Japan's health ministry says that no monkeypox cases have been identified in Japan since it began collecting such data in 2003.

The World Health Organization declared the global monkeypox outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern" on Saturday.

Cases have been confirmed in other places in Asia, such as South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan.

Japanese law requires doctors to report cases of monkeypox to public health centers.

Health officials say no reports have been made.

They have instructed local governments to report any suspected cases and to ensure that any patients are properly hospitalized in designated medical institutions.

PCR tests can be used to identify monkeypox by analyzing the fluid in blisters.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases and local health institutions are working to set up a comprehensive testing network.