The Japanese government revised its policies on fighting against the A/H1N1 flu due to relatively low fatality, even though the number of confirmed cases in Japan has rapidly risen to 302.

The new policy, intended to allow for more flexible responses to minimize the impact on people's daily lives and business activity, regroups affected areas into two -- one with a limited number of confirmed infections and the other where infections are spreading rapidly, Kyodo News reported.

It also puts an end to onboard checks of passengers on flights from North America to Japan.

The new government policy, based on the cases observed so far, says new-flu patients may be treated similarly to those who come down with seasonal flu, except for people concurrently having chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma.

In rampant infection areas, milder symptom patients are allowed to be treated at home and general practitioners, besides designated hospitals, may admit patients if steps are taken to prevent the disease from infecting others inside the institution.

Japan has conducted onboard inspections of passengers on all flights that arrived at its three major airports from the United States, Canada and Mexico since April 28. Passengers who tested positive have been quarantined, while those sitting around them onthe same flight have been isolated for seven days.

The government on Friday also lifted its suspension of visa waivers for Mexicans wishing to enter Japan, the Foreign Ministry said. Japan suspended the visa waiver system on April 28.

The government also revised its advisory for Japanese nationals wishing to travel to Mexico, the country worst hit by the H1N1 strain of influenza A, and for Japanese living there, the ministry said in a press release.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2009)