Society

Japan's new coronavirus panel holds 1st meeting

Jul 02 (NHK) - A new expert panel of Japan's government has met for the first time to assess the effectiveness of anti-coronavirus measures.

The four-member panel held its first meeting on Wednesday. Among the members are Kyoto University Professor Yamanaka Shinya and Professor Emeritus at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies Kurokawa Kiyoshi.

Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who's in charge of the country's coronavirus response, asked for the experts' cooperation.

He said he hopes to use all knowledge and technology available to improve anti-virus measures in preparation for a possible second wave of infections.

Starting this month, the government plans to use the supercomputer Fugaku and artificial intelligence to simulate how the virus could be transmitted through droplets.

The experts are expected to use such data to analyze the effectiveness of anti-virus measures.

Ishiba Shigeru elected LDP leader

Ishiba Shigeru has been elected leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The former LDP Secretary-General is now virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister. (NHK)

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

A Japanese government information-gathering satellite has successfully been put into a planned orbit around Earth. (NHK)

New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

Japan's National Police Agency is introducing new patrol cars equipped with red lights designed to assist people with hearing impairments, flashing differently depending on whether the vehicle is on an emergency run or a routine patrol.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

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New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

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