Posted in: 30% of tourists to Japan experienced overtourism problems in 2024 See in context
I went to Nasu highland park last summer with the kids in our annual trip to Japan. There was almost nobody there which was perfect but at the same time I am worried that places like that cant keep going for long. They need to lure foreign tourists also to more remote location. This helps to combat overtourism in Tokyo and also to keep rural tourists spots alive.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: Russia to halt peace treaty talks with Japan over sanctions See in context
Recently it has become very clear that negotiations with Russia mean nothing. They say one thing and do the other.
6 ( +9 / -3 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 17,433 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 84,934 See in context
Testing is not important anymore. No point wasting resources to detect mild/asymptomatic cases. We cannot trace and prevent spreading of omicron anymore since it's everywhere and spreads fast. Test only people who need to be hospitalized because of severe symptoms.
3 ( +6 / -3 )
Posted in: Japan to cut quarantine days for COVID close contacts to 7 from 10 See in context
Always several steps behind but good decision.
16 ( +22 / -6 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 8,638 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 46,199 See in context
With Omicron there is no point testing everyone. It's waste of resources. It can't be stopped anyways. Test only those who have severe symptoms or need to be hospitalized. Obviously detected cases are just the tip of the iceberg.
1 ( +7 / -6 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports record high 7,377 new coronavirus cases See in context
Open borders. Border restrictions do not matter since Omicron is already widespread.
2 ( +8 / -6 )
Posted in: COVID vaccination requests at work pose worry in Japan's booster push See in context
Everybody should definitely get vaccinated to prevent serious illness but vaccines do not prevent spreading of covid Omicron variant.
-4 ( +4 / -8 )
Posted in: Over 500 people taken to hospitals in Tokyo after falling due to snow See in context
Riding a bike in the snow is perfectly normal but perhaps you shouldn't do it if you are not used to it.
-1 ( +2 / -3 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 641 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 4,475 See in context
Is there any info whether these are delta or omicron?
0 ( +3 / -3 )
Posted in: Japan to simplify immigration procedures for wealthy travelers See in context
So rich people don't transmit covid?
-4 ( +1 / -5 )
Posted in: Japan to tighten entry rules for 3 more African nations See in context
This variant is already everywhere.
0 ( +0 / -0 )
Posted in: Scholars urge Japan to restart issuing visas to foreign students See in context
Covid-19 is here to stay. How many years will Japan be closed? Better start opening borders already since this is the new normal.
2 ( +3 / -1 )
Posted in: Gov't to shorten quarantine period for vaccinated travelers See in context
Very small step in the right direction but doesn't help much. Eventually we have to continue our lives. Covid is not going anywhere. In my opinion all restrictions should lifted after everyone has had the opportunity to get two doses of vaccination
2 ( +6 / -4 )
Posted in: EU reinstates travel ban from Japan due to surge in coronavirus cases See in context
EU countries decide on their own so this is more like advice. Check the country specific regulations. Many allow fully vaccinated to enter without any restrictions.
5 ( +5 / -0 )
Posted in: Japan considering vaccine passports for commercial activities See in context
By the end of the year we should have such a good vaccination coverage that all restrictions should be dropped.
2 ( +5 / -3 )
Posted in: Suga to resign; says he couldn't run for reelection and handle virus response See in context
How about electing a young woman as a leader?
16 ( +35 / -19 )
Posted in: Japan weighs mixing and matching COVID vaccines See in context
Mixing vaccines has and is being done in Europe. There should be plenty of data available. To my knowledge it might be even boost the Immunity.
-2 ( +2 / -4 )
Posted in: Japan to begin accepting requests for vaccine passports from July 26 See in context
Why they have to request it? Simply give it automatically.
16 ( +22 / -6 )
Posted in: Johnson says UK must live with virus as he eases restrictions See in context
After full vaccination risk of serious infection is low. When all people have been offered a jab all restrictions should be lifted. I'm not sure if UK is there yet though.
5 ( +6 / -1 )
Posted in: Japan seeks to have vaccine passports accepted by over 10 nations See in context
I hope that none of the EU nations does not make a deal unless Japan accepts EU vaccine passport. There are many EU countries with far better covid situation and vaccinated people from these countries are not a threat. Travelling should be opened both ways.
3 ( +5 / -2 )
Posted in: 28 local Japanese governments considering mass vaccination sites See in context
I don't live in Japan so it's difficult to know exactly what's going on there but I find it strange that on the other hand vaccination seems to lacking but still my 70+ parents in law without significant comorbidity simply booked and got their covid-19 jabs from their local doctor several weeks ago. So at least in some places vaccination seems to proceed relatively smoothly.
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: Unused COVID shots piling up in Japan amid slow rollout See in context
Think how many lives would have been saved If these shots had been used in Japan or sent somewhere like India.
2 ( +3 / -1 )
Posted in: Cartoon dog pitches COVID vaccines to skeptical Japanese public See in context
People wouldn't be so hesitant if the government didn't hesitate so much.
1 ( +1 / -0 )
Posted in: 80% of prefectures unsure of securing doctors for vaccinations: poll See in context
Doctor are not needed for vaccinations. Nurses can handle it. Actually sticking a needle to muscle is so easy that almost anybody can do it with a little practise. Obviously there needs to be a team that can handle rare side effects, allergies etc.
2 ( +2 / -0 )
Posted in: Japan finds COVID-19 variant in 3 people with no record of travel to UK See in context
That's not a surprise. It's likely that these variants were already widely spread globally before they were initially detected. Especially in Japan there are loads of undetected covid-19 cases judging by high positive test rate.
5 ( +5 / -0 )
Posted in: Fukuoka town erects 7-meter gorilla scarecrow as symbol of strength against COVID-19 See in context
Arts and culture are important when times are difficult but still I would rather buy more PCR tests than build a straw gorilla.
2 ( +3 / -1 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 1,502 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 6,587 See in context
People are working overtime. They don't have time to take covid-19 test.
-4 ( +0 / -4 )
Posted in: Tokyo reports 1,494 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 6,081 See in context
So few tests again?
0 ( +8 / -8 )
Posted in: Vaccine mistrust in Japan dates back decades See in context
It is sad what happened with HPV. So many will suffer cervical cancer which could be easily prevented with vaccination. Fake science won.
9 ( +22 / -13 )
Posted in: All people entering Japan must submit negative results to COVID-19 test See in context
Fair enough but start really testing domestically also. Virus is in already and needs to be rooted out.
10 ( +14 / -4 )
Posted in: On eve of summit with Japan PM, Trump reportedly meets U.S. Steel CEO
Posted in: Man stabs himself after fatally stabbing wife
Posted in: On eve of summit with Japan PM, Trump reportedly meets U.S. Steel CEO
No need to vaccinate against JEV if your immune system is functioning properly.
Posted in: Some viruses prefer mosquitoes to humans, but people get sick anyway