Society

UK coronavirus variant surging in Japan

Apr 14 (NHK) - Surveys by local governments in Japan show the coronavirus variant first detected in Britain is surging in the country. The variant, dubbed N501Y, is said to be more transmissible than the original coronavirus.

In Osaka Prefecture, a survey of 304 people who tested positive in the week through April 3 showed 73.7 percent, or 224, with the variant.

The proportion of people with the variant was 41.7 percent in the week through March 13, 48.6 percent through March 20 and 65 percent through March 27.

In Tokyo, 130 people, or 25.5 percent, of the 510 who tested positive in the week through Sunday were confirmed to have the variant.

The proportion was 3.1 percent in the week through March 28, but rose to 16 percent in the week through April 4. It's now up by almost another ten points.

The surveys did not cover all who were infected and they include areas with large numbers of people who've had close contact with the variant-positive.

But officials are stepping up alerts as the percentage is rising.

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

Japan is facing a deepening crisis of poverty and inequality, with rising reports of 'invisible homeless' individuals and growing economic hardships among the population. Discussions over reforms to the country's tax and welfare systems have taken center stage, as policymakers grapple with how to provide meaningful support.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

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