National May 24, 2020
Japan to completely lift state of emergency as virus cases tail off
At a coronavirus task force meeting, the government will decide to ease measures for Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Hokkaido.
National May 24, 2020
Coronavirus caseloads at Japan's hospitals easing, health minister says
It's another indication the government might lift the state of emergency for the Tokyo metropolitan area and Hokkaido on Monday.
National / Science & Health May 15, 2020
10,000 to be tested to see if Japan developing virus 'herd immunity'
The quicker tests will be conducted in certain regions rather than nationwide, the health ministry says.
National Apr 5, 2020
Abe nears decision on emergency declaration as Tokyo coronavirus cases surge
One government source said it was "just a matter of time" before Abe declares a state of emergency," citing the growing number of infections in the capital.
National / Politics Feb 26, 2020
Critics ask 'Where's Abe?' as coronavirus spreads in Japan
by Linda Sieg
As Japan struggles to stem the spread of a coronavirus within its borders, critics are asking, "Where's Abe?" Shinzo Abe, 65, Japan's longest serving prime minister, has failed to take the helm as the public face of the response to the virus, critics say, leaving ...
National / Science & Health Feb 22, 2020
Japan might approve anti-flu drug Avigan to treat coronavirus patients
Japan is considering using Avigan, an influenza medication developed by a unit of Fujifilm Holdings Corp., to treat patients of the novel coronavirus, health minister Katsunobu Kato says.
National Feb 17, 2020
Japan issues guidelines to prevent rush on hospitals as COVID-19 cases surge
by Satoshi Sugiyama
The health ministry releases guidelines on how people should react if they fear infection with the coronavirus.
National / Science & Health Feb 17, 2020
328 Americans from coronavirus-hit ship fly home, but 44 stay in Japan for treatment
A group of 328 Americans previously aboard a cruise ship quarantined off Japan left for home early Monday morning on chartered flights, while 44 stayed in the nation for medical treatment. Those that remained are among hundreds that have become infected with COVID-19 aboard the ...
National Aug 28, 2018
Half of 'disabled' workers at central government institutions were miscounted, labor minister says
by Sarah Suk
Of nearly 7,000 reported hires by ministries and agencies under a program to employ people with disabilities, 3,460 did not meet the guidelines.
National / Politics Feb 15, 2018
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday withdrew a recent remark on Japan's discretionary work system, while opposition lawmakers questioned the validity of the labor ministry survey on which Abe's remarks were based. "I'd like to withdraw my remark and apologize," Abe told a House of ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Feb 10, 2018
Did press reports of a lawsuit spur an amendment to the welfare ministry's policy on benefits?
by Philip Brasor
On Jan. 16, the Fukushima District Court ruled in favor of a woman and her daughter who had sued the city of Fukushima for cutting their welfare benefits. When the woman’s daughter was in high school, the woman received a grant scholarship to help ...
National | CABINET INTERVIEW 2017 Sep 5, 2017
Japan must adhere to cap on social spending, new labor minister says
by Connor Cislo and Maiko Takahashi
Japan needs to hold fast in limiting the rise of social welfare spending, said Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Katsunobu Kato in a recent interview. To meet a spending limit set in fiscal 2015, Kato said he wants to adhere to a ¥500 billion ...