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TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to extend a nationwide state of emergency imposed over the coronavirus, possibly by another month, local media reported on Thursday. The measure was initially declared on April 7 across seven regions experiencing a spike in infections, but was later expanded to cover the entire country. With the initial month-long period coming to an end next week after the country’s annual Golden Week holidays, local […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The Bank of Japan on Monday ramped up its emergency monetary easing, lifting the cap on its buying of government bonds and increasing purchases of other assets while cutting its growth forecasts. After a meeting shortened from two days to one, the central bank said it would shift to unlimited government bond-buying and more than double its capacity to purchase corporate bonds and commercial papers — a move to support Japan […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — At least 48 crew aboard a cruise ship docked in the Japanese city of Nagasaki has tested positive for coronavirus, local authorities said Thursday after confirming 14 additional cases. The Costa Atlantica first arrived in Nagasaki in January to undergo repairs, with around 600 crew on board. Officials said they hoped to test all crew members by the end of the week with “some 200 to 300” tests likely to be […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Eight babies and toddlers at a Tokyo care centre have tested positive for the coronavirus after a staff member contracted the disease, its operator said on Wednesday. Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital, which operates the facility, said the affected children had been hospitalised, while another 21 tested negative and were under observation. The facility is for orphans or children separated from their parents because of possible abuse or neglect. A staff member […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — At least 34 crew members aboard a cruise ship docked in the Japanese city of Nagasaki have tested positive for coronavirus, local authorities said on Wednesday. The Costa Atlantica first arrived in Nagasaki in January to undergo repairs, with several hundred crew on board. Over the weekend, the ship’s operator contacted local authorities seeking help to test suspected cases on board. An initial four tests carried out on the ship revealed […]
by Sara HUSSEIN Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Japanese expert who has criticised the country’s response to the coronavirus warned Monday that he is “pessimistic” that the postponed Olympics can be held even in 2021. “To be honest with you I don’t think the Olympics is likely to be held next year,” said Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious diseases at Kobe University. Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) agreed last […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese medics are warning more must be done to prevent the coronavirus from overwhelming the country’s healthcare system as confirmed cases passed 10,000, despite a nationwide state of emergency. Experts have been alarmed by a recent spike in COVID-19 infections, with hundreds detected daily. Japan’s outbreak remains less severe than in hard-hit European countries, but its caseload is one of Asia’s highest after China and India, and is roughly on par […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan early Monday, according to the US Geological Survey, but no tsunami warning was issued. The epicenter of the earthquake was 41.7 kilometers (26 miles) beneath the Pacific seabed, less than 50 kilometers off the coast of Miyagi prefecture, the USGS said on its website, rating the risk of casualties and damage as low. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) put the […]
The Japanese comedian who stormed the world with his nonsense ‘Pineapple-pen’ hit and even entertained President Donald Trump is back with a new message: wash your hands! The entertainer known as Pikotaro grabbed a Guinness World Record in 2016 for his 45-second “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” or “PPAP” hit, which became the shortest song to break into the Billboard Hot 100. And now he has repurposed the catchy if bizarre hit to promote proper handwashing as the […]
by Sara HUSSEIN Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — It is approved for use in flu outbreaks and has been deployed to treat Ebola, but now Avigan is being trialled as a potential coronavirus treatment. Here are some questions and answers about the anti-viral medication: What is Avigan? Avigan is the brand name of the drug favipiravir. It was developed by what is now known as Fujifilm Toyama Chemical and approved for use […]
by Shingo ITO Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday expanded a state of emergency due to the coronavirus to cover the whole country to stem the growing spread of the disease. The declaration allows regional governors to urge people to stay indoors, but with no punitive measures or legal force, the measure is far weaker than strict lockdowns seen in other parts of the world. Abe had […]
by Natsuko FUKUE Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s prime minister Monday proposed a state of emergency for several major regions seeing a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, as well as a stimulus package worth $1 trillion to cushion the impact on the world’s third-biggest economy. The official declaration of the state of emergency would likely come as soon as Tuesday, Shinzo Abe told reporters, as the country grapples with a recent […]
