National / Science & Health Feb 16, 2021
The season presents an added challenge amid the pandemic as rubbing itchy eyes and wiping runny noses threaten to boost the risk of viral infection.
Business Jan 7, 2021
Masks no obstacle for new facial recognition system from Japan's NEC
by Chris Gallagher
The firm had been working on a system to meet the needs of allergy sufferers who wear masks when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted it to accelerate development.
World / Science & Health Dec 10, 2020
U.K. issues anaphylaxis warning on Pfizer vaccine after adverse reactions
Britain began mass vaccinating its population on Tuesday, part of a global drive that poses one of the biggest logistical challenges in peacetime history.
National Mar 19, 2020
'Coronavirus harassment' surge suggests growing panic in Japan
by Tomohiro Osaki
In the age of the COVID-19 outbreak, the sight of someone coughing in public has become a frequent cause for suspicious stares, altercations and even maltreatment at work, leading to the emergence of what has been dubbed by Japanese media as "corohara," or coronavirus ...
National Jan 29, 2020
Japan's hay fever season set to start early due to warm winter
The hay fever season is set to begin earlier than usual in Japan this year due to a warmer-than-average winter, a weather information provider said Wednesday. According to Weathernews Inc., Japanese cedar trees, which along with Japanese cypress trees are one of the most prominent ...
National Aug 23, 2019
The proposal would end coverage for prescription and nonprescription drugs with identical ingredients, saving ¥60 billion a year but forcing patients to pay the full cost.
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Mar 24, 2019
Confessions from behind a mask ... and from the sickbed
by Andreas Neuenkirchen
Just as new blooms mark the arrival of spring, we know it's hay fever season in Japan thanks to an uptick in face masks. Like anyone who comes to Japan, I've flirted with the mask myself on occasion, but never really made a commitment. For ...
National / Science & Health Nov 27, 2018
Japanese and U.S. researchers say allergy shots for pregnant women may protect babies for life
by Magdalena Osumi
A group of researchers based in Japan and the United States believe that administering allergy shots to women during pregnancy could prevent their unborn children from developing allergies after birth and throughout their lives. The researchers believe the special shots, which prevent offspring from producing ...
National | Regional voices: Chubu May 21, 2018
Gifu factory devoted to producing allergen-free chocolate bars
A former president of a sweets manufacturer in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, has established a small factory exclusively for producing chocolates that do not contain any of 27 allergens, including dairy products and soybeans. While major companies are reluctant to produce allergen-free sweets because it involves ...
National Feb 22, 2018
by Magdalena Osumi
Spring may still be a few weeks away, but if you are experiencing red, swollen and itchy eyes it could be because this year's hay fever season has already begun — with meteorologists saying that cedar and cypress pollen counts could be twice as ...
National Jul 11, 2017
Japan's biologists plead for urgent eradication of invasive fire ants
Biologists are calling for urgent nationwide action to prevent venomous fire ants from infesting Japan after the highly invasive species was spotted at several major ports, including Tokyo. "Japan needs to fight the insects as a national campaign," said Takahiro Murakami, an associate professor of ...
Issues | LEARNING CURVE May 31, 2017
School kitchens in Japan risk being swamped by food allergy claims
by James McCrostie
Data suggest Japan's schools are seeing a surge in food allergies among students, but are all the claims legitimate?