Society

Less than 1% of Tokyo residents 'have antibodies'

Feb 06 (NHK) - A Japanese health ministry survey shows that less than one percent of people in Tokyo and four other prefectures are estimated to have had antibodies against the coronavirus last December.

Ministry officials say this means that most of Japan's population have yet to acquire antibodies, and they are urging people not to let their guard down.

Antibodies, which are a type of blood protein, are produced after people become infected with the virus. The presence of antibodies in the blood suggests infection has occurred in the past.

The ministry tested blood samples of about 15,000 residents aged 20 or older from Tokyo, Osaka, Miyagi, Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures, from December 14 to 25.

The subjects were randomly selected from those who wanted to be tested. The ministry released the test results on Friday.

The results show that antibodies were confirmed in 0.91 percent of people tested in Tokyo, 0.58 percent in Osaka, 0.54 percent in Aichi, 0.19 percent in Fukuoka and 0.14 percent in Miyagi.

Antibodies tests had already been conducted in Tokyo, Osaka and Miyagi prefectures in June.

Compared with the June test, Tokyo's figure grew by 0.81 percentage points. The figures increased by 0.41 points in Osaka and 0.11 points in Miyagi.

The officials are urging the public to remain cautious about the coronavirus. They note that antibodies in those who had been infected may disappear over time, meaning they will lose their immunity to the virus.

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.

University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

The University of Tokyo has officially decided to increase tuition by approximately 110,000 yen for incoming undergraduate students starting next academic year, bringing the total to 642,960 yen.

Death toll rises to 9 in Japan's Ishikawa following heavy rain

Emergency officials say the death toll from record rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture has risen to nine. (NHK)

Russian military plane intrudes into Japanese airspace, Tokyo lodges protest

A Japanese government spokesperson says a Russian military airplane entered Japanese airspace three times on Monday. (NHK)

Kishida vows in meeting with Zelenskyy continued support for Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has conveyed his country's intention to maintain support for Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (NHK)

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Woman in Floral Mini-Skirt Targets Zoo Outlets with Mysterious Tape

Strange incidents involving a woman placing black tape on outlets have been occurring around zoos in the Izu area of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Japanese Households with Buddhist Altars Has Drastically Decreased

As the number of households with Buddhist altars continues to decline, largely due to space limitations in modern housing, wholesalers of Buddhist goods are struggling with unsold inventory.

Twelve Referred to Prosecutors for Alleged Abuse at Kuwana Festival Horse Event

Twelve individuals involved in the traditional 'Ageuma Shinji' horse event held last year at Tado Shrine in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, have been referred to prosecutors on allegations of violent behavior toward horses, including forcing them up steep slopes.