National
Japan expands COVID state of emergency to 3 areas near Tokyo and Osaka
Japan expanded Monday a COVID-19 state of emergency covering the capital and Okinawa to include Osaka and three prefectures near Tokyo due to a recent spike in coronavirus cases amid fears of a medical system collapse during the Olympics. The government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has added Chiba, Kanagawa,… Read
Tokyo reports 2,195 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 8,393
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Monday reported 2,195 new coronavirus cases, down 863 from Sunday. The average for Tokyo over the past seven days stands at 3214.4. People in their 20s (773 cases), their 30s (520) and their 40s (336) accounted for the highest numbers, while 258 cases were aged… Read
Japan starts giving COVID-19 shots to citizens temporarily returning
The Japanese government on Sunday started administering COVID-19 vaccine shots at Narita and Haneda airports to citizens who are returning from abroad temporarily to be inoculated. Those subject to the inoculations include people living in places that use vaccines not approved by Japan as well as residents of some developing… Read
Heatwave hits Hokkaido ahead of Olympic marathon
Japan's northern Hokkaido region was supposed to offer cooler climes for this week's Olympic marathons and race walks, but now the area is battling a heatwave. Olympic organizers moved the two events from Tokyo in 2019, worried that even shifting the start times to dawn would not be enough to… Read
Chiba Prefecture closes beaches until Aug 31
Chiba Prefecture closed its public beaches on Monday after the central government’s decision to place the prefecture under a state of emergency on Friday. Prefectural officials said 11 beaches will be closed until Aug 31 when the state of emergency is scheduled to be lifted. Beaches were crowded on Sunday… Read
Tokyo Olympics CEO says COVID cases at Games 'within expectations'
The COVID-19 situation among Tokyo Olympic athletes and staff has been "within expectations," the CEO of the organizing committee said Sunday, insisting that there is no link between the games and surging infections in the Japanese capital and beyond. "We are conducting more than 30,000 tests every day, quickly isolating… Read
Tokyo reports 3,058 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 10,177
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Sunday reported 3,058 new coronavirus cases, down 1,000 from Saturday. The average for Tokyo over the past seven days stands at 3105.0. People in their 20s (1,146 cases), their 30s (634) and their 40s (433) accounted for the highest numbers, while 375 cases were aged… Read
Fukushima laments a recovery without Olympic witnesses
The bus transporting Olympic officials and media from downtown Fukushima to the suburban Azuma Baseball Stadium features a slickly produced video boasting of the region's recovery from a devastating 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. It includes images of ruin and reconstruction, recognition of the more than 30,000 people still… Read
Princess Mako's boyfriend considers working at U.S. law firm
Kei Komuro, the boyfriend of Princess Mako of Japan, is considering working at a law firm in New York, having graduated from law school there in May, according to sources close to the matter. Komuro's planned marriage with the niece of Emperor Naruhito remains in limbo following reports that his… Read
Tokyo reports record high 4,058 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 12,341
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Saturday reported a record high 4,058 new coronavirus cases, up 758 from Friday. The average for Tokyo over the past seven days stands at 2920. People in their 20s (1,484 cases), their 30s (887) and their 40s (583) accounted for the highest numbers, while 507… Read
