Japan coronavirus panel chief warns against ending emergency too soon
The government should wait until the infection situation improves to Stage 2, the second-lowest level on its four-tier scale, before lifting the current state of emergency, Shigeru Omi said.
Tokyo Games organizers lay out updated athlete virus countermeasures
Athletes will need to be tested before and after arrival, but they will not be asked to isolate themselves after landing in the country, and nor will vaccinations be mandatory.
Stricter virus countermeasures expanded to more Japan regions
As a fourth wave fueled by elusive, deadlier variants picks up speed, countermeasures meant to target localized outbreaks have quickly expanded.
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.
Stricter COVID-19 measures to be applied in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa
In the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, a highly infectious strain of the coronavirus first identified in the U.K. — N501Y — now accounts for a third of new infections.
Suga declares state of emergency will end Monday as virus resurgence fears linger
Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister leading the central government’s virus response, stressed the importance of minimizing another outbreak.
Japan may decide Thursday whether to end Tokyo's COVID-19 emergency
However, opinions are still divided among governors and experts over whether the situation has improved enough to lift the status.
Japan to lift state of emergency over COVID-19 in six prefectures from Monday
With the decision to cancel the declaration in Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Aichi, Gifu and Fukuoka starting March 1, the focus in those areas will shift to suppressing any resurgence of the virus.
Suga urges caution over New Year's break as COVID-19 cases keep rising
Officials say the surge in new infections is already affecting local health care systems and overwhelming hospitals at a time of the year when staffing is limited.
Japan considering penalties for firms that defy closure requests
Prefectural governors are currently only allowed to make nonbinding requests for eating and drinking establishments to shorten business hours.
Politics — not public health — drove Suga U-turn on Go To Travel
The plan to balance the health of the economy against that of people in Japan appeared to hit a wall, as public, political and scientific opposition grew.
Japan may call new state of emergency, virus response chief warns
A government panel of experts on the virus recommended that people not travel to and from areas that have experienced a rapid increase of infections.
