Japan
Japan Approaching End of COVID-19 Emergency in Most Areas
Japan's COVID-19 infection situation is improving such that emergency conditions could soon be lifted in most parts of the country, the health minister said on Friday. Hospitalization rates and patient bed availability will factor into whether the state of emergency prevailing over Tokyo and much
Japan to distribute 60M COVID-19 vaccines to other countries
Japan will hand out 60 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to other countries, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday. This is twice the previously pledged target of 30 million doses. "Today, I am pleased to announce that, with additional contributions, Japan will provide up to approxim
Suga to step down as Japan PM after 1 year in office
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Friday that he will not run for his ruling party's leadership, effectively ending his premiership after just a year in office. Suga told reporters he had originally planned to run in the Sept. 29 race to lead his governing Liberal Democratic Party, but
Tens of Thousands Urged to Evacuate as Heavy Rain Hits Japan
Tens of thousands of people were urged to evacuate on Friday as "unprecedented" levels of torrential rain hit western Japan, raising the risk of floods and landslides, the weather agency said. The downpours are forecast to continue for several days over a large swathe of the country, from the nor
Japan’s PM Thanks People for Safe Olympics During Pandemic
Japan's prime minister thanked people for helping the country safely hold the Olympics despite the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic. He noted the Games were delayed by a year and held under tight restrictions, but "I believe we were able to fulfill our responsibility as the host nation,&r
At least 10 passengers injured in stabbings on Tokyo train
A man with a knife stabbed at least 10 passengers on a commuter train in Tokyo on Friday and was arrested by police after fleeing, fire department officials and news reports said.NHK public television said two passengers were seriously injured. It said the suspect left his knife behind as he fled
Tokyo logs record 5,042 cases as infections surge amid Olympics
Tokyo reported 5,042 new daily coronavirus cases on Thursday, hitting a record since the pandemic began as the infections surge in the Japanese capital hosting the Olympics.The additional cases brought the total for Tokyo to 236,138. Nationwide, Japan reported more than 14,000 cases on Wednesday f
Olympic host Tokyo hits record 2,848 COVID-19 cases
Tokyo’s 2,848 COVID-19 infections on Tuesday were the Olympic host city’s highest since the pandemic began, officials said, as media reported that authorities had asked hospitals to prepare more beds for patients as the Delta variant drives the surge.The rise in cases threatens to furt
Tokyo new virus cases near 2,000 a day before Olympics open
Tokyo hit another six-month high in new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, one day before the Olympics begin, as worries grow of a worsening of infections during the Games.Thursday’s 1,979 new cases are the highest since 2,044 were recorded on Jan. 15.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is determine
Rescuers search for survivors in landslide-hit Japan town
Rescuers in a Japanese holiday town hit by a deadly landslide were forced to suspend their search for survivors several times on Sunday as more rain lashed the devastated area.Two women were confirmed dead after torrents of mud crashed through part of the hot-spring resort of Atami in centra
At least 19 missing as mudslide west of Tokyo hits houses
A powerful mudslide carrying a deluge of black water and debris crashed into rows of houses in a town west of Tokyo following heavy rains on Saturday, leaving at least 19 people missing, officials said.Dozens of homes may have been buried in Atami, a town known for hot springs, said Shizuoka prefe
Japan says Taiwan ties under ‘1 country, 2 systems’ policy
Japan’s relations with Taiwan are non-governmental and practical, based on the “one country, two systems” policy that recognizes China as the sole legitimate government, a top Japanese official said Friday, following Beijing’s protest over a recent reference to the island a
Japan approves 2 new coronavirus vaccines ahead of emergency expansion
Japan on Friday approved the use of two new vaccines – Moderna and AstraZeneca – hours ahead of an expansion of a state of coronavirus emergency that will cover roughly 40 percent of the population. It’s the latest effort to contain a worrying surge in infections nine weeks ahead
Japan announces emergency response in Osaka area to curb COVID-19 cases
Japan’s government said on Thursday it will impose emergency measures, such as shorter business hours and to ask people to work from home and refrain from activities like karaoke, in the western region of Osaka to halt a rebound in COVID-19 cases.Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said Olympi
Japan finds new COVID-19 strain
TOKYO: Japan confirmed a new variant of COVID-19, and an infection cluster emerged at a Tokyo immigration facility, presenting new challenges as the country tries to overcome a third wave of the pandemic.The new variant has been found in 91 cases in the Kanto area of eastern Japan and in two cases
Japan starts coronavirus vaccine rollout with health care workers
TOKYO: Japan began vaccinating health care workers against the coronavirus on Wednesday, rolling out a cautious inoculation program with just over five months until the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.Japan has so far approved only the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and started administering the first shots at a To
At least 100 injured after Fukushima earthquake with no major incidents at nuclear plant
Recovery efforts are under way in northern Japan after an earthquake of 7.3-magnitude-7.3 struck off Fukushima, leaving at least 124 injured and causing temporary power outages across the region. No deaths were reported, according to public broadcaster NHK confirmedsaid, but r
Japan receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccine, courtesy of Pfizer
TOKYO: Japan’s first batch of COVID-19 vaccine arrived on Friday, local media reported, with official approval for the Pfizer Inc. shots expected soon as the country races to control a third wave of infections ahead of the Olympic Games.A government health panel is due to deliberate on the v
