National Aug 3, 2021
Germany and Hong Kong now recognize Japan’s vaccine passports
by Magdalena Osumi
Ten regions and countries in total have been newly added to the list of places where holders of the document can enter with eased restrictions.
World Aug 3, 2021
The country will start offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations and make it easier for 12- to 17-year-olds to get shots amid concerns about the spread of the delta variant.
Commentary / World Aug 2, 2021
The delta COVID-19 variant is tipping the pandemic into a frightening new stage and vaccination efforts are unable to keep up.
National Aug 1, 2021
Japan starts giving COVID-19 shots to citizens returning temporarily
Those given the shots include people living in places that use vaccines not approved by Japan, as well as residents of some developing countries where the vaccine rollout has been slow.
National Aug 1, 2021
Japan's health minister urges public to avoid activities with high virus risk
Norihisa Tamura has said that the highly transmissible delta variant is responsible for the current rapid spread of infections in Japan.
Business / Corporate Jul 31, 2021
Walmart and Disney impose vaccination measures on some staff
Disney says all salaried staff working in-person in the U.S. must be inoculated, and is giving affected workers 60 days to comply and making certain limited exceptions.
National | FOCUS Jul 31, 2021
As Olympic fever hits Japan, virus threat looms ominously
by Junko Horiuchi and Ayano Shimizu
Although the surge in COVID-19 cases has not been directly linked to the Games, the celebratory atmosphere that followed their kickoff may play a role in the virus's spread, one expert said.
National Jul 30, 2021
Health ministry panel approves AstraZeneca’s vaccine for people 40 and over
by Osamu Tsukimori
The panel also backed a proposal to make the shot available to people under age 40 who wish to get AstraZeneca’s jab or who are allergic to the ingredients of the mRNA vaccines.
National Jul 30, 2021
A tale of two cities: In the 'bubble' and the Tokyo outside
by Antoni Slodkowski and Kiyoshi Takenaka
While the athletes village and Olympic press center represent a huge, strict COVID-19 control zone, the residents of the capital are living life largely as normal.
National Jul 29, 2021
Even with delta surging, experts say two vaccine doses is enough for now
by Osamu Tsukimori
U.S. firm Pfizer Inc. has called for an additional third shot of its COVID-19 vaccine, citing new data showing its efficacy tails off after six months.
Commentary / World Jul 29, 2021
How behavioral economics views mask mandates
by Allison Schrager
What we know from behavioral economics suggests that universal mask requirements will undermine the effort to get as many people as possible vaccinated.
National Jul 28, 2021
How the Tokyo area's recent COVID-19 surge is different
by Ryusei Takahashi
Compared with its third wave, the capital is now facing a larger number of daily infections, more cases among younger people and the threat from deadlier variants.