National
Pandemic deaths in Japan low, but future success uncertain
Japan has kept its deaths from the new coronavirus low despite a series of missteps that beg the question of whether it can prevent future waves of infections. Authorities were criticized for bungling a cruise ship quarantine and were slow to close Japan's borders. They have conducted only a fraction… Read
Japan's coronavirus entry ban disrupting lives of foreign residents
Kady, a 32-year-old who works as a copywriter in Osaka, flew back to her home country of Britain in December to attend to personal matters. She planned to return to Japan in mid-May and already had a flight booked. But her plans were upended when the Japanese government added Britain… Read
Gov't panel calls for revealing cyberbullies' names, phone numbers
A government panel agreed Thursday that victims of cyberbullying should have the right to ask website and social media operators as well as internet service providers to disclose names and phone numbers of those who made defamatory posts. But while the communications ministry panel also called for discussing how to… Read
Japan's crowded trains spark fear of new coronavirus cases
As Japan returns to work from coronavirus restrictions, its notoriously crowded trains - almost a symbol of its celebrated work ethic - are raising fears about a resurgence of infections. Authorities in Tokyo had hoped to solve the problem of crowded commuting with staggered hours and remote working but the… Read
Japan to give $300 million for vaccinations in developing countries
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that Japan will provide about $300 million to a global organization dedicated to increasing access to vaccinations in developing countries. The financial support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will be extended for five years from 2021 to make contributions to global public health efforts,… Read
Foreigners with humanitarian needs will be exempt from Japan re-entry ban
Foreign residents of Japan who should be allowed back into the country on humanitarian grounds will be exempt from the country's entry ban, the Justice Ministry has said. The move comes amid confusion among Japan's international community regarding travel restrictions put in place to prevent the novel coronavirus from being… Read
Japan pushes homegrown vaccines for coronavirus to secure supply
Japanese drugmakers are accelerating their development of vaccines for the coronavirus even as foreign rivals seem to be leading the global race, with the government pushing homegrown efforts to secure stable supplies for the country. Around 125 vaccines are currently under development globally, including 10 in human testing as of… Read
Tokyo issues alert after 34 coronavirus cases confirmed
Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike issued a warning Tuesday amid signs of a possible resurgence of coronavirus infections, as 34 cases were newly reported in the Japanese capital. The warning she calls a "Tokyo alert" serves as a call for caution. But if the number further increases, the Tokyo government plans… Read
AINU trademark application in China criticized by Japan's indigenous people
An application by an individual in China to register a trademark using the name of Japan's indigenous Ainu people has been criticized for being an attempt to profit off their culture. Documents disclosed by the Japan Patent Office showed Wednesday that an application was lodged to trademark "AINU" for products… Read
Okayama to join other Japan cities issuing LGBT certificates
The city of Okayama in western Japan says it will issue certificates recognizing same-sex partnership starting July 1 to couples living in or planning to move to the city. It will join nearly 50 other local governments in the country issuing similar certificates to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples… Read
