Swine Flu Still On The Rampage In Japan

Japan has reported 178 swine flu infections on Tuesday and closed more than 4,043 schools, colleges and kindergartens for the rest of the week to slow the spread of the virus, officials said. With the reported figure, Japan is now in the number 4 slot globally in terms of infections count.

The impromptu school break has caused karaoke clubs fill up with students and their friends as schools remain shut.

In Osaka and Hyogo prefectures, firms with infected staff told workers to stay home.

The biggest threat, experts warned is when the infections get to other regions including the capital Tokyo, which with almost 36 million people is the world's most populous urban area and the heart of the Japanese economy.