Society

Fukuoka forbids cruise ships until vaccine or cure

Aug 19 (NHK) - Fukuoka City, the operator of the key western Japanese port of Hakata, has drawn up a policy that rejects port calls by cruise ships until an effective treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 is established.

The policy is based on an ordinance on port operation and has been in effect since June.

It says the city will not permit port calls by cruise ships which have docked at countries or territories where there have been infections or are carrying people from such places.

It says the city will allow port calls if vaccines are approved in Japan and become available at medical institutions, or if an effective treatment method is established.

The transport ministry says Hakata Port received the most cruise ships for four straight years through 2018 and preliminary reports from 2019 rank it second after Naha Port in Okinawa Prefecture.

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

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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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