National Sep 9, 2021

Japan sets out pandemic exit strategy after emergency extended

The plan will rely on vaccine passports or some other document that verifies an individual is fully inoculated.

National Sep 3, 2021

Japan outlines preliminary COVID-19 exit strategy

Attempts to discourage even vaccinated people from traveling, dining out or attending large-scale events could end as early as October.

Summer Paralympics Aug 28, 2021

Italian fencing star Beatrice 'Bebe' Vio defends Paralympic gold in Tokyo

Italian sensation Beatrice “Bebe” Vio came to Tokyo to defend her gold medal in wheelchair fencing. Mission accomplished.

National Aug 27, 2021

Shibuya youth vaccine site overwhelmed on opening day

With Tokyo officials underestimating demand for shots, all the available slots were filled hours before registration was supposed to begin.

National Aug 25, 2021

Japan's state of emergency to be expanded to eight more prefectures

With COVID-19 measures now covering the vast majority of the country, there are growing calls for a state of emergency or quasi-emergency to be implemented nationwide.

National Aug 19, 2021

As outbreak escalates nationwide, Japan's government considers post-emergency plans

Vaccination rates and the number of severely ill patients are likely to play larger roles whenever the country looks to lift the current state of emergency.

National Aug 18, 2021

Japan's hospitals still under strain — even after hospitalization policy shift

Beds for severely ill COVID-19 patients are almost constantly occupied, and hospitals say a better system is needed for discharging patients.

National Aug 17, 2021

Growing fifth wave forces Suga to expand state of emergency

The emergency is set to be expanded to Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures from Friday and is scheduled to run until Sept. 12.

National Aug 13, 2021

Tokyo area COVID-19 outbreak exacerbated by medical staff shortages

The Tokyo government has prepared 6,240 rooms across 16 empty hotels for nonsevere patients, but only about 1,800 can be utilized with the staff currently on hand.

National Aug 12, 2021

Tokyo's hospitals under strain as latest COVID-19 wave hits older people harder

Infectious disease experts advising the capital said Thursday that numbers of severely ill patients are rising fast, and that maintaining the health system will soon become difficult.