As the country prepares for the full throttle of pollen season, data released by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government shows that the allergen may be dispersing at a higher rate than usual this year, particularly in western Tokyo, making hay fever symptoms stronger for many.

As of Thursday, over 50% of the maximum amount of cedar and cypress pollen forecast for the season up to early May had already been observed in the Tama area in western Tokyo, according to data released by the metropolitan government¡¯s public health bureau.

Across all observation points in the Tama area ¡ª including the cities of Ome, Hachioji, Tama, Machida, Tachikawa, Fuchu and Kodaira ¡ª a total of around 42,000 pollen per square centimeter have been recorded between Jan. 5 and Thursday.

During the same period of last year, only around 4,500 per square centimeter had been recorded, meaning that the levels are around 10 times of what they were the previous year.

In Tachikawa, as much as 97% of the season¡¯s predicted total have already been detected, while in eastern Tokyo the rates are less than 20%.

Cedar pollen was first observed this year in Tokyo on Feb. 13, the same day as last year and around the same time as the average year, indicating that although the dispersion did not necessarily start early, it is accelerating at a quicker pace than usual.

Although the hay fever season will continue, this could mean that it will die down earlier than in previous years, according to Tenki.jp, a weather forecasting site run by the Japan Weather Association.

The Tokyo government estimates that this year¡¯s pollen levels may be around 1.4 times of those last spring. Compared with an average year, it is expected to be 10% higher across all of Tokyo and 20% more in the Tama region.

The most recent Environment Ministry data from 2019 estimates that around 42.5% of the population in Japan has some form of hay fever. The number of those who struggle with the allergy has been on a consistent rise over the years ¡ª in 1998, the percentage of population affected was only 19.6%.

People who suffer from hay fever are advised to wear a mask and glasses when going outdoors, as well as remove pollen on their clothes and thoroughly wash their hands upon returning home. Reducing alcohol consumption, refraining from smoking and having a balanced diet can also help mitigate allergic reactions.