Politics | Jan 27

Japan plans to downgrade COVID-19 classification on May 8

TOKYO, Jan 27 (NHK) - The Japanese government is planning to downgrade COVID-19 on May 8 to the same category of infectious diseases as seasonal influenza.

The plan comes after Prime Minister Kishida Fumio last week instructed health minister Kato Katsunobu to consider reclassifying the disease to category five, the same grouping as the flu, in principle, this coming spring.

COVID-19 is currently classified as the equivalent to category two, the second-most severe tier on Japan's infectious disease classification system. The level allows authorities to take strict measures, including restrictions on people's movements to prevent the spread of the disease. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

MORE Politics NEWS

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.

Japan's PM Kishida Honors War Dead at Yasukuni

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has made a ritual offering at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo for its spring festival. (NHK)

POPULAR NEWS

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.

Young Faces, New Trends: The Rise of Makeup Among Japan's Students

Youngsters in Japan are enthusiastically embracing the world of cosmetics, with a recent survey reporting some 60% of elementary students own some form of makeup.

Decoding U.S. 'Black Ship' Data Centers in Japan

Major American IT companies like Microsoft and Oracle have announced substantial investments totalling 4 trillion yen ($26 billion) in data centers in Japan, sparking concerns about digital sovereignty and AI development.

Former Host Pleads Guilty to Receiving 25 Million Yen from "Riri-chan"

A former host admitted to knowingly receiving approximately 25 million yen that had been deceitfully obtained by convicted scammer "Riri-chan," in a trial held on April 23.

Sakura Tree Collapses on Teacher at Kyoto Tourist Spot

A cherry tree located at one of Kyoto's busiest pedestrian streets, Sanneizaka, a main pathway to Kiyomizu Temple, suddenly fell at 11:45 AM on Tuesday, trapping a school teacher beneath.

FOLLOW US