National
More companies, universities begin on-site vaccinations
Japan's COVID-19 vaccination program for people aged under 65 got into full swing Monday as universities and government ministries and agencies joined companies in launching on-site inoculations. With Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga aiming to complete vaccinations by November, the government has allowed companies and universities to launch their own inoculation… Read
4 found dead in minivan in suspected group suicide in Kobe
Four people were found dead in a minivan in Kobe on Sunday in what police believe was a group suicide. Police said they received a phone call at around 6:45 p.m. Sunday from a landowner about a car parked in his vacant lot in Kita Ward, Sankei Shimbun reported. The… Read
86% fear COVID rebound if Tokyo Olympics held: poll
Around 86 percent of people in Japan are concerned about a rebound in COVID-19 cases if the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are staged this summer, a Kyodo News poll showed Sunday. The two-day nationwide survey conducted from Saturday found that 40.3 percent believe the Summer Games should be held without… Read
Japanese love doll mistaken for drowned corpse; saved by emergency services anyway
We’ve seen love dolls taken to high levels of seriousness before, with some people adopting them as family or investigating their kidnappings. But usually those were always a few eccentric individuals, without any sort of official organizations playing a part. Until now. Japanese YouTuber Tanaka Natsuki typically makes videos about visiting hot springs, and recently made one for a… Read
Tokyo reports 376 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 1,308
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Sunday reported 376 new coronavirus cases, down 12 from Saturday. The average for Tokyo over the past seven days stands at 388.0. People in their 20s (131 cases) and their 30s (53) accounted for the highest numbers. The number of infected people hospitalized with severe… Read
Japan considers dropping plan to procure U.S.-made anti-ship missiles
Japan is considering scrapping its plan to procure U.S.-made long-range anti-ship missiles with standoff capabilities for the Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 fighter jets, government officials said Saturday. The plan to change its policy is due to ballooning costs, according to the officials, who declined to be named as a formal… Read
Tokyo gov't begins COVID-19 vaccinations for Olympic workers, media
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Friday started coronavirus vaccinations for staff and media members who will work at this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The metropolitan government aims to inoculate around 2,500 people per day through the end of August using Pfizer Inc. vaccine doses provided by the International Olympic… Read
Drink up, drink fast, drink alone? Tokyo to ease alcohol curbs
Thirsty Tokyo residents are about to get a bit of a break just as the summer heat arrives with authorities in the Japanese capital preparing to relax a ban on alcohol in restaurants and bars when it lifts a coronavirus state of emergency. But don't plan any parties. Tokyo will… Read
Tokyo reports 388 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 1,520
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Saturday reported 388 new coronavirus cases, down 65 from Friday. The average for Tokyo over the past seven days stands at 377.7. People in their 20s (126 cases) and their 30s (68) accounted for the highest numbers. The number of infected people hospitalized with severe… Read
Dread and disinfectant: cleaning COVID wards in Japan
Naho has played a crucial role in fighting Japan's two deadly coronavirus waves this year, the worst the country has faced since the pandemic began. The 21-year-old is not a doctor or a nurse -- she's a cleaner on COVID-19 wards, making sure every surface is sterilized while taking precautions… Read
