Business / Economy Jan 25, 2022
Japan household assets rose to record ¥3.07 quadrillion at end of 2020
The figure reflects consumers holding off on spending amid the uncertain impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economic outlook.
Asia Pacific Jan 25, 2022
As cases mount, China eases COVID-19 testing standards for Beijing Olympics
by Lisa Du
It’s likely that more cases will be recorded than at than at the Tokyo Olympics, as Beijing is testing more frequently and the omicron variant is much more infectious than delta.
National Jan 24, 2022
As omicron spreads in Japan, business continuity plans come into focus
by Kanako Takahara
Companies and local governments are drawing up measures to keep business going even if many staffers can't work due to infection or being deemed a close contact.
World / Science & Health Jan 24, 2022
Rich countries lure health workers from low-income nations to fight shortages
by Stephanie Nolen
The urgency and strong pull from high-income nations has raised new questions about the ethics of recruitment from countries with weak health systems during a pandemic.
National Jan 24, 2022
COVID-19 tracker: Tokyo confirms 8,503 cases, Kanagawa and Chiba post record highs
Japan's death toll from the coronavirus rose by 78 from a week earlier to 18,522.
World / Politics Jan 24, 2022
Biden’s pandemic fight: Inside the setbacks of the first year
by Michael D. Shear, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Sharon Lafraniere and Noah Weiland
The administration has gotten much right, but its response has been hampered by confusing messaging, a lack of focus on testing, fear of political blowback and the virus’ unpredictability.
Travel | Longform Jan 24, 2022
With international tourists still absent, Japan’s ski resorts dig deep
by Francesco Bassetti and Oscar Boyd
The ongoing pandemic could be the final blow for operators as memories of the ski boom — and bust — of the 1980s still linger.
World Jan 24, 2022
Thousands march in Washington against COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Like other COVID-19 restrictions aimed at reining in the disease, vaccine mandates have become a deeply polarizing political issue.
Asia Pacific Jan 23, 2022
Beijing tests 2 million after neighborhood COVID-19 cluster as Winter Olympics loom
Multiple small outbreaks around China — including in Beijing — have tested its strict "zero COVID" policy.
National Jan 23, 2022
Tokyo confirmed 9,468 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, a day after the daily figure topped the 10,000-threshold for the first time ever. With the rapid spread of the omicron variant, the capital's daily COVID-19 count rewrote its record high for four straight days through ...
Business / Economy Jan 23, 2022
Living with COVID-19 proving tough for a gridlocked world economy
by Enda Curran
Still, optimists argue that the economic hit from omicron will be limited as vaccinations and boosters allow the disease to shift from an acute phase to an endemic one.
National / Science & Health Jan 23, 2022
Severely ill COVID patients in Japan up eightfold from start of '22
The total number of severe patients announced by local governments nationwide stood at 51 on Jan. 1. That figure topped 400 on Friday for the first time in about three months.