Japan

Japan to explore ‘simplified’ Olympic Games

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said on Thursday it may be necessary to a stage a "simplified" Olympics next year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and that organisers…

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Hitachi plans to make working-from-home standard practice

Japanese electronics giant Hitachi announced that it will aim to make working-from-home the new normal from April 2021, surprising many in Japan. Hitachi said it will give employees 3,000 yen…

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Japan may open doors to travellers from selected countries

Japan is considering re-opening its borders to travellers from selected countries which have low levels of coronavirus infections, as it begins to ease restrictions put in place earlier this year…

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Japan reports biggest one-day jump in cases in two weeks, raising fears of second wave

Japan reported 63 new coronavirus cases and seven new deaths on Thursday -- the biggest one-day jump in infections since May 14. Of the new cases on Thursday, 21 came…

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Tokyo residents take to the streets as Japan ends state of emergency

A day after Japan ended its state of emergency, Tokyo residents took to the streets with a mixture of relief and trepidation as they prepared for a "new normal" of living with…

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Japan slips into recession

Japan's economy slipped into recession for the first time in 4-1/2 years, putting the nation on course for its deepest postwar slump as the coronavirus crisis ravages businesses and consumers. Monday's first-quarter…

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China, S. Korea consult Japan on easing business-travel curbs

China and South Korea have consulted Japan about easing border controls on business travellers to help revive business activities, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday without citing sources. The idea,…

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Photo Story: Kyoto’s traditional Aoi festival held to overcome the pandemic

A Shinto priest performs a ritual during the Aoi Festival at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto, Japan, 15 May 2020. Aoi Festival, one of Kyoto's three main festivals, was conducted but…

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Coronavirus treatment trial using recovered patients’ blood could start in Japan in July

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd could start a clinical trial as early as July for a potential treatment of COVID-19 that is based on antibodies from recovered patients’ blood, company executives…

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Photo Story: Town in Japan uses folklore monsters to promote mask-wearing

A statue of Oni, a demon-like supernatural Japanese folklore creature or yokai, which was given a face mask sits on a bench in front of a closed grocery store in…

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Influential business lobby in Japan to waive patents to battle virus

Japan’s biggest business lobby, Keidanren, will ask its member companies to waive patents that might be helpful in developing technologies to fight the coronavirus, the Japan Times reported Toyota Motor…

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Toyota Provides Medical Facility with Transport Vehicle for Seriously Ill COVID-19 Patients

Toyota announced that it provided Showa University Hospital in Japan with a specially designed transport vehicle for seriously ill COVID-19 patients. The Toyota Hiace-based vehicle was developed and outfitted…

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Japan needs to keep emergency in place, 2021 Olympics ‘difficult,’ top doctor says

It is too early to consider lifting Japan's state of emergency over the coronavirus, the head of the Japan Medical Association Yoshitake Yokokura said on Tuesday, adding that it will…

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Japan to name and shame outlets defying coronavirus lockdown

Japan’s Osaka Prefecture said it will name and shame more pachinko parlour gambling outlets that are defying coronavirus lockdown requests after three out of six locations it identified on Friday…

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Coronavirus tally rises to 91 on Costa Atlantica ship in Japan

As many as 91 crew of an Italian cruise ship docked in Japan’s southwestern port of Nagasaki are infected with coronavirus, officials said on Friday, as questions persist over how…

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Photo Story: Crew members onboard Costa Atlantica test positive

At least 34 crew members have tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship docked in Japan for maintenance. The outbreak onboard the Italian-operated Costa Atlantica adds to concerns about…

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Flats as a temporary ‘coronavirus divorce’ to stressed couples in Japan

A Tokyo-based short-term rental firm launched a new service aiming to help couples avoid a “coronavirus divorce”. The concept is simple: renting 500-plus accommodation units across the country as…

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Japan virus expert ‘pessimistic’ Olympics can be held in 2021

A Japanese expert who has criticised the country's response to the coronavirus warned Monday that he is "pessimistic" that the postponed Olympics can be held even in 2021. "To be…

