Health ministry to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits

Aug 18 (NHK) - Japan's health ministry has decided to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits if they meet certain conditions such as their accuracy is on a par with government-approved products.

Sales of the products at pharmacies have been allowed since late last year, as a special measure, on the conditions that pharmacists explain how to use them to buyers.

Experts have advocated that a system should be put in place so that people would always be able to acquire affordable kits.

They say this is because the need for proof of a negative virus test result is expected to increase, if economic and social activities pick up.

They also noted that the latest surge of COVID-19 infections in Japan has flooded medical institutions with patients and made it difficult for people to get tested. ...continue reading

Nissan to Cut 9,000 Jobs, Focuses Layoffs on Production Sites

Nissan Motor is implementing a workforce reduction plan involving 9,000 employees, with over 70% of the cuts concentrated in production sites, according to a JNN investigation.

Osaka-Kansai Expo Faces Construction Delays and Slow Ticket Sales

The Osaka-Kansai Expo is three months away and challenges remain in areas such as pavilion construction and ticket sales.

Tokyo Cedar Pollen Season Starts Record Early Since 1985

Cedar pollen dispersal in Tokyo began on January 8th, marking the earliest start since monitoring began in 1985, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Japan Backs Study on Deep-Sea Oxygen Beyond Photosynthesis

The Japan Foundation has announced a joint research project with a UK research group to investigate the mysterious oxygen produced in the lightless depths of the ocean, known as 'dark oxygen,' which forms through methods other than photosynthesis.

Nintendo to Launch Switch 2 in 2025, Teaser Video Released

Nintendo announced on January 16th that it will release the successor to the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2, sometime in 2025.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Emperor Congratulates Trump Ahead of Inauguration Ceremony

Emperor Naruhito has sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration ceremony.

Aomori Prefecture Welcomes Its First Female Mayor

Yuriko Sakurada, 57, a former deputy speaker of Towada's city council, has become Aomori Prefecture's first female mayor.

Tokyo to Cover Student Loan Repayment for Newly Hired Teachers

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has unveiled a plan to start covering up to 1.5 million yen in student loan repayments for individuals hired as teachers or technical public officials in the city starting from April this year. The initiative is expected to launch next year.

Defense Minister Joins Training as 11 Nations Gather

The Ground Self-Defense Force's First Airborne Brigade held its annual "First Parachute Training" exercise at the Narashino Training Ground in Chiba Prefecture, where Defense Minister Nakatanit also took part in the drills.

Ishiba Aims to Revitalize Japan with Regional Revamp

Prime Minister Ishiba has positioned regional revitalization as the "Reiwa-era National Transformation" in his New Year's address, outlining plans to curb Tokyo’s overconcentration by promoting the relocation of central government agencies to regional areas.