National Jan 19, 2022
Daily COVID-19 cases in Japan top 40,000, setting new record
Daily case records fell in scores of other prefectures including Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo, Saitama and Fukuoka amid the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
National Jan 19, 2022
Ambulances in Japan struggle to find hospitals for serious patients as omicron spreads
The number of cases in which ambulance crews had difficulties finding where to take emergency patients hit a record high in the week through Sunday.
Business Jan 19, 2022
Japan maintains view that economy is recovering but warns of omicron risk
The government retained its view that the economy remains on a recovery track, but has also warned of a potential "increase in downside risks" caused by the omicron variant.
Asia Pacific | FOCUS Jan 19, 2022
Xi Jinping’s COVID-19 defense gets weaker with every omicron case
Port disruptions and citywide shutdowns are increasingly common, and the central bank has had to cut its key interest rate.
National Jan 19, 2022
Omicron prompts quasi-emergency expansion across large swath of Japan
by Kazuaki Nagata
As the latest wave of infections rages, government experts back implementing new measures in 13 more prefectures from Jan. 21 to Feb. 13.
National Jan 19, 2022
Antibody levels soar over sixtyfold after COVID booster shots, Kobe University team says
The findings are the first to be announced in Japan that indicate the effectiveness of a third vaccine shot against omicron.
National Jan 18, 2022
Japan plans to issue quasi-emergency status for 13 omicron-hit prefectures
by Kanako Takahara
With quasi-emergency measures already in place in Yamaguchi, Okinawa and Hiroshima prefectures, the expansion would bring the total to 16 out of 47 prefectures.
Asia Pacific Jan 18, 2022
China decides not to sell Olympics tickets to Chinese public
by Steven Lee Myers
Authorities in China, who had pressed ahead defiantly to fill the venues with spectators, have now had to bow to the grim realities of the pandemic.
Asia Pacific Jan 18, 2022
China points finger at overseas mail for Beijing omicron case
Authorities are trying to figure out how COVID-19 seeped through tight borders ahead of the Winter Olympics that start next month.
National / Politics Jan 17, 2022
Kishida vows to lay out road map for 'new capitalism' in the spring
by Kanako Takahara
Covering topics ranging from COVID-19 to climate change and diplomacy, the prime minister offered a comprehensive wrap-up of his policy agenda at the start of the parliamentary session.
National Jan 17, 2022
Japan looks to expand COVID quasi-emergency to Tokyo and 10 other prefectures
Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa have asked the central government to put them under a quasi-emergency after their governors held a meeting to discuss the infection situation.
Asia Pacific Jan 17, 2022
Omicron penetrates China’s political, financial and tech hubs
China has detected locally-transmitted omicron infections in the capital Beijing, the financial center Shanghai, and Guangdong, which together account for one-fifth of the country’s GDP.