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Lacking protective gear, Japan’s Osaka pleads for plastic raincoats

The Japanese city of Osaka has issued an urgent plea for citizens to donate plastic raincoats to hospitals running short of protective gear for staff treating coronavirus patients, with some…

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Japan set to declare state of emergency

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will declare a state of emergency as early as Tuesday in a bid to stop the coronavirus spreading across the country, the Yomiuri newspaper reported,…

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Tokyo reports highest jump in one day of coronavirus cases

Some 143 more cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in Tokyo, the city’s governor said on Sunday, with the highest daily jump bringing the number of cases in…

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Japan on brink of coronavirus emergency

Japan remains on the brink of a state of emergency as the rate of new coronavirus cases accelerates across the country, its top government spokesman said on Wednesday, amid reports…

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Japan to ban travellers U.S., China, Europe

Japan will step up its efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus by banning the entry of foreign citizens traveling from the United States, China, South Korea and most of…

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Cherry blossoms, un-seasonal snowfall and fear – Covid19 in Japan

Visitors are viewing and taking photos of cherry blossoms in unseasonably snowfall in Tokyo, Japan, 29 March 2020 while Tokyo government warns to avoid crowd for viewing cherry blossoms in…

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Japan marks ninth anniversary of earthquake and tsunami without ceremony

People release balloons to comfort souls of victims at Arahama district in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, norther Japan, 11 March 2020. The Japanese government was forced to call off events and…

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Tokyo Olympics may face 1-2 year delay over coronavirus

A delay of one or two years would be the "most feasible" option if the Tokyo Olympics cannot be held this summer due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus,…

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Japan to temporarily close all schools

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he will ask all elementary and high schools across the country to temporarily close beginning Monday. The development comes after a man in his…

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Coronavirus confirmed in Japanese woman for second time, after initial recovery

A Japanese woman working as a tour-bus guide in Japan has tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, Osaka's prefectural government said, the first known person in the…

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Two passengers who were quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship died

Two passengers who were on the cruise ship quarantined because of the coronavirus have died, according to a report. They were a man and a woman in their 80s, Japanese…

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Passengers and crew leave Diamond Princess as quarantine ends

Hundreds of people who have been stuck on board a coronavirus-hit cruise ship for two weeks are being allowed to disembark. The ship is currently moored off the coast of…

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Emperor’s birthday event cancelled due to COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak

The Japanese Imperial Household Agency announced it has cancelled a birthday public appearance for Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace scheduled on 23 February 2020 due to the COVID-19 coronavirus…

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Japan’s economy shrinks at fastest rate since 2014

Japan's economy shrank at the fastest rate in five years at the end of 2019 as it was hit by a sales tax rise, a major typhoon and weak global…

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“United by Emotion” revealed as Tokyo Olympic Games’ motto

United by Emotion" has been revealed as the motto for this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the games organizing committee said Monday. A committee comprised of former athletes and others…

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Japan reports first COVID-19 death to take global total to 1,710

Japan has announced its first death from the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, taking the global total to 1,710. Health minister Katsunobu Kato said the victim was a woman in her 80s…

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More virus cases on cruise ship off Japan, Possible virus hot spot in Singapore

Ten more people on a quarantined cruise liner in Japan have tested positive for coronavirus, officials said on Thursday, as health experts stepped up efforts to find a vaccine for…

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Olympic organisers ‘seriously concerned’ by coronavirus spread

Olympic organisers are "seriously concerned" about the spread of coronavirus and the impact it could have on the Tokyo Games this summer. Several qualification events have already been impacted due…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Mount Fuji, Japan

Mount Fuji is seen from a Tokyo-bound passenger plane, near Shizuoka, Japan. Located at around 100 kilometres from Tokyo and standing at 3,776 meters high, Mount Fuji is a symbol…

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Mitsubishi Electric data likely compromised in massive cyberattack blamed on Chinese group

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said Monday it has been targeted in a massive cyberattack, and that information regarding government agencies and other business partners may have been compromised, with a Chinese…

