Politics | Jul 23

Japan to ease COVID curbs despite spike in new cases

Jul 23 (Nikkei) - Japan announced plans Friday to relax restrictions on close contacts of people who test positive for COVID-19, reducing the self-isolation period to as short as three days.

Under the new rules, those who test negative on the second and third day after close contact will no longer need to quarantine. The previous threshold had been five days. The self-isolation period for untested close contacts will be shortened from seven days to five.

Japan reported around 195,000 new COVID cases on Friday in an ongoing record surge. Rather than tightening restrictions on movement, the government is relaxing curbs with an eye toward preventing staffing shortages and the economic impact that would result.

"We are not considering new restrictions on movement at this point," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday at the Keidanren business lobby's summer forum in Karuizawa.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare that day expanded eligibility for those seeking a fourth vaccine dose to health care and nursing care staff.

Source: ANNnewsCH

MORE Politics NEWS

Revealing the Hidden World of Japan's Public Security Police

Akira Ikegami engages in a compelling conversation with Enkaku Katsumaru, a former member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau, Foreign Affairs Division.

Tokyo Moves to Curb "KasuHara"

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials say "customer harassment" of service staff and other workers is a growing problem across the capital. (NHK)

Kishida Government to Discontinue 15 Fund Projects, Redirecting 540 Billion Yen

In a significant move against what has been labeled as "breeding grounds for waste," the Japanese government has decided to terminate 15 state-funded projects, planning to return more than 540 billion yen to the national treasury.

< 2 3 4 5 >

Unpacking Japan's Lavish School Lunch

The Cabinet Office's Government Public Relations Office recently stirred controversy with a social media post showcasing an overly lavish depiction of school lunches, leading to a public outcry over the authenticity of the meals presented.

Gotanda JP Building Opens Doors with Hoshino Resort on High Floors

Tokyo's Shinagawa district welcomes a new landmark with the grand opening of the Gotanda JP Building on Friday, April 26, featuring a dog-friendly hotel by Hoshino Resort, co-working spaces, and a vibrant culinary scene.

'SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024' Opens in Tokyo, Highlights Future Technologies

Starting this Saturday, 'SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024' begins a month-long showcase of Japan's advanced technologies, featuring attractions such as self-driving carts styled as futuristic floats and projection mapping installations, all available to the public for free.

BBC Accused of Distorting Smile-Up President's Comments

Japanese company Smile-Up, the former talent agency known as Johnny & Associates, says it has sent a letter of protest to Britain's public broadcaster BBC over its program on sexual abuse by its late founder. (NHK)

Japan's Population Crisis: 744 Municipalities Could Disappear by 2050

A private organization has revealed that approximately 40% of the national municipalities, totaling 744, could potentially disappear by 2050 due to declining populations.