Japan to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

Apr 28, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan has formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8, paving the way for full normalization of social and economic activities.

The finalization of the schedule comes as the government mulls bringing forward the lifting of its remaining coronavirus border control measures by more than a week to Friday, in anticipation of travelers leaving Japan during Golden Week, then returning after the holidays.

Japan's annual string of national holidays known as Golden Week begins on Saturday.

Under the current requirement, all entrants to the country must present certification of having received at least three COVID-19 vaccination shots or provide a negative result from a coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Infectious disease experts at a health ministry panel gave the green light to the planned reclassification schedule based on the current coronavirus pandemic situation and the preparedness of the health care system for a resurgence across the country. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

Typhoon No. 25 Batters Tokyo and Chiba

Typhoon No. 25 was making its closest approach to the Kanto region on September 21, bringing central Tokyo into the storm-force wind zone while torrential rain caused widespread flooding, landslides and road damage across Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama.

Typhoon Causes Widespread Transport Disruption Across Kanto

Typhoon No. 25 was moving away from the Kanto coast on the night of September 21 after bringing widespread disruption to flights, railways and highways, but serious transport problems were set to continue into September 22, particularly across Chiba Prefecture.

Japan's Elderly Population Hits Record 29.6%

People aged 65 and older accounted for a record 29.6% of Japan's population in 2026, the highest proportion among major countries worldwide, while the number of elderly people in employment also reached an all-time high as Japan marked Respect for the Aged Day on September 21.

Emperor and Empress Watch Asian Games Basketball

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched Japan defeat Kazakhstan in a women’s basketball preliminary-round game at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.

Drone Hits Nagoya City Hall During Asian Games Light-Up

A drone filming the illuminated Nagoya City Hall headquarters crashed into a building across the road shortly before 9 p.m. on September 17, with police investigating whether the flight may have violated Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Japan Warns of Anti-Japanese Sentiment Rising in China

China held commemorative events across the country on September 18 to mark the 95th anniversary of the Mukden Incident, the 1931 railway explosion that Japan's Kwantung Army used as a pretext to seize Manchuria and which became a major turning point in the deterioration of relations between Japan and China.

Takaichi Reshuffles Cabinet To Steady Markets And Party

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi launched her first cabinet reshuffle since taking office, keeping core economic, foreign-policy and security ministers in place while replacing a broad group of other ministers in an attempt to stabilize her government before a difficult autumn of tax, budget, monetary policy and diplomatic battles.

Japan Confirms Global Hawk Drone Crashed Off Tottori

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force has concluded that a large Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that lost communication off Tottori Prefecture on September 15 crashed into the sea.

Takaichi Retains Core LDP Team

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi launched a new Liberal Democratic Party executive team on September 16, retaining most of the party’s senior leadership while pledging to unite the government and ruling party to overcome a difficult political and economic environment.

Global Hawk Reconnaissance Drone Missing Off Tottori

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft went missing over international waters about 50 kilometers north of Tottori Prefecture on September 15, with floating debris and oil later found in the area where communications were lost.

Tax Cut Plan Leaves Funding Gap As BOJ Decision Nears

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government entered a decisive political week on September 15 after approving an outline for food-tax relief and household payouts without settling how the package will be funded, keeping fiscal concerns alive just days before the Bank of Japan is expected to decide whether to raise interest rates again.

Japan to Cut Food Consumption Tax to 1% for Two Years

Japan's government is set to approve tax reform guidelines on September 15 that will reduce the consumption tax on food from the current 8% to 1% for two years starting in April 2027 as part of measures to ease the burden of rising prices.

LDP-Backed Koja Wins Okinawa Governor Race

Genta Koja, a former deputy mayor of Naha who accepts the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko in Nago, won the Okinawa gubernatorial election on September 13, defeating incumbent Governor Denny Tamaki and bringing an end to 12 years of prefectural administrations committed to blocking the project.

< 2 3 4 5 >