Japan's Cherry Blossom<br />Viewing Season, Comes Amid Concerns, About COVID Resurgence.<br />One week after lifting COVID restrictions, people <br />across Japan are celebrating cherry blossom viewing <br />season, triggering concerns of a potential resurgence of cases. .<br />The Associated Press reports that many <br />people had avoided the national tradition for <br />the past two years due to the pandemic. .<br />The Associated Press reports that many <br />people had avoided the national tradition for <br />the past two years due to the pandemic. .<br />This year, thousands of people came to view <br />the delicate pink flowers at Chidorigafuchi Park, <br />just northwest of the Imperial Palace.<br />Sakura, commonly referred to as cherry <br />blossoms, are an iconic Japanese flower <br />and reach their peak bloom in late March. .<br />The viewing season lasts through early <br />April and coincides with the start <br />of a new school and business year. .<br />The Associated Press reports that safety measures <br />have still been put in place, including asking viewers to not <br />gather under the trees for traditional drinking parties. .<br />On March 29, Tokyo reported 7,846 new COVID-19 cases, <br />over twice the number reported the week prior.<br />According to the AP, the resurgence has been attributed to a new Omicron subvariant. .<br />On March 28, Japan logged <br />29,740 cases, bringing the country's <br />total up to approximately 6.4 million.<br />Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike attributed the increase to , “the spread of the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron that is <br />replacing the existing variant with significant speed.”
