National
Tokyo reports 195 new coronavirus cases
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Friday reported 195 new cases of the coronavirus, the same number as Thursday. The number is the result of 1,870 tests conducted on Sept 22. The age groups with the most cases were people in their 20s (46), followed by 40 in their 40s and 39… Read
Japanese artist creates ramen face mask to complement fogged glasses
Japanese artist Takahiro Shibata's glasses are fogging up because of his face mask - a problem familiar to many spectacles wearers during the coronavirus pandemic. But Shibata has turned the annoying side effect into a one-of-a-kind piece of art. The more his glasses fog up, the hotter and steamier the… Read
Japan may see resurgence of coronavirus cases, experts warn
Japan could face a resurgence of coronavirus infections, although the number of cases has been on a downward trend since late July, a group of experts on virus prevention said Thursday. The pace of decline in the number of new infections has been slowing recently, with some regions even marking… Read
Tokyo reports 195 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 472
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Thursday reported 195 new cases of the coronavirus, up 136 from Wednesday. The number is the result of 1,952 tests conducted on Sept 21. The age group with the most cases were people in their 20s (53), followed by 38 in their 30s. The tally brought… Read
Japanese sex business operator sues state over virus cash handout snub
A woman running a sex worker-dispatching business sued the state on Wednesday, saying its blanket exclusion of the sex industry from a cash handout program to support small companies hit by the coronavirus is discrimination banned under the Constitution. In the lawsuit filed with the Tokyo District Court, the woman,… Read
Japan plans to release refugee status seekers from detention
Japan is finalizing new supervisory measures that will allow foreign nationals applying for refugee status and expected to be in detention for more than six months to be released and have a social life, according to immigration officials. The plan by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan comes in response… Read
#MeToo movement journalist Shiori Ito, Naomi Osaka among Time's 100 Most Influential People
Shiori Ito, a journalist and symbol of Japan's #MeToo movement, and Naomi Osaka who protested racial injustice en route to her third Grand Slam title in this year's U.S. Open, were among the world's 100 Most Influential People of 2020 released Tuesday by Time magazine. Ito "has forever changed life… Read
Japan to ease entry ban to allow long-term stays from Oct 1, but not tourists
The Japanese government plans to allow more foreigners to enter for stays of three months or longer from Oct 1, sources with knowledge of the plans said Wednesday, significantly easing travel restrictions meant to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Around 1,000 foreigners would be granted entry daily under… Read
Tropical storm heads for Tokyo region
A tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean was slowly approaching the Tokyo region Wednesday, and officials are urging residents to take precautions early from expected heavy rain and gusts. Tropical Storm Dolphin headed north over waters south of the Hachijo island, packing sustained winds of up to 108 kilometers per… Read
Avigan maker Fujifilm to seek virus treatment approval after trials
The maker of anti-influenza drug Avigan said Wednesday it will apply for the medication to be approved for treating coronavirus patients after trials showed it can shorten recovery time. In a statement, manufacturer Fujifilm Toyama Chemical said its phase III trial in Japan, which began in March, was now complete.… Read
