Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
(A man rides a bike in Brussels on March 27, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.)
As of 11 p.m., Sunday, May 17 (Japan time)
- The Japanese government has decided to ban reselling of disinfectant ahead of reopening the economy across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, sources close to the matter said Sunday.
- The daily number of new coronavirus cases reported in Tokyo on Sunday dropped to five, the lowest since the capital was placed under a state of emergency on April 7, and the sources of infection could be traced in all these cases, the metropolitan government said.
- Families gather at a community hall where volunteers serve meals for the disadvantaged. Here and there laughter can be heard, the smiles of diners proving contagious -- a scene typical at Japan's many children's cafeterias.
- Undaunted by cancellations of parties and dating opportunities due to the new coronavirus pandemic, many singles in Japan looking for a marriage partner have found a silver lining in virtual gatherings.
- While China's tensions with the United States and Australia have been sharply intensifying over its handling of the new coronavirus outbreak, the Asian power has been apparently aiming to bolster ties with its neighbors -- Japan and South Korea.
- Large Japanese companies are cautious about hiring new graduates in the 2021 business year, as the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy remains unclear, a Kyodo News survey showed Saturday.
As of 11 p.m., Saturday, May 16 (Japan time)
- Eight novel coronavirus vaccine candidates are in clinical trial with another 110 in various stages of development, as governments around the world scramble to contain the virus, according to World Health Organization data.
- One of the high-fliers in the airline industry, Singapore Airlines Ltd., is now struggling to stay airborne due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this spells trouble for Singapore's air hub status, which is closely tied to the destiny of its national carrier.
- The Indian government announced Saturday that the total number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the country stands at 85,940, overtaking China for the first time.
- A Japanese design office has produced a series of humorous infographics to promote social distancing, including one referencing the iconic cover of The Beatles' "Abbey Road" album, with the slogan, "Let's stay one Beatles apart."
- Sumitomo Chemical Co. is providing some 100 million yen ($934,000) to an Israeli startup working to develop a sensor that can detect novel coronavirus infections by scent recognition.
- With the coronavirus pandemic restricting social interaction and global travel, many Japanese-language schools are facing financial difficulties as new students have not been able to enter Japan.
- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday pitched a national project to accelerate the development of a coronavirus vaccine, saying he hopes for results by the "end of the year" or "maybe before."
Useful resources for foreign residents and visitors in Japan
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Tokyo Coronavirus Support Center for Foreign Residents (TOCOS)" multilingual hotline
- Available in Simple Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Khmer, and Burmese, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays except national holidays.
0120-296-004 (toll free) - AMDA Medical Information Center's "Multilingual Consultation Service Regarding COVID-19"
(April 10~May 20, 2020)
- Available in English, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. Also available in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Spanish, Vietnamese and Portuguese on designated weekdays. Check schedule here.
03-6233-9266
- Available in English and Chinese on weekdays only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
090-3359-8324 - Tokyo Metropolitan Government's COVID-19 info
https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/flow/ - Tokyo Metropolitan Government 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
(A post office worker prepares to deliver cloth masks in Kanazawa, central Japan, on May 16, 2020, amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus.)
