Japan's health ministry says coronavirus infections are edging up nationwide.

Officials say about 5,000 medical institutions reported 17,864 new cases for the seven-day period through May 28.

The figure is up 411 on the week before, and is the eighth straight week-on-week increase.

Officials say cases were up in 25 of the country's 47 prefectures. Those that reported an increase include Okinawa, Iwate and Yamanashi.

The number of new hospitalizations during the same week dipped by 117 to 3,235.

Ministry officials say the government will closely monitor the situation, even though the numbers are relatively low.

Authorities lifted almost all COVID restrictions in early May.