Society

Japan records over 100,000 new cases on Friday

Jul 15 (NHK) - Japan's health experts are warning of an explosive increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in the country.

The daily tally topped 100,000 on Friday for the first time since early February. That's more than double the number recorded a week ago. About one-fifth of the cases reported on Friday were in Tokyo.

Some hospitals are busy responding to the spike. Fifty patients with a fever visited a clinic near Tokyo on Friday morning, and almost half of them tested positive for the virus.

A doctor at the clinic said, "Things have changed drastically in the last 2 weeks. We are very concerned about the situation."

Experts blame the surge on the Omicron subvariant BA.5, which is believed to be highly infectious.

They say it's not clear whether the subvariant is more prone to triggering severe symptoms.

Tateda Kazuhiro, a professor from Toho University said, "An explosive increase in infections would lead to a rise in the number of serious cases. We need to monitor the situation very carefully."

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said earlier in the day that he does not intend to introduce new restrictions right now.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Record 12 Killed in Bear Attacks Across Japan

Bear attacks are reaching unprecedented levels across Japan, with a record 12 fatalities so far this year as sightings continue daily from mountain towns to city centers, disrupting schools and local institutions.

Hachiko Statue Sealed Off Ahead of Halloween in Shibuya

Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward has installed barricades around the Hachiko statue in front of Shibuya Station as part of safety measures ahead of Halloween on October 31st.

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Sense of Crisis in World Heritage Shirakawa Village: ‘Never a Year with So Many Bears Before’

Bear sightings have surged across Japan, and in Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa Village—home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go—local authorities held a nighttime drill on October 28th to prepare for possible emergencies.

Japan Mobility Show Opens, Toyota Unveils Century Coupe

The Japan Mobility Show opened on October 29th, marking the start of Japan’s premier automotive exhibition, where foreign manufacturers are stepping up their entry into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Abe Shooting Suspect Admits Murder

The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old accused of fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, began on October 28th at the Nara District Court. While Yamagami has admitted to killing Abe, the central issue now lies in determining his sentence.

Miyakojima’s Paantu Festival: Mud-Covered Gods Chase Away Evil Spirits

The traditional ritual of Paantu, in which masked gods covered in mud ward off evil spirits, took place on October 28th in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, filling the village with laughter and screams.

Car Crashes Into Dealership in Gunma

A passenger car crashed into a Nissan dealership in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, on October 29th, damaging a total of nine vehicles including those on display.

Trump Meets Japan's Emperor for First Time in Six Years

Emperor Naruhito met with former U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time in six years at the Imperial Palace on October 27th. The two exchanged greetings in English, with the Emperor saying, "I’m pleased to see you again," as he welcomed Trump to the Imperial residence around 6:30 p.m.

University Worker Arrested Again for Spraying on Girl's Shorts

A 43-year-old former employee of Tsuda University has been re-arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of vandalism for spraying his bodily fluid on female students’ clothing on campus.

Woman Found Dead Near Rice Field in Akita, Bear Attack Suspected

An elderly woman was found dead in a roadside ditch in Akita City on October 27th, with police investigating the possibility that she was attacked by a bear. A local resident discovered the woman lying face down in a drainage channel around 11 a.m. and called emergency services.

Man Arrested Near U.S. Embassy After Wielding Knife, Injuring Riot Officer

A 38-year-old man was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on October 24th after attacking a riot police officer with a knife, injuring the officer’s right leg.

Tokyo Court Rules Workplace Use of '-chan' as Sexual Harassment

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

< 2 3 4 5 >