Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
(Tokyo)
As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, April 7 (Japan time)
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus after an alarming growth in cases in urban areas.
- Trains will run as usual and daily necessities such as toilet paper will continue to be manufactured for stable supply in Japan, business operators said Tuesday, after the government declared a state of emergency to step up efforts to prevent a further escalation in the coronavirus outbreak.
- Nippon Professional Baseball is unlikely to alter its plans for a new schedule in response to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's declaration Tuesday of a state of emergency to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, NPB secretary general Atsushi Ihara said.
- Nissan Motor Co. is looking to cut over 10,000 jobs temporarily in the United States and Europe, as local production remains suspended amid the coronavirus outbreak, sources close to the matter said Tuesday.
- Now that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a state of emergency to prevent the collapse of Japan's health care systems over the coronavirus outbreak, attention will shift to whether the first-ever such measure in Japan will prove effective.
- An online discussion among Japanese twitter users has erupted over urbanites fleeing to rural areas to escape the novel coronavirus, with a local mayor even entering the fray, as large cities have seen sharp spikes in cases of COVID-19 disease in recent days.
- Japan's Cabinet approved a largest-ever 108 trillion yen ($990 billion) stimulus package on Tuesday to help struggling households and businesses survive the impact of the new coronavirus outbreak.
- Some people in Japan expressed their anxiety Tuesday about how their daily lives and businesses will be affected by the state of emergency to be declared by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
- Support groups and individuals in Japan have raised the alarm that measures to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus in Japan may fuel domestic violence, as victims remain stuck at home with no avenues of escape.
- China on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus-related deaths in Wuhan, the epicenter of the country's outbreak, for the first time since the viral epidemic began making headlines in January.
- A majority of university and postgraduate students in Japan are willing to participate in interactive online lectures as many institutions delay the start of classes amid the coronavirus epidemic, a recent survey showed.
- Japan plans to provide for free the anti-flu drug Avigan to 20 countries hoping to use it to treat coronavirus patients, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tuesday.
- A hotel in central Tokyo started accepting novel coronavirus patients with mild or no symptoms Tuesday as the metropolitan government seeks to hospitalize only the seriously ill to ease the strain on the health care system.
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to an intensive care unit Monday as his symptoms of the new coronavirus have worsened, his office said.
- Eighteen trainee doctors at a Tokyo hospital have tested positive for the new coronavirus after dining in a group of some 40 people, ignoring repeated calls not to join such gatherings, the hospital said Monday.
As of 11 p.m., Monday, April 6 (Japan time)
- The Tokyo metropolitan government on Monday reported 83 new coronavirus cases following two days of three-digit increases, as it continues to grapple with a recent spike in the number of infections.
- A state of emergency is set to be declared in parts of Japan most heavily hit by the spread of the coronavirus. So how will life change for residents?
- Comedian Piko Taro, best known for his viral hit song "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen," and Japanese boy band Arashi have both released songs encouraging people to wash their hands amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- Five Japanese chefs came together and put their skills to work to show their appreciation for the staff of a hospital in Dijon, France, who are working to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Schools in many parts of Japan resumed classes Monday after being closed for more than a month due to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak in Japan, a government official said Monday, as a recent surge in infections sweeps Tokyo and other major cities.
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital for tests with continued coronavirus symptoms, his office said Sunday.
List of major facilities, events affected by coronavirus in Japan
Useful resources for foreign residents and visitors in Japan
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government's COVID-19 info
https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/flow/ - 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 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 - 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
(Fukuoka)
