Japan
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
Japan widens coronavirus emergency for 7 more areas as cases surge
TOKYO: Japan expanded a coronavirus state of emergency for seven more prefectures Wednesday, affecting more than half the population as infections spread across the country.Prime Minister Yoshide Suga’s announcement comes less than a week after his Jan. 7 emergency declaration for Tokyo and
Japan to widen state of emergency beyond Tokyo as virus surges - media
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told a meeting of ruling party executives on Tuesday he would declare a state of emergency for the three western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo to stem the spread of COVID-19, Kyodo news reported. Responding to pressure from Tokyo and three neighbouri
New coronavirus variant found in travellers from Brazil: Japan government
TOKYO - A new coronavirus variant was detected in four travellers from Brazil, Japan’s Health Ministry said on Sunday, marking an advance in changes to the pandemic virus. The new variant is different from those first found in Britain and South Africa, although the three of them share
Japan declares state of emergency for Tokyo area over coronavirus
TOKYO: Japan has declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic for Tokyo and three nearby areas as cases continued to surge, hitting a daily record of 2,447 in the capital.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga issued the declaration Thursday at the government task force for the coronavirus.T
Tokyo daily coronavirus cases hit record as state of emergency looms
TOKYO: Tokyo reported a record 1,591 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, as Japan's government faces increasing pressure from health experts to impose a strict state of emergency for the greater metropolitan area.Rising infections have driven the Tokyo and surrounding areas to the highest level of
Tokyo reports 816 new COVID-19 cases as governors push for state of emergency
Tokyo reported 816 new daily coronavirus cases on Sunday, a day after governors from the capital and neighboring prefectures called on the Japanese government to announce a state of emergency to combat a recent surge in cases. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has resisted calls for a second national
Tokyo coronavirus cases hit record 949 ahead of New Year holiday
TOKYO: Coronavirus infections in Tokyo hit a record daily high of 949 cases on Saturday as Japan heads into the New Year holiday, which normally sees people stream from the capital into the provinces.Serious cases were unchanged from a day earlier at 81.Local media reported subdued scenes at Tokyo
Ex-Japan PM Abe says sorry over political funding case
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday apologized for denying allegations that his office may have possibly violated Japan’s strict political funding laws and admitted he was unaware what his office had done. Abe said he will correct his false statements in parliament on Frid
Japan’s PM may curb tourism campaign to fight coronavirus
TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga may further restrict a much-criticized travel subsidy program in a bid to contain mounting coronavirus infections, as his approval rating plummets over the handling of the pandemic.Suga will chair a coronavirus meeting late on Monday to discuss plans r
Japan extends Middle East defence mission for 1 year
Japan has extended its naval defence mission in the Middle East for one year, local media reported today. The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) mission will remain in the region for "intelligence-gathering activities to help ensure the safety of a key oil shipping lane" until 26 December 2021,&n
Tokyo’s daily coronavirus infections top 600 for first time
The number of new coronavirus infections in Japan’s capital topped 600 in a day for the first time Thursday, while experts warned of the increased burden on hospitals.Tokyo reported 602 new cases, while the daily tally for the entire nation was 2,810. Japan has reported 168,573 infections si
Japan’s capital raises coronavirus alert to highest as cases set record
The Japanese capital of Tokyo posted the highest coronavirus alert level on Thursday with its daily tally of new cases set for a record high of more than 500, and its governor warned of much worse unless action is taken.The nationwide tally also hit a new high of 2,201 on Wednesday, according to s
Japan Emperor's Brother Proclaimed 1st in Line to Throne
Japanese Emperor Naruhito's younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, was formally sworn in as first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne in a traditional palace ritual Sunday that has been postponed for seven month and scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ceremony for the 54-year-old cr
Japan PM Suga Sets 2050 Deadline for Carbon Neutrality
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday set a 2050 deadline for the world's third-largest economy to become carbon neutral, significantly firming up the country's climate change commitments. "We will bring the total amount of greenhouse gas (emitted by Japan) to net zero by 2050, meaning
