Aug. 4: COVID-19 round-up
- Recent outbreaks of the coronavirus at U.S. military bases in Okinawa have cast renewed light on what many consider to be extraterritorial rights enjoyed by American servicemen, reigniting calls for a revision to the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
- The percentage of occupied hospital beds reserved for coronavirus patients rose in 39 of the 47 prefectures in the week that ended July 29, raising fears that the medical system may soon become overwhelmed amid a resurgence of infections.
- The number of corporate bankruptcies triggered by the spread of the novel coronavirus has exceeded 400 in Japan, according to Teikoku Databank Ltd.
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears reluctant to heed growing calls for revising Japan’s legislation for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, due to concerns he could be grilled over the government’s response if a Diet session is convened.
- A number of museums across Japan have started collecting materials related to the pandemic, such as face masks and fliers, to keep a record of everyday life during the outbreak and pass on as a legacy to future generations.