Society

Osaka overtakes Tokyo coronavirus death toll with 1,958 fatalities

May 17 (Japan Times) - Osaka Prefecture logged 620 new COVID-19 cases and 15 coronavirus-linked deaths on Sunday while Tokyo reported 542 cases a day after logging 772 infections.

The total in Osaka was lower than the 785 cases and 42 deaths it reported a day earlier, but still just above the 600-threshold. The daily tally in the prefecture fell below 600 on Friday, when it reported 576 cases, for the first time since early April.

In Tokyo, Sunday’s figure came after the it reported 1,032 cases a week ago and 879 on May 2.

In the capital, the seven-day average of new infections came to 806.4, compared to 798.4 a week before.

Among the new cases, people age 65 or older accounted for 61 infections. The number of COVID-19 patients in Tokyo considered to be seriously ill under the metropolitan government’s criteria came to 84, down one from Saturday.

Also Sunday, tougher measures in the fight against the coronavirus entered into effect in six prefectures nationwide, with three coming under an expanded state of emergency and another three under a quasi-emergency.

Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima joined Tokyo and five other prefectures already under the emergency, which is set to run through May 31, while a quasi-emergency currently covering seven prefectures was expanded to Gunma, Ishikawa and Kumamoto until June 13.

Osaka Expands Indoor Smoking Ban

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

Japan's Imperial Household Launches YouTube Channel

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

New Recruits Across Japan Mark First Day as Working Adults

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

Death Toll Could Reach 298,000 in Nankai Trough Megaquake

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

Tokyo's Cherry Blossoms Bloom Early This Year

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 30th that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino) in central Tokyo have reached full bloom, one day earlier than the historical average and five days earlier than last year.

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This Small Japanese Town Has Been a UFO Hotspot for 50 Years

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Surge in Japanese Women Wearing Men's Suits

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Barrier Installed Under Glico Sign in Osaka to Prevent Loitering

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