Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
A sign asking visitors to wear a face mask is seen outside the Rockefeller Center as New York City moves into Phase 3 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic on July 7, 2020. Phase 3 permits the reopening of nail and tanning salons, tattoo parlors, spas and massages, dog runs and numerous other outdoor activities. Phase 3 is the third of four-phased stages designated by the state. (Getty/Kyodo)
As of 11 p.m., Thursday, July 9 (Japan time)
- About 20 vessels gathered in the Port of Tokyo on Thursday to turn their lights on all at once in a bid to create hope and wish for an end to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- Japan and Australia agreed to step up talks to resume travel between the two nations among business people, after restrictions were imposed due to the global coronavirus pandemic, a senior Japanese government official said Thursday.
- Torrential rain in southwestern Japan has caused devastating damage to inns at a popular hot-spring resort, just as customers had started returning from their coronavirus-induced exile.
- The number of daily new coronavirus infections in Tokyo reached a single-day record of more than 220 on Thursday, officials said.
- Brooks Brothers, the 200-year-old American menswear retailer, filed Wednesday for bankruptcy protection after the novel coronavirus pandemic further hit waning demand for business attire.
As of 11 p.m., Wednesday, July 8 (Japan time)
- Nippon Professional Baseball released updated guidelines on Wednesday outlining measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when its two leagues begin admitting fans to games this Friday.
- The World Health Organization said Tuesday it has been looking into the possibility that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted by air, after international scientists urged the WHO to revise its guidelines for the virus.
- The Tokyo metropolitan government on Wednesday reported 75 new coronavirus infections in the capital, dropping to a double-digit level for the first time in seven days.
- Professional baseball may have returned to Japan, but with new rules in place due to the coronavirus pandemic every aspect of the game has been affected, including player-media relations.
- Japan will consider easing travel restrictions for athletes from abroad for next year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in a bid to hold the Summer Games even if the global coronavirus pandemic is not completely under control by then, several sources close to the matter said Tuesday.
- The United States has formally notified the U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres of its intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization, effective July 6, 2021, a senior administration official said Tuesday.
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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
North Korean citizens offer flowers on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on July 8, 2020, wearing face masks amid concerns over the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo)
