This electron microscope photo provided by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases shows the coronavirus isolated at the facility. (Photo Courtesy of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan has confirmed 18 cases of the Eta variant of the coronavirus, a health ministry tally showed Thursday, the first such infections reported in the country.

       The variant has been detected in a number of countries since December. The tally as of Sept. 3 also showed that the Kappa variant, first detected in India, had been confirmed among 19 people in Japan.

       A case of the Kappa variant outside of quarantine was confirmed in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, in June.

       Both strains are currently designated as variants of interest by the World Health Organization.

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