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Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 5, 2021

Japan's dip in COVID-19 cases baffles experts as winter 'nightmare' remains a risk

Japan's COVID-19 case numbers have plummeted to the lowest in nearly a year just as other parts of Asia are struggling with surging infections, leaving health experts perplexed.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 5, 2021

China's PCR test kit orders spiked months before it raised COVID-19 alarm, says report

The lead researcher on the paper, a retired intelligence officer, said details of some contracts may suggest officials were investigating a new human disease in the latter half of 2019.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 30, 2021

YouTube bans all anti-vaccine misinformation, nixing high-profile activists

The platform found that many videos about COVID-19 vaccines spilled over into general vaccine misinformation, making it necessary to address the broader issue.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Sep 28, 2021

Third COVID-era prime minister to face tough test in Japan

For the winner of a party leadership vote Wednesday to pick Japan's third pandemic-era prime minister, an arduous task awaits on the economy.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 28, 2021

Global vaccine access body to revamp rules after giving U.K. more than Botswana

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) has largely allocated doses among its members according to population size — regardless of their vaccination coverage.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2021

COVID-19 quarantines to be shortened for fully vaccinated travelers to Japan

Japan will for the first time recognize its own vaccine passports as well as those of about 50 countries and regions.
JAPAN / Explainer
Sep 23, 2021

Japan prepares booster shots amid worries over waning vaccine efficacy

Preparations have begun to administer additional shots to health care workers and older people, but debate still swirls around how extra doses should be given and when.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 23, 2021

FDA approves Pfizer booster for older, at-risk people in U.S.

While less broad than some had hoped, the authorization leaves the door open for the FDA to consider broader use of boosters, including in younger adults.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 22, 2021

Canberra's enthusiasm for conflict with Beijing should be concerning

The French claimed the Australian decision to renege on the submarine deal was a betrayal. But the decision, which was motivated by fears of China becoming an equal, was very Australian.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse,Japan Pulse
Sep 18, 2021

Hikakin, the 'older brother' of YouTube, hits a milestone

The internet isn't short of stories of influencers behaving badly. Japan's most successful YouTuber proves that you can make a name for yourself by keeping things light.
BUSINESS
Sep 16, 2021

What does each LDP contender have in store for Japan's economy?

The ruling party's leadership candidates stand apart on how to revive the nation's pandemic-hit economy.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 15, 2021

Coronaviruses jump from animals to humans 400,000 times annually, study claims

Infections involving viruses related to COVID-19 shows the ongoing pandemic threat, according to work by EcoHealth Alliance and Duke-NUS Medical School that is pending peer review.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 9, 2021

Japan set to shorten quarantine to 10 days for vaccinated arrivals

The move, expected to take effect as early as the end of September, follows calls by Japan's top business lobby to ease entry restrictions.
BUSINESS
Sep 7, 2021

Japan's top business lobby makes case for eased entry restrictions

Keidanren has presented to Suga proposals on relaxed quarantines, opening the border to vaccinated individuals and the domestic use of vaccine passports.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Sep 6, 2021

Hiroshima government office reverses course on anti-smoking measures

Smoking areas for workers will be restored after residents complained about them smoking on the street and outside an existing smoking booth.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 5, 2021

The Moderna vaccine makes more antibodies than Pfizer's. Does it matter?

Subtle differences between the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc. vaccines are emerging across patient groups over time, but what this all means in the real world is still unclear.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 4, 2021

Thai PM survives no-confidence vote amid party infighting

Coup leader-turned-premier Prayut still faces a youth-led protest movement that has been demanding his resignation for more than a year.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health / ANALYSIS
Sep 3, 2021

Vaccine advisers to U.S. FDA face thorny question: Are COVID-19 boosters needed?

A fierce debate is expected around whether most Americans should get another shot rather than just those at high risk of severe illness.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 2, 2021

LDP leadership fight intensifies as Suga rival outlines COVID-19 plans

The former foreign minister backs enhanced PCR testing and electronic 'vaccine passports,' among other measures, while Suga is looking to tap the popularity of Japan's environment minister.
JAPAN
Sep 1, 2021

It's back to school in Japan, but COVID-19 is keeping some children at home

Some parents have taken the rare step of stopping their children from going to school due to fears over classroom infections and their own close contacts.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 1, 2021

Thailand's older people lag behind in COVID-19 vaccination drive, data shows

Vaccination planning shifted from an age-based priority system to a geographically-based one after an outbreak in Bangkok in April.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 30, 2021

Japan's new Digital Agency prepares for daunting task of overhauling tech policy

Past efforts have stumbled due to insufficient resources and bureaucratic divisions, and an ability to overcome these structural issues will make or break the new agency.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 28, 2021

U.S. intelligence community says it cannot solve COVID-19 mystery without China

'China's cooperation most likely would be needed to reach a conclusive assessment of the origins of COVID-19,' U.S. officials said.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past