National Jan 5, 2021
Mixed reactions as Suga hints at emergency for Tokyo and nearby areas
Opposition parties have criticized the decision as too little, too late, while some businesses are worried about further economic loss.
National Jan 2, 2021
The minister in charge of the central government's coronavirus response said it would need to hear from experts before deciding on whether to declare a state of emergency.
National Dec 31, 2020
Tokyo overshoots daily record by 40% with 1,337 COVID-19 cases
Gov. Yuriko Koike said that if the situation continues to worsen, the metro government "may have no choice but to request" that PM Yoshihide Suga declare a state of emergency.
National / Politics Dec 22, 2020
Denying need for Japan emergency, Suga clashes with medical groups
The prime minister has instead vowed to strike a balance between fighting the pandemic and restarting economic activity.
National Dec 21, 2020
As Japan COVID-19 cases surge, governors brace for year-end spike
by Ryusei Takahashi
It took more than nine months, and two waves, for the number of reported cases to reach 100,000 — but less than two months for that figure to double.
National Dec 17, 2020
Tokyo logs record 822 cases and raises alarm as hospitals 'clogged'
by Ryusei Takahashi
The nationwide tally of new cases also hit a record, with media reports putting the figure at 3,211.
National Dec 17, 2020
Tokyo-area governors want no all-night trains on New Year's Eve
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and the governors of three neighboring prefectures have asked the central government and railroad companies not to run trains all night on New Year's Eve, Koike said Wednesday. The six companies included East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, and Tokyo ...
National Dec 16, 2020
Suga voices regret over dinner that flouted virus guidelines
by Satoshi Sugiyama and Ryusei Takahashi
The prime minister said he is not thinking of imposing tighter restrictions on movement "at this time" as a crucial three-week period in fighting COVID-19 ended.
National / Politics | ANALYSIS Dec 15, 2020
Politics — not public health — drove Suga U-turn on Go To Travel
by Ryusei Takahashi
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.
National Dec 14, 2020
The character, which on its own means "close" or "dense," garnered 28,401 votes — 13.65% of the 208,025 cast in a nationwide poll.
National Dec 13, 2020
Tokyo and Nagoya may be dropped from Go To Travel as virus cases surge
The government will hold discussions with governors of prefectures experiencing virus spikes on whether to suspend some cities from the Go To Travel program, Yasutoshi Nishimura said Sunday.
Business / Corporate Dec 10, 2020
Toyota launches second-generation Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car
The five-seater FCV has three tanks to hold hydrogen fuel used to generate power for its electric motor, giving it up to 850 kilometers of range