikely to ease until early February

Global data shows omicron waves take on average 27 days to peak

KENTARO TAKEDA, MINORU SATAKE and TAKESHI KUMON, Nikkei staff writers

January 26, 2022 11:05 JST

TOKYO/LONDON/CAIRO -- Japan has seen COVID-19 cases spike as the omicron variant spreads. Major cities like Tokyo saw the first sharp increase in early January, much later than cities abroad. If overseas cases are any guide, the wave of Japanese infections is unlikely to peak until early February.