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Coronavirus cases rise in Japan's major cities

Nov 08 (NHK) - Officials in Japan are reporting more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day.

The surge in infections is especially high in the Tokyo and Osaka metropolitan areas and the prefectures of Kanagawa and Aichi.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced 294 new cases on Saturday. It's the third day in a row that the daily number of confirmed cases has exceeded 200.

Infection numbers have also jumped in Hokkaido, northern Japan, where 187 new cases were reported on Saturday. The prefecture's coronavirus task force has raised the alert level to "Stage 3" on a scale of one to five.

It's also asking that, until November 27th, bars and nightclubs in the entertainment district of the main city of Sapporo close at 10:00 PM and that restaurants stop serving alcohol by the same time. Businesses that comply will receive subsidies.

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Kyoto City’s accommodation tax, introduced in 2018, is likely to see an increase, with the maximum rate potentially rising to 10,000 yen.

The New York Times has released its list of "52 Places to Go in 2025," selecting Toyama and Osaka among the featured locations.

Ahead of the opening of CES, the world’s largest technology expo, Sony Group and Honda have unveiled their first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) model under the ‘AFEELA’ brand.

Heavy snowfall has caused damage to Hirosaki Castle, and further precautions are needed as the season’s strongest cold wave is expected to hit starting the evening of January 7th.

Prime Minister Ishiba has positioned regional revitalization as the "Reiwa-era National Transformation" in his New Year's address, outlining plans to curb Tokyo’s overconcentration by promoting the relocation of central government agencies to regional areas.

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This year marks 80 years since the end of World War II, yet some individuals in the Philippines, torn apart from their Japanese parents during the war, continue to live as "stateless" citizens. An investigation sheds light on the lives of these Japanese descendants.

Reports of wild boars in urban areas are on the rise, creating concern among residents. In Fukuoka Prefecture, a wild boar was seen persistently following a white car waiting to turn at an intersection, refusing to leave its side.

A 46-year-old man arrested for vandalizing a restroom inside the Imperial Palace during the New Year's public greeting has been sent to prosecutors, with further investigations underway into graffiti found on a nearby manhole.

In 2025, all members of the postwar baby boomer generation will reach the age of 75 or older, becoming what is categorized as late-stage elderly. The sudden surge in people requiring care has raised concerns over the so-called "2025 Problem," posing a serious challenge to caregiving services.

On New Year’s Day 2024, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Japan's Noto peninsula and claimed nearly 470 lives. One year later, survivors of the devastating quake still live in temporary accommodation in the town of Wajima. (South China Morning Post)

Various traditional events marking the New Year were held across the country. In Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture, the ‘Horanyenya’ festival, in which boats are rowed to rhythmic chants, took place.

During the New Year's holidays from January 1st to 3rd, two elderly men in Tokyo lost their lives after choking on mochi, according to the Tokyo Fire Department, which has issued a warning urging caution when consuming the traditional rice cake.

A Shinto ritual wishing for abundant harvests and good fishing throughout the year was held at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka City, one of Japan’s three major Hachiman shrines.