TOKYO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 144 to 13,585, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities Monday evening.

A security guard wearing a face mask stands in front of a Shinkansen bullet train upon its arrival at Tokyo Station on April 25, 2020, amid concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (Photo: AFP)

The figures included 39 new infections in Tokyo and 35 in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido.

The nationwide death toll from the virus has now increased to a total of 396, including those from a cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo, the latest figures showed.

In Tokyo, the epicenter of Japan's outbreak, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 3,947, accounting for more than one-third of all the COVID-19 cases across the nation, followed by Osaka Prefecture with 1,521 infections.

Kanagawa Prefecture, meanwhile, has recorded 958 infections, Saitama Prefecture 819 infections, Chiba Prefecture 814 cases, Hokkaido Prefecture 650 infections, while Hyogo Prefecture has recorded 629 cases of COVID-19, according to the latest figures Monday.

The ministry also said that in total, 3,554 people have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved, according to the latest figures.