Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
A man wearing a mask walks past a sign that reads, "Thanks to all the helpers" near Times Square as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on August 28, 2020 in New York City.(Getty/Kyodo)
As of 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29 (Japan time)
- Japan confirmed on Saturday 843 additional cases of the novel coronavirus, as urban centers throughout the country continued to see high levels of the infection.
- The Tokyo metropolitan government on Saturday confirmed 247 additional cases of the novel coronavirus as the capital continues to see a high number of infections.
- Online crowdfunding is proving a popular way for people in Japan to support small and mid-size businesses struggling to stay afloat during the novel coronavirus pandemic
- Japan Airlines Co. has recently introduced self service check-in machines equipped with motion sensors, which enable customers to complete procedures without touching the screen, to help prevent coronavirus infection
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - August 22~28
As of 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28 (Japan time)
- Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu will sit out the International Skating Union's upcoming Grand Prix series due to concerns about the novel coronavirus, the Japan Skating Federation said Friday.
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday Japan will aim to secure COVID-19 vaccinations for all citizens by the first half of 2021.
- An increasing number of companies in Tokyo are downsizing their offices as teleworking spreads in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic -- a trend that looks likely to continue even after the outbreak ends.
- The monthly number of people migrating into Tokyo and its vicinity in July was less than the number of those moving out of the area for the first time, as the capital became the center of a coronavirus resurgence in the country, government data showed Thursday.
A man wearing a Corona beer bag and a Querdenker Q flag attends a gathering of coronavirus skeptics on the eve of a planned protest march on August 28, 2020 in Berlin, Germany.(Getty/Kyodo)
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"
- Available in Simple Japanese and English, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Also available in Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese on designated weekdays. Check schedule here.
03-6233-9266 - 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
