According to the data provide by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, Japan has confirmed 21 domestic cases of influenza A (H1N1).Although the outbreak is currently limited to high schools in the Kansai region, the Japanese government thinks it is likely to expand.CECC indicated that the current epidemic situation in Japan corresponds to phase 3 of the pandemic alert level described by the Taiwanese government and CECC will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation in Japan.

CECC urged people planning to visit the Kansai Region in Japan to avoid the areas affected by the outbreak, including Hyogo High School, Kobe High School and Kansai Okura Senior High School.In addition, CECC also urged travelers to pay attention to personal hygiene and practice frequent handwashing. If influenza-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, nausea, and diarrhea, develop, please seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of the recent travel history.On the other hand, tour guides leading tour groups to Japan are urged to pay close attention to the epidemic situation in Japan and are asked to identify and report any travelers with influenza-like symptoms.

On May 17, 2009, CECC requested the Civil Aeronautics Administration to notify all the airline companies to urge any travelers with influenza-like symptoms to delay their flights or ask them to obtain a certificate that proves he/she is cleared of influenza A (H1N1) infection before boarding the plane.If a traveler on plane develops influenza-like symptoms, he/she should put on a facemask immediately and be arranged to sit as far from the other passengers as possible.Prior to landing, the airline company is required to inform the aviation unit about such passenger to facilitate on-board quarantine inspection operations due to incident reporting.Further, beginning 8am on May 19, 2007, the implementation of onboard quarantine inspection of certain flights will be suspended.