National
Tokyo reports 759 coronavirus cases; 1,161 in Osaka
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Saturday reported 759 new cases of the coronavirus, up 92 from Friday. Osaka once again topped the nation's count, with 1,161, surpassing 1,000 for the 5th consecutive day. In Tokyo, the number (434 men and 325 women) is the result of 9,648 tests conducted on… Read
Disabled train passengers left disconnected in age of digital smart card use
For most, the convenience of riding trains with the swipe of a smart card is taken for granted but for disabled people in the Tokyo metropolitan region, that change has yet to come. Japan's disabled, as well as accompanying caregivers, are eligible for 50 percent discounts on train fares, but… Read
Lodging houses used as morgues create unease among residents
In a quiet residential neighborhood of southern Osaka, the transition of a private house licensed to take in lodgers into a so-called "corpse hotel" has left locals up in arms. "The corpse was carried in wrapped in a cloth," a local man in his 70s recently explained as he recounted… Read
Japan to compile action plan for Fukushima water discharge this year; IAEA to be involved
The Japanese government decided Friday to compile by the end of this year an action plan for discharging treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Following the decision Tuesday to start releasing water in small amounts in about two years' time, cabinet ministers also… Read
Tokyo reports 667 coronavirus cases; 1,209 in Osaka
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Friday reported 667 new cases of the coronavirus, down 62 from Thursday. Osaka reported 1,209 cases, surpassing 1,000 for the 4th consecutive day. In Tokyo, the number (377 men and 290 women) is the result of 9,458 tests conducted on April 13. By age group,… Read
Tougher virus restrictions expanded to 4 prefectures
The Japanese government decided Friday to expand tougher COVID-19 restrictions to all three of the country's major metropolitan areas centering on Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya as infections surge less than a month after a state of emergency was lifted. Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama along with Aichi were added to the… Read
4 die in fire suppression system accident in Tokyo parking garage
Four building maintenance workers were killed Thursday in a basement parking garage in Tokyo as a fire suppression system was unintentionally activated, trapping them in an enclosed space with high levels of carbon dioxide, police and firefighters said. A total of six men were replacing ceiling linings in the parking… Read
Death of man attacked by bear sparks conversation about what to do when facing one
Close to 11 a.m. on April 10, a resident of Kushiro City in Hokkaido who had traveled to the mountains to pick edible flora with his wife was attacked by a brown bear and died shortly after. Though his wife called emergency services as soon as she heard her husband scream and… Read
Tokyo reports 729 coronavirus cases; record-high 1,208 in Osaka
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Thursday reported 729 new cases of the coronavirus, up 138 from Wednesday and the highest number since Feb 4. Osaka Prefecture once again reported the most number of cases in Japan, with a record-high 1,209. In Tokyo, the number (387 men and 342 women) is… Read
Fukushima locals criticize government for tone-deaf tritium mascot
A mascot launched by the Japanese government to coincide with its decision to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean has become the target of criticism by local residents, with many saying it is out of sync with the harsh reality of the… Read
