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2 top LDP officials say Olympics cancelation, no fans still an option
Two officials in Japan's ruling LDP party on Thursday said changes could be coming to the Tokyo Olympics. One suggested they still could be canceled, and the other said even if they proceed, it might be without any fans. Toshihiro Nikai, the No. 2 and secretary general of the ruling… Read
Tokyo reports 729 coronavirus cases; record-high 1,208 in Osaka
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Thursday reported 729 new cases of the coronavirus, up 138 from Wednesday and the highest number since Feb 4. Osaka Prefecture once again reported the most number of cases in Japan, with a record-high 1,209. In Tokyo, the number (387 men and 342 women) is… Read
Fukushima locals criticize government for tone-deaf tritium mascot
A mascot launched by the Japanese government to coincide with its decision to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean has become the target of criticism by local residents, with many saying it is out of sync with the harsh reality of the… Read
2 men arrested for sexually assaulting and robbing woman
Police in Tokyo have arrested two men on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female acquaintance at an apartment in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, in January 2020. According to police, Kazuya Hatakeyama, 23, a construction worker from Yamato, and Keiji Onishi, 21, a construction worker from Tokyo’s Nerima Ward, also stole 200,000… Read
Flash in the cam: Canadian MP sorry for baring all on parliament Zoom
A Canadian lawmaker left red-cheeked after appearing stark naked on a House of Commons Zoom conference call has apologized to his colleagues. William Amos, a Liberal MP, was caught covering his nether regions with a mobile phone and in a state of nature between the flags of Quebec and Canada… Read
New Zealand tests 'early warning' virus app at border
New Zealand border workers on Thursday began testing a monitoring app designed to detect coronavirus before the user develops any noticeable symptoms, in what is believed to be a world first. The app, "elarm", connects to wearable devices such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, using artificial intelligence to check variables… Read
U.S. envoy Kerry starts climate talks in China
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry met with his Chinese counterparts in Shanghai on Thursday, in the first visit to China by an official from a Biden administration seeking to re-establish America's leadership on the environment. The trip is seen as a chance to put aside high political tensions -- following… Read
Japan has entered 4th wave of COVID-19 infections, says gov't panel chief
Osaka Prefecture on Wednesday reported a record 1,130 daily coronavirus cases, bringing the nationwide tally to the highest in over two months, as the country grapples with what medical experts describe as a "fourth wave" of the pandemic. Osaka saw another record of infections after topping the 1,000 mark for… Read
'Please drink' treated Fukushima water, China asks Aso
China on Wednesday asked Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso to drink treated radioactive water accumulated at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, after he said it is safe to drink it. "A Japanese official said it is okay if we drink this water, so then please drink it,"… Read
TEPCO banned from restarting nuclear plant over safety flaws
Japan's nuclear regulator on Wednesday effectively banned Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc TEPCO) from restarting its largest nuclear plant due to serious safety flaws, dealing a blow to the utility's efforts to turn its business around following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The Nuclear Regulation Authority formally issued the… Read
