National Apr 16, 2021
Stricter virus countermeasures expanded to more Japan regions
by Ryusei Takahashi
As a fourth wave fueled by elusive, deadlier variants picks up speed, countermeasures meant to target localized outbreaks have quickly expanded.
National Apr 16, 2021
Tokyo-area prefectures and Aichi to get stricter virus steps Tuesday
The government will approve the plan to expand the list from Tokyo and five prefectures, including Osaka and Hyogo, on Friday.
National Apr 15, 2021
Top Japan virus expert acknowledges fourth wave as variants take hold
"Due in part to the impact of variant strains, now is the time to flexibly take quasi-emergency measures," said Shigeru Omi, who heads a government panel of experts on the coronavirus.
National Apr 14, 2021
Aichi and Tokyo-area prefectures may be next to get COVID-19 powers
In Aichi, the daily number of new coronavirus cases averaged 152 in the week through Monday, sharply up from around 30 to 40 in mid-March.
National Mar 25, 2021
Tokyo area extends shorter business hours over virus rebound worries
The governors of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures agreed in an online meeting to continue asking establishments such as restaurants to close by 9 p.m. until April 21.
National Mar 18, 2021
Suga declares state of emergency will end Monday as virus resurgence fears linger
by Satoshi Sugiyama
Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister leading the central government’s virus response, stressed the importance of minimizing another outbreak.
National | FOCUS Mar 18, 2021
Impact of virus measures wane as Tokyo looks to cautiously reopen
by Ryusei Takahashi
The emergency declaration’s effectiveness seems to have reached its limit as the number of new cases in the capital region stubbornly refuses to decline.
National Mar 17, 2021
Suga says COVID-19 emergency will be lifted for Tokyo region on Monday
by Satoshi Sugiyama
The prime minister's decision comes after Tokyo reported a monthly high for new coronavirus cases.
National Mar 13, 2021
Tokyo area COVID-19 numbers showing signs of rising as Japan weighs exit from state of emergency
New cases "have ceased to fall or turned higher in Tokyo," Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures, health minister Norihisa Tamura told a news conference Friday.
National Mar 10, 2021
Tokyo may once again see daily tally of virus cases top 1,000, study warns
Spike in cases likely in May if people don't refrain from gathering for celebrations this spring after the state of emergency is lifted, a University of Tokyo model found.
National | FOCUS Mar 7, 2021
Uncertainty remains over when to lift COVID-19 emergency for Tokyo area
At a government advisory committee meeting on coronavirus measures that preceded the decision on the extension, some participants called for a longer extension than two weeks.
National Mar 6, 2021
Sense of crisis wanes in Tokyo area as virus fight continues
Infectious disease experts are especially concerned about clusters of infections that are difficult to detect.