Society

Japan won't require Olympic vaccinations despite appeal

Feb 25 (Kyodo) - Japan's Olympics minister said Wednesday that coronavirus vaccinations would not be a prerequisite for participation at this summer's Olympics and Paralympics, despite a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal that athletes be inoculated.

"We are putting together a number of comprehensive measures to realize a safe and secure event without needing vaccinations to be a prerequisite," Tamayo Marukawa, who last week took over as Olympics minister, told a press conference.

Marukawa's comments are in line with the Japanese government policy. On Tuesday, however, the anti-doping body WADA assured athletes of the safety of the vaccines, recommending Olympians receive them "for your own health, for the health of those around you and for the population at large."

Although other countries have indicated their intent to vaccinate the athletes they send to Tokyo, Japan is facing delays in its vaccination program, making it less likely that the host nation's athletes can receive them prior to the Olympics, set to begin on July 23.

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

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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)

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