A health ministry panel said Tuesday that 10 of the 12 SARS cases in Japan classified as either "suspected" or "probable" are not the deadly virus, but judgment is being withheld on the remaining two cases.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry panel said, "It is difficult to decide whether (the remaining two patients) are infected with SARS."

The 12 cases of suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome were reported between April 14 and Monday.