Japan's Cherry Blossombr Viewing Season, Comes Amid Concerns, About COVID Resurgence.br One week after lifting COVID restrictions, people br across Japan are celebrating cherry blossom viewing br season, triggering concerns of a potential resurgence of cases. .br The Associated Press reports that many br people had avoided the national tradition for br the past two years due to the pandemic. .br The Associated Press reports that many br people had avoided the national tradition for br the past two years due to the pandemic. .br This year, thousands of people came to view br the delicate pink flowers at Chidorigafuchi Park, br just northwest of the Imperial Palace.br Sakura, commonly referred to as cherry br blossoms, are an iconic Japanese flower br and reach their peak bloom in late March. .br The viewing season lasts through early br April and coincides with the start br of a new school and business year. .br The Associated Press reports that safety measures br have still been put in place, including asking viewers to not br gather under the trees for traditional drinking parties. .br On March 29, Tokyo reported 7,846 new COVID-19 cases, br over twice the number reported the week prior.br According to the AP, the resurgence has been attributed to a new Omicron subvariant. .br On March 28, Japan logged br 29,740 cases, bringing the country's br total up to approximately 6.4 million.br Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike attributed the increase to , “the spread of the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron that is br replacing the existing variant with significant speed.