National Jul 19, 2021
Saito, a 43-year-old former head of the finance section of the Osaka prefectural government, was supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai.
National Jun 28, 2021
Tokyo reports 317 new COVID-19 cases as week-on-week rise continues
The figure came as concern grows over a recent jump in infections in Tokyo and after a coronavirus state of emergency was lifted there just over a week ago.
National Jun 26, 2021
Tokyo reports 534 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday as infections tick up
The capital’s daily infection tally averaged 476 in the week to Friday, compared with 377.7 the previous week.
National Jun 7, 2021
Older people in Kyoto and Hyogo now eligible for shots at SDF-run site
With the expansion of areas covered by the Osaka venue, free shuttle buses will run every 30 minutes linking the venue with Shin-Osaka and Tennoji stations.
National Jun 5, 2021
Hyogo Prefecture, meanwhile, logged 81 new cases and three deaths, well down from peak daily tallies of over 600 cases at the end of April.
National | View from Osaka Jun 4, 2021
Tokyo Games pose risk for Kansai's already strained medical system
by Eric Johnston
In the Kansai region, people are anxious that those involved with the Tokyo Games may catch the virus and bring it back west.
National / Science & Health May 27, 2021
Japan to extend COVID-19 state of emergency to June 20, official says
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters the government will consult with an expert panel on Friday on the extension.
National May 25, 2021
Japan's virus-hit prefectures prepare to seek longer state of emergency
by Eric Johnston
The move would come as hospital beds remain in demand in multiple prefectures, piling pressure on the country's health care system.
National May 21, 2021
While new COVID-19 cases are decreasing, Kansai is not yet out of the woods
by Eric Johnston
“Although we’re finally starting to see a decrease in the number of Kansai-area infections, we have to see whether this trend will continue," a prominent medical adviser said.
National May 18, 2021
Undisclosed 121 Kobe virus deaths push Japan's daily toll to 216
Tokyo and Osaka registered significant drops in cases compared to last Tuesday, while Okinawa logged a record 168 infections.
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.