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Japan announces creation of space force in face of new threats

Japan's prime minister has announced his country will create a space defence force, in an effort to protect it from technological threats. Working closely with US President Donald Trump, the…

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Photo Story: Japanese Emperor Naruhito presents his opening address to parliament members

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends the opening of a regular parliamentary session at the upper house of the Diet in Tokyo, Japan, 20 January 2020. Emperor Naruhito presented his opening address…

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Photo Story: The 25th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake in Japan remembered

Residents offer prayers for victims of the Great Hanshin (Kobe) Earthquake, in Kobe, western Japan, 17 January 2020. The event marked the 25th anniversary of the disaster, a 7.3 magnitude…

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Japan confirms first case of new China coronavirus strain

Japan has confirmed its first case of infection from the new China coronavirus that has killed one person and prompted a travel alert from the US state department. A…

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Photo Story: New Year ice water bathing ceremony in Tokyo

A man kisses a block of ice during an ice-cold water bathing ceremony at the Teppozu Inari Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2020. Men and women participants took part…

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Japanese royal couple’s New Year address to the country

(L-R) Japan's former Empress Michiko, former Emperor Akihito, his son and current Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Crown Prince Akishino greet well-wishers through a bullet-proof glass from a balcony…

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Japan Airlines to offer 50,000 free round-trip domestic flights to foreign tourists

Japan Airlines Co. has said it will launch a campaign to offer free round-trip domestic flight tickets to up to 50,000 foreign nationals who visit Japan next summer. The initiative,…

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Boat with two human heads washes up on Japanese coast

A handout photo made available by Sado Coast Guard Office shows Korean letters written on the outside of a wooden boat that washed ashore on Sao Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.…

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Japan executes first foreigner in a decade

Japan on Thursday executed a 40-year-old Chinese man who was convicted of murdering a Japanese family in 2003. Justice Minister Masako Mori said she had ordered the execution of the…

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Japan plans to send 270 sailors to Middle East to guard ships

Japan is working on a plan to send about 270 seamen to the Middle East to guard ships supplying Japan under a law that allows military deployments for research and…

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Nestlé Japan launches KitKat with cocoa fruit chocolate

Nestlé has just launched the KitKat Chocolatory Cacao Fruit Chocolate, the first product to use a unique chocolate made entirely from the cocoa fruit. The iconic crispy KitKat wafer is…

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Japan’s former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone dies aged 101

Japanese former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone speaks during a press conference for the 28th Praemium Imperiale award in Tokyo, Japan, 17 October 2016 (reissued 29 November 2019). Japan's NHK television…

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Japan and South Korea scramble planes to shadow Russian bombers

Japan and South Korea scrambled jets to shadow two Russian strategic bombers over the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, Russian news agencies…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis in Japan

Pope Francis (R) gives his blessings to a baby as he arrives at Tokyo Dome prior to celebrating a Holy Mass in Tokyo, Japan, 25 November 2019. The pope is…

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Pope voices concern over future energy as he comforts victims of Fukushima disaster

Pope Francis expressed concern about future energy sources as he comforted victims of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear reactor disaster on Monday, noting a call by Japan’s Catholic bishops to abolish…

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Pope Francis to visit Japan from Saturday

Pope Francis ended his visit in Thailand and is set to arrive in Japan on Saturday to spread his message of peace. He will be the first head of the…

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Photo Story: 2019 Beaujolais Nouveau official release in Japan

People raise their glasses filled with 2019 Beaujolais Nouveau wine, as they bathe in a 'wine bath', coloured hot water, on the day of the Beaujolais Nouveau official release, at…

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Abe becomes Japan’s longest serving PM

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became Japan’s longest-serving premier on Wednesday, a remarkable feat for a leader who once quit in humiliation, but the day was marred by questions about possible…

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Placido Domingo won’t perform at Tokyo Olympics cultural events

The Tokyo Olympics organizing committee said Friday opera legend Placido Domingo has said he won’t perform at pre-Olympics cultural events in Japan. The committee said in a statement that Domingo…

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