Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
People walk in Nagoya's Sakae area, lined with restaurants and bars in central Japan on Aug. 4, 2020. Nagoya has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. (Kyodo)
As of 11 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 5 (Japan time)
- Singapore is grappling with a record number of dengue cases this year, and workers being encouraged to work from home to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the main factors, the National Environment Agency said Wednesday.
- ]Japan's daily number of confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday topped 1,300, remaining at high levels ahead of next week's summer holiday peak, with health authorities calling on people to be cautious when they travel to their hometowns and elsewhere.
- The Tokyo metropolitan government on Wednesday reported 263 new cases of the novel coronavirus, amid the continued resurgence of infections in August.
- Former komusubi Abi has handed in a letter of retirement to the Japan Sumo Association, a source at his stable said Wednesday, after violating guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus during the July Grand Sumo Tournament.
- Built on a strong foundation, Taiwan's health care system has managed to keep a lid on the spread of the coronavirus, even without the help of the World Health Organization
As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4 (Japan time)
- Coronavirus infections showed no signs of slowing in Japan as the Tokyo metropolitan government on Tuesday reported 309 new cases and the nationwide tally exceeded 1,000 again.
- The Japanese government said Tuesday it has been allowing the entry of foreign nationals teaching at international schools and their families as exceptions to the travel ban imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
- About 60 percent of people in Japan who developed cold-like symptoms during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic between February and May went to work, despite the government's request not to do so, a recent survey found.
- The government said Tuesday it will, for the first time, livestream Japan's annual memorial service that remembers the victims of World War II, on Aug. 15, as the coronavirus pandemic has forced it to hold the event on a smaller scale.
- The Finance Ministry on Tuesday upgraded its overall assessment of Japan's regional economies for the first time in nearly three years, saying they are showing signs of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic including a pickup in consumption.
- The figure skating Grand Prix series held by the International Skating Union will go ahead this fall as scheduled, Kyodo News learned on Tuesday.
- Republican President Donald Trump is in deep trouble just three months before the election, as the coronavirus pandemic has shown a resurgence in the United States in what could be the clearest sign yet of his failure in handling the public health crisis.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 25-31
Passengers on public transportation keep their masks on in Pyongyang on Aug. 4, 2020, amid concerns over the novel coronavirus in North Korea. (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 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
