Correspondent
Osaka's governor is warning that a surge of coronavirus infections is pushing the prefecture's hospitals to crisis point. There have been more than 1,000 new cases for three days in a row - accounting for a quarter of the nation's daily tally.
Osaka is among six prefectures that recently tightened coronavirus prevention measures, yet infection numbers continue to rise.
Juso Hospital, one of the largest facilities in the prefecture, has a dedicated coronavirus ward with 70 beds for patients. As of Thursday, 58 were occupied. The facility is designed for patients with moderate symptoms, but is accommodating some with more serious symptoms who couldn't find beds elsewhere.