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Among infectious diseases that were recorded in Japan, the highest number of deaths was caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which amounted to * deaths in 2023. The number of deaths from infectious enterogastritis followed with around Ìý³¦²¹²õ±ð²õ.Ìý

 Seasonal influenza in Japan 

The influenza season in Japan typically begins in November or December and reaches its peak in the first two months of the following year. The number of deaths caused by seasonal flu in Japan has been increasing in recent years. Since 2010, more than ** million influenza vaccine units have been supplied in the country annually. Citizens aged 60 years and over are eligible to receive free periodic influenza vaccines from their municipality. Around ** million elderly have received such a free vaccination yearly.

Receding flu infections during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a partial decrease in monthly flu patients was observed in Japan. This development was partially attributed to a phenomenon called viral interference, making people less susceptible to influenza viruses in areas where the coronavirus is predominant. In case of an infection with the novel virus, infected cells secrete so-called interferon proteins, which block other viruses. Nationwide preventive measures such as face masks, home office implementation, and regulations of gastronomy opening hours had also shown a positive influence on reducing infection numbers of diseases like influenza.