National
Recovery efforts continue in southwest Japan after heavy rain
Recovery efforts continued Saturday in Japan's southwestern region of Kyushu, battered by torrential rain a week ago that caused deadly flooding and landslides, with at least 14 people still missing. The disaster has left 63 people confirmed dead, and more rain is expected across wide areas of the region. Assistance… Read
Tokyo reports 206 new coronavirus cases
Tokyo reported on Saturday 206 new coronavirus infections, topping the 200 mark for the third straight day, an official said. The single-day figure is down from the record of 243 set Friday, when Japan relaxed its guidelines for holding large sporting and other events, despite rising fears over a second… Read
Japan to begin Go To Travel Campaign on July 22
Japan will begin a subsidy campaign on July 22 to boost domestic tourism hit by the coronavirus, the tourism minister said, although concerns remain over a resurgence of infections. The Go To Travel Campaign will eventually subsidize up to half of expenses, including accommodation and transport fees, with the government… Read
Gov't urges Tokyo host, hostess clubs to act to stem coronavirus spikes
Authorities will conduct coronavirus testing in Tokyo's nightlife districts, where infections have surged again, and are urging nightclub hosts and hostess to follow advice on safely interacting with customers, officials said on Friday. Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who leads Japan's pandemic response, said after meeting Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike and… Read
Japan to discuss easing travel ban with China, S Korea, other countries
Japan is looking to begin discussions with around 10 countries and regions including China, South Korea and Taiwan next week on easing travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Japanese government sources said Friday. The talks are expected to prioritize allowing businesspeople to enter, with other… Read
Is that hand strap clean? Tokyo Metro sprays silver to fend off coronavirus
As global public transport operators look for ways to keep the coronavirus at bay on planes, trains and buses, one of Japan's biggest rail firms is betting on the anti-microbial properties of silver to keep passengers safe on the world's busiest subway. Tokyo's labyrinthine rail network of about 900 stations… Read
Japan braces for more heavy rain as death toll rises to 66
Parts of Japan where people were evacuated or stranded by deadly floods and mudslides were bracing for more pounding rains through the weekend. The death toll has risen to 66 as of Friday morning, with 16 others still missing, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. Most of them are… Read
Tokyo's daily coronavirus infections hit new record of 243
The number of daily new coronavirus infections in Tokyo reached a new single-day record of 243 on Friday, Gov. Yuriko Koike said, marking the second consecutive day of over 200 new cases in the capital. The latest figure tops the single-day record of 224 set the previous day, which was… Read
Telemedicine shakes up Japan's health care sector
The coronavirus crisis has prompted Japan to ease regulations on remote medical treatment, creating an opening for tech companies and offering a glimpse of the future of healthcare in the world's most rapidly aging society. As coronavirus cases spiked in April, Japan temporarily eased restrictions on remote medical care, allowing… Read
Tokyo to pay nightclubs to close as virus cases surge
Tokyo unveiled plans Thursday to offer nightclubs subsidies to close as new coronavirus infections in the capital hit a single-day record, with many linked to entertainment districts. Under the plan, the Tokyo metropolitan government will give 500,000 yen to nightclubs and other venues -- including so-called host and hostess bars… Read
