Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
As of 11 p.m., Monday, March 16 (Japan time)
- The organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics decided to request that people refrain from watching the torch relay from the roadside for some time in response to the outbreak of the new coronavirus, an official said Monday.
- Grand champion Hakuho remains the only undefeated wrestler after capturing his ninth straight win at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, though the meet's continuation was called into question after a fever-stricken wrestler was compelled to undergo a test for the new coronavirus.
- The Japanese government is considering postponing Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's planned state visit to Britain this spring due to the spread of the new coronavirus, a source familiar with the matter said Monday
- A total of 69.9 percent of people do not expect the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer to be held as scheduled, a Kyodo News survey showed Monday.
- The Bank of Japan decided Monday to expand its asset purchase program in a bid to stabilize financial markets thorough increased accumulation of exchange-traded fund securities and corporate bonds.
- Some elementary and junior high schools in Japan resumed classes on Monday, about two weeks after shutting to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
- Japan has found 15 clusters of people infected with the pneumonia-causing novel coronavirus, according to the health ministry, which released an online map showing where they are located in the country as of noon Sunday.
- The U.S. Federal Reserve said it will slash its key interest rate to zero, in a surprise move to deal with the economic fallout from the new coronavirus.
As of 11 p.m., Sunday, March 15 (Japan time)
- The number of new coronavirus infections reported in Japan topped 1,500 on Sunday, as the government strives to curb the spread of the virus through various steps, including asking people to avoid mass gatherings and implementing travel restrictions.
- Singapore on Sunday said that anyone arriving in the city-state from 12 countries including Japan will be required to isolate themselves for 14 days as part of stepped-up measures to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed Sunday to work closely amid concerted international efforts to contain the new coronavirus outbreak during their telephone conversation, the Japanese government said.
- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Sunday that all travelers including citizens arriving in the country must self-isolate for 14 days in a bid to further slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
- The outbreak of the new coronavirus is expected to cut spending by foreign travelers to Japan by 981.3 billion yen ($9 billion), a private research firm said in a new report, revising upward from its earlier estimate of a contraction of 624.4 billion yen.
- The administration of President Donald Trump said Saturday that it will expand its travel ban to Britain and Ireland amid the spread of the new coronavirus.
Useful resources for foreign residents and visitors in Japan
- Japan National Tourism Organization's "Guide for when you are feeling ill"
- Multilingual clinic/hospital search available in English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese
https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html - JNTO's "Japan Visitor Hotline"
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese 24 hours a day
050-3816-2787
+81-50-3816-2787 (from overseas)
http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001328767.pdf - Tokyo Metropolitan Government's hotline
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
0570-550571
- Available via fax for those with hearing impairments
03-5388-1396 - Japan's health ministry hotline
- Available in Japanese only, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
0120-565653 - World Health Organization's "Q&A on coronaviruses"
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses