National May 12, 2021
The measure, which had already covered Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, will be in place until at least May 31.
National May 11, 2021
Hiroshima, Hyogo and Okayama take Olympic torch relay off roads
The three prefectures in western Japan become the latest to cancel legs of the event on public roads as coronavirus case surge.
National May 10, 2021
Suga support rate hits new low after virus emergency extension
by Isabel Reynolds
Asked whether they approved of his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, 63% of respondents to a JNN survey said they did not, a 13 percentage point increase.
National May 8, 2021
The country recorded 148 deaths, while COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms hit an all-time high of 1,131 as the daily number of new infections topped 6,000, the highest since mid-January.
National May 7, 2021
Emergency extended until end of May and expanded to Aichi and Fukuoka
by Ryusei Takahashi
While dining establishments will be asked to continue to close by 8 p.m. and not sell alcohol, measures related to department stores and events will be eased.
National May 7, 2021
Worry and skepticism abound as Japan plans to expand virus emergency
Some are unsure whether the measures can bring down the number of infections.
National May 5, 2021
Likelihood of extended state of emergency grows as Suga meets with key Cabinet members
by Satoshi Sugiyama
A formal decision by the central government is expected as early as Friday.
National May 4, 2021
Osaka governor hints at 'difficulty' in avoiding virus emergency extension
The comments came as Osaka Prefecture reported 884 new COVID-19 cases and Tokyo confirmed 609 infections amid a surge in highly infectious variants of the virus.
National May 3, 2021
Record number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients as variants rage across Japan
The number of patients with serious symptoms hit a record for a second straight day Sunday as concerns about the country's strained medical system grow.
National May 1, 2021
Few people traveling as Japan's Golden Week kicks off amid virus spike
With Tokyo now under a third state of emergency, large shopping facilities remain closed and there were fewer people on the move for the annual holiday period.
National Apr 30, 2021
Stations and tourist spots quiet as Golden Week holidays begin
Occupancy rates for nonreserved seats on Shinkansen trains that departed Tokyo station by 10 a.m. Thursday fell below 10% in some cases.
National Apr 29, 2021
As Osaka’s COVID-19 crisis worsens, Tokyo and Aichi offer to take patients
by Eric Johnston
Hospitals have been forced to turn away patients who, in some cases, then had to spend hours in an ambulance before they could finally gain admission.