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Osamu Tsukimori
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2022
Despite COVID-19 impact, Coming of Age Day ceremonies go ahead in Japan
While many coming-of-age ceremonies were canceled or hosted online, tens of thousands of young men and women gathered in Yokohama to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Jan 6, 2022
The ins and outs of Japan's COVID-19 booster shot rollout
Japan recommends people receive a different shot for their third doses to the one they received in the initial rollout, but what's the rationale behind that strategy?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Outlook 2022
Dec 31, 2021
Could omicron be the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Experts say the omicron variant could accelerate the pandemic's transition toward becoming a disease that the world can manage more easily and learn to live with.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 29, 2021
Tokyo researchers work toward 'dream' COVID-19 vaccine that gives protection for life
By repurposing the vector used in the long-proven smallpox vaccine, Michinori Kohara hopes to offer more enduring COVID-19 protection against variants that have yet to develop.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 21, 2021
Ivermectin for COVID? Unproven treatment stokes concern in Japan
Although the treatment has received some support from Japan's medical establishment and studies are ongoing, ivermectin is not approved as a COVID-19 remedy in the country.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2021
Fears over community spread rise after omicron slips through Japan's airport testing
Although the authorities have denied that two recent cases are instances of community spread, omicron's growth globally has made that outcome much more likely.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 15, 2021
Health ministry formally approves Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for a booster shot
The government plans to allow booster shots six months after the second shot whenever possible — a reduced timeline from the current plan of eight months.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2021
Japan's low COVID-19 death rate may be due to genetics, top research institute says
Most Japanese have an inherited component of the immune system that can more effectively kill various coronaviruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, scientists say.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 2, 2021
Japan’s drug regulator considers sweeping changes after COVID-19 vaccine delay
After being one of the last major developed nations to approve Pfizer's vaccine, Japan's drug regulator is looking to ease approval requirements for future pandemics.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2021
Japan's COVID-19 booster shot drive kicks off with health care workers
Third shots will eventually be administered free of charge to all residents age 18 and older at least eight months after their second doses.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 18, 2021
What's behind the rapid disappearance of the delta variant in Japan? It could be self-extinction.
Many scholars point to a variety of explanations for the sudden end of the fifth wave, but one research group says the coronavirus variant may have actually destroyed itself.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 16, 2021
Japan to allow COVID-19 booster shots six months after second dose
Although the health ministry has kept its initial eight-month timeline, local governments can bring the booster date forward if they see fit.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2021
COVID cases in Tokyo hit 471,000 as of March — quadruple official tally — study says
Researchers say asymptomatic or mild cases likely behind dramatic undercount in number of coronavirus infections.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / FOCUS
Nov 8, 2021
Why Japan won't say the coronavirus is transmissible over long distances
There is a growing scientific consensus that the virus is more airborne than many originally thought, but the government claims the jury is still out.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 28, 2021
Pfizer to seek OK for use of COVID-19 shot in children in Japan age 5 to 11
The government is hinting that it will act swiftly to make the vaccine available to children in that demographic.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Oct 27, 2021
Japan’s vaccination rate hits G7 milestone but may top out at 80%
The nation is now ranked No. 3 for its vaccination rate among the Group of Seven industrialized countries, after only Canada and Italy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 20, 2021
New multilingual vaccine sites open to cater to foreign residents in Japan
Interpretation services available in 13 languages are intended to ease access to COVID-19 shots.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Oct 20, 2021
Oral drug molnupiravir seen as 'trump card' in Japan's battle against COVID-19
The treatment developed by Merck could receive fast-track approval by the end of the year, and other oral drugs to fight the coronavirus are not far behind.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2021
Coupons, hotel vouchers, cars: Japan cities offering incentives for COVID-19 shots
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will offer discount coupons and other goods starting next month to encourage people to get vaccinated.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2021
Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya to get vaccination centers offering multilingual services next week
The Immigration Services Agency hopes the centers will help foreign residents who have run up against language barriers get inoculated.

Longform

Dul Saroth (left) and Soeum Samrach, deminers with the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, practice using the Advanced Landmine Imaging System in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province in August.
The Japanese tech that could one day make Southeast Asia landmine-free