Japan confirms first case of Omicron variant

People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus walk along a street in Tokyo (Koji Sasahara/AP)

Japan has confirmed its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant after a test on a visitor who recently arrived from Namibia in southern Africa.

Chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the man in his 30s tested positive on arrival at an airport on Sunday and was isolated and is being treated in hospital.