National
Last trains in Tokyo area to leave earlier from Wed night to help stem virus surge
Twenty-five train operators in the the Tokyo metropolitan area will move up their last departure times by around 30 minutes from Wednesday night to help stem the spread of the resurgent coronavirus. The schedule change comes after the governors of Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba and… Read
Tokyo reports 1,240 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 5,295
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Tuesday reported 1,240 new cases of the coronavirus, up 36 from Monday. The tally brought Tokyo's cumulative total to 87,914. The number (662 men and 578 women) is the result of 6,994 tests conducted on Jan 16. By age group, the most number of cases… Read
3 men found dead inside tent in Chiba forest
Three men were found dead inside a tent in a forest in Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture, on Monday morning. Police said the men had gone into the mountains on Sunday to go duck hunting, Sankei Shimbun reported. An acquaintance, looking for them, discovered the trio collapsed inside their tent around… Read
Japan finds COVID-19 variant in 3 people with no record of travel to UK
Japanese doctors have detected a fast-spreading variant of the new coronavirus first discovered in Britain in three people who had not travelled there, the Health Ministry said on Monday. The three, aged from their 20s to their 60s and living in Shizuoka Prefecture, about 200 km west of Tokyo, first… Read
Japan to study cases of people infected after coronavirus vaccination
Japan plans to collect data from people who become infected with the novel coronavirus even after they receive vaccinations to assess how vaccines may help prevent the spread of the virus, sources close to the matter said. Inoculations are expected to start in Japan possibly in February. The health ministry… Read
Tokyo reports 1,204 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 4,925
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Monday reported 1,204 new cases of the coronavirus, down 388 from Sunday. The tally brought Tokyo's cumulative total to 86,674. The number (608 men and 596 women) is the result of 8,206 tests conducted on Jan 15. By age group, the most number of cases… Read
In Tokyo, some drink on despite gov't request for bars to close at 8 p.m.
For Yuki Hamazono, it was a relief to find bars and restaurants in Tokyo flouting the Japanese government's request to close by 8 p.m. The 30-year-old financial trader was one of many people out in the Shimbashi nightlife district during the first weekend of an expanded state of emergency, with… Read
Student not covering nose with mask disqualified from taking university exams
A student taking Japan's standardized university entrance exams was disqualified Saturday for refusing to cover his or her nose with a facial mask in violation of rules set by the exam operator to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The operator said Sunday the test-taker in Tokyo disobeyed exam supervisors'… Read
No. of hospitalized coronavirus patients at record high in Japan
More than 5,700 new coronavirus cases were confirmed across Japan on Sunday, with the number of hospitalized patients with serious symptoms topping 970 to hit a record high, authorities said. The daily increase of infections compares with rises of more than 7,000 marked Friday and Saturday, a Kyodo News tally… Read
Cherry blossom forecast 2021 released: Sakura set to bloom early in Tokyo again this year
Despite the distinct chill in the air, and masses of snow covering some of Japan’s coldest areas, spring is actually just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start making plans for the sakura cherry blossom season. Helping out in that regard is Japanese weather forecasting company Weathernews, who just released… Read
