Society

Anti-infection center to be set up for Tokyo Games

Oct 28 (NHK) - A center for coronavirus prevention will be in operation during the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next summer.

Officials from the Japanese government, the Tokyo Metropolitan government and the Tokyo Organising Committee met on Tuesday at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss the matter.

They decided to set up the anti-infection center under the oversight of the organizing committee.

Officials say that the center will be tasked with recording details on the condition of athletes and others involved in the Games who enter the country to take part. It will also be responsible for tracing the infection route of any confirmed cases.

Participants at the meeting also decided to consider building a hub for coordinating activities such as treatment of outpatients suffering from fever, patient transport, hospitalization in the Olympic village and the oversight of private laboratories.

The government will discuss with the IOC and athletic federations possible guidelines for dealing with athletes who have been confirmed to be infected or found to have come into close contact with infected persons during the Games.

Japan Set for First Female Leader

A special session of the Diet convened on October 21st, where Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Takeuchi is expected to be chosen as Japan’s next prime minister in the afternoon’s leadership vote. Following a coalition agreement reached on October 20th between the LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai, Takeuchi’s appointment is now virtually certain, paving the way for her to become the first woman in Japan’s constitutional history to lead the government.

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Strengthens Over South China Sea, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 201st show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Mako Komuro Appears in Six-Page Town & Country Feature

The October issue of the long-established American lifestyle magazine Town & Country features Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family, on the cover under the headline "Princess Ingognito," dedicating a six-page spread to Komuro and her husband Kei, exploring their life in the United States.