Society

Sense of normalcy returning in Japan

Oct 10 (NHK) - The coronavirus situation in Japan appears to be improving. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 82 new cases on Saturday. That is the lowest number recorded in the capital this year.

New infections are also trending downward nationwide. 777 cases were confirmed on Saturday. Over 25,000 new cases were reported daily in August at the peak of the fifth wave. The numbers have continued to fall even after the state of emergency was lifted 2 weeks ago.

Toho University Professor Tateda Kazuhiro said, "While we try to keep the number of infections at the current level, economic activities must be restored gradually and with caution. We must try to strike the right balance."

A sense of normalcy is starting to return, now that the state of emergency has been lifted. That is prompting more people to get out and about this weekend.

Spectators flocked to watch a cycling race in Oita city in southwestern Japan. They were asked to present proof that they were fully vaccinated or had tested negative for the coronavirus.

On Saturday, a zoo in Tokyo started allowing up to 6,500 people to visit per day. That is more than triple the number previously permitted.

Twin giant pandas were born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in June. They were given the names Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei on Friday. The zoo says the twins will make their public debut in January.

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