Society

Tokyo reports 258 new coronavirus cases after recent record rises

Aug 03 (Japan Times) - Tokyo reported 258 new coronavirus cases Monday, down from the record-breaking increases of recent days, but still a high figure amid a resurgence of infections since last month.

The latest figure comes after Tokyo reported 292 cases Sunday, and a record high 472 cases Saturday and 463 cases Friday.

The government has asked people to â€œconsider carefullyâ€ whether they need to return to their hometowns during summer vacation, citing fears that such trips could spread the virus, particularly among older people.

The request comes despite the governmentâ€™s controversial subsidy program to spur domestic tourism hit by the pandemic.

Infections among family members and friends are rising in the capital. Two families of five had all of their family members infected, while six from a group of seven people who traveled together got infected.

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

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Garbage Burnoff Spreads to 3 Buildings in Okayama

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Gang Members Arrested After Opening Office Near Nursery

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Six Police Officers Injured After Man Sprays Liquid at Station

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