Japan declares quasi-emergency for 3 prefectures
NHK -- Jan 07
Japan is imposing stricter coronavirus measures in response to a spike in cases. The government has declared a quasi-emergency in three prefectures where the virus is quickly spreading.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "We've decided to apply this intensive measure to curb the spread of infection in Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Okinawa prefectures. It will be in place from January 9th to January 31st."
The measure will allow governors in the three prefectures to impose targeted measures in areas where there are outbreaks. The move is aimed at ensuring medical systems are not overwhelmed.
Local officials will be able to ask bars and restaurants to take stricter precautions. That could mean stopping alcohol sales, closing early or limiting the number of customers.
Okinawa reported more than 1,400 new cases on Friday, setting a record for the second day in a row. The tally does not include more than 250 new infections reported by US military bases in the prefecture.
Officials in Yamaguchi have likewise seen a spike in on-base cases followed by rising cases in the city that hosts it.
The mayor has suggested the highly-transmissible Omicron variant is spilling out of the US base. Case counts are also rising sharply in neighboring Hiroshima Prefecture.
新型コロナウイルスについて東京では7日、新たに922人の新規陽性確認がありました。
こうしたなか、東京都はまもなく飲食店の人数制限を8人から4人にすることを正式に決定します。 - ANNnewsCH
Record women, LGBTQ election hopefuls run to shake up Japan politics
Kyodo - Jul 07
A record number of both women and LGBTQ candidates are campaigning to win over voters in the House of Councillors election on Sunday and potentially bring change to Japan's male-dominated political landscape.
Inflation is Japan’s political hot potato as election looms
The Star - Jul 07
The rising cost of living is turning into a thorny political issue ahead of Japan’s upper house election this weekend, as opposition parties peg blame for recent price hikes on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s policies.
Japan wary of provocations amid intrusions by Chinese, Russian vessels
AsiaNews - Jul 06
The Japanese government is becoming increasingly vigilant over provocations by Beijing and Moscow, following sightings of Chinese and Russian naval vessels in waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture on Monday morning.
Price cap on Russian oil to be about half of current price: Japan PM
Kyodo - Jul 04
The price cap to be imposed on Russian oil to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine is expected to be around half the current purchase price, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday.
Japanese asked to save power as country’s east sizzles
Reuters - Jul 01
The highest temperatures in at least 147 years have scorched much of eastern Japan for a week as of Friday, with the government asking citizens to cut power use as much as possible, while still running air conditioners to stay safe.
Japan warns on 'interests' after Russia gas project decree
The Sun daily - Jul 01
Japan’s energy “interests must not be undermined”, Tokyo said Friday, after Moscow issued a decree transferring operations of a key oil and gas project to a new Russian company.
Japan power plant shutdown raises fear of shortage in sweltering heat
Sun Daily - Jun 30
Japan’s electricity grid creaked on Thursday under the strain of Tokyo’s hottest June since records began, with the unexpected shutdown of a power plant raising fears that tens of millions of people could be deprived of power on another scorching day.
Japan, NATO to produce cooperation document
NHK - Jun 30
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says his government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will work out a new document on their cooperation.
Japan’s Kishida, South Korea’s Yoon meet for first time in Spain
inquirer.net - Jun 29
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol for the first time in Madrid on Tuesday evening at a gala dinner hosted by Spain’s King Felipe VI.
Britain to lift import restriction on food products from Fukushima
Kyodo - Jun 28
Britain on Wednesday will lift import restrictions on some Japanese food products imposed in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Kishida calls for G7 unity to tackle soaring prices
NHK - Jun 27
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has said the Group of Seven nations should further strengthen their unity to protect the lives of people affected by soaring prices amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Kishida announces additional sanctions on Russia
NHK - Jun 27
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced additional sanctions against Russia, including a ban on imports of Russian gold.
Japan PM Kishida hopes to show G-7 unity amid Ukraine war, inflation
Kyodo - Jun 26
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday he will seek to confirm unity with his fellow Group of Seven leaders in responding to Russia's war against Ukraine, inflation and other global challenges.
City in western Japan loses memory stick with data on 460,000 residents
NHK - Jun 23
The city of Amagasaki in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, has lost a USB device containing the personal information of more than 460,000 residents.
Woman in Belgium becomes mayor in Japan
UNI - Jun 22
A Japanese woman living in Belgium has become the mayor of Suginami, a district in Tokyo after she gained prominence through her online campaigning during the pandemic.
Kishida critics seize on weak yen in Japan upper house election
Al Jazeera - Jun 22
Campaigning for Japan’s upper house election kicked off with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida fighting off criticism of the ultra-loose monetary policy he continues to support despite worries that it’s accelerating price increases.
