National Feb 24, 2021

One shot or two? Japan weighs question as vaccine rollout stalls amid shortages

Health minister Norihisa Tamura says Japan will stick to the standard two-dose schedule, but some in the LDP are calling for a change of course.

National | FYI Feb 17, 2021

This is what you need to know to get a coronavirus vaccine in Japan

More than two months after the U.K. and the U.S., Japan finally embarked on an unprecedented coronavirus vaccination blitz Wednesday.

National / Science & Health Feb 15, 2021

Japan prepares to dispense Pfizer vaccine from Wednesday after formal approval

Up to 20,000 front-line medical staffers at state-run hospitals are set to be the first to receive the vaccines, followed by 3.7 million other health care workers.

National | FYI Feb 5, 2021

Japan is moving closer to vaccinations: Here's how the rollout will work

The government has begun to set out its inoculation schedule, but there are concerns over delivery hiccups.

National | FYI Feb 2, 2021

Leading world in hospital bed availability, Japan still taxed by COVID-19

Despite a relatively low number of cases, prefectures currently under a state of emergency are seeing about 70% of their hospital beds for virus patients occupied.

National | FOCUS Jan 26, 2021

Overwhelmed by virus, hospitals in Japan struggle to treat other emergency patients

While daily figures for new infections appear to have been decreasing overall, the number of critically ill COVID-19 patients set a record Monday, according to health ministry data.

National / Politics Jan 19, 2021

Japan's new COVID-19 vaccine czar Taro Kono commits to rapid yet safe rollout

The nation is preparing to vaccinate, starting with medical workers and older people, based on hopes that Pfizer's vaccine will be approved here by mid-February.

National / Science & Health | FOCUS Jan 18, 2021

Japan scrambles to roll out vaccine, but how many people will get the shot?

Polls have shown recently that nearly 70% of Japanese are willing to get a coronavirus vaccine. But still, skepticism against vaccines is deeply rooted in the country.

National Jan 8, 2021

Osaka stands by COVID-19 tracing app that sent six alerts in seven months

With alerts limited to infectious contact, and no obligation to flag positive status, high volumes of messages were never expected, though the prefecture is working on enhancements.