The number of confirmed cases of A/H1N1 influenza in Japan has risen to 193, health authorities said late on Tuesday.

In response to the rapid domestic spread of the new flu in Kansai region, Prime Minister Taro Aso said that the government needs to shift its focus from measures to block entry at borders to efforts to halt the domestic spread.

Expressing concerns over the imposition of too tight limits on people's lives and business activities, Aso said that it is hard to determine to what degree the government could implement measures.

Earlier in the day, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe said at a press conference that the virus is already spreading domestically.

In light of the latest development of the flu's transmission, Masuzoe said that the government needs to devote human resources to stop the rapid domestic spread of the new flu.

The health minister indicated that local governments may take more measures to tackle the spread of the new influenza, including hospitalizing patients and restricting people's movements or activities in particular.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2009)