As COVID-19 cases surge, Suga remains reluctant to impose strict lockdown
Countries that have implemented strict restrictions “saw a decline in infections due to lockdowns, but the cases surged again ... they had to rely on vaccines after all,” Suga said.
Japan prepares to expand state of emergency as infections surpass 10,000
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to announce Friday evening that the measure will be widened to Osaka, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures.
Japan's top COVID-19 adviser calls for new approach as restrictions become ineffective
Shigeru Omi believes that instead of restricting people’s movement, Japan should focus more on taking advantage of its "excellent science and technology” to halt the virus in its tracks.
Japan COVID-19 experts halted calls for Olympics' cancellation after Suga's G7 remarks
Shigeru Omi said the experts found their discussions on any cancellation to be fruitless after Suga expressed his intention to go ahead with the Tokyo Games.
Japan's top COVID-19 adviser seeks Olympics without spectators
It would be 'desirable' to hold the games without fans in the stands to lower the risk to public health, Shigeru Omi and other experts recommended.
Japan’s Dr. Fauci dampens Olympic mood with call to ban fans
Shigeru Omi appeared to open a gap with Suga when he said that "it’s not normal” to be staging the global sports spectacle in the middle of a pandemic.
Holding Olympics 'unusual' in current situation, Japan's top COVID-19 adviser says
Shigeru Omi, head of a government coronavirus panel, said that if the games were to be held, the event should be scaled down as much as possible.
Japan's top COVID-19 adviser says fate of Olympics needs scrutiny
The organizers of the Summer Olympics must decide whether to go ahead with the games after scrutinizing the impact they may have on the nation's medical system, Shigeru Omi said.
Objections from experts forced Suga to take a U-turn on virus emergency
Experts pushed the prime minister to add three prefectures to the state of emergency despite his concerns over the economy.
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.
