Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:

Squashes raised on a trellis in a greenhouse are ripe on Aug. 28, 2020, at a farm in Naganuma in Hokkaido, northern Japan. (Kyodo) 

As of 11:00 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2 (Japan time)

• Japan reported on Wednesday 594 new coronavirus cases, the third-lowest daily tally in a month following the recent moderate infection increase.
  
  
• The Japanese government is considering offering COVID-19 vaccinations for free to all residents to limit the number of deaths and people developing severe symptoms in the country, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.
  
  
• Nearly half of people in Japan feel they are healthier now than before the spread of the novel coronavirus due to adopting improved lifestyles after the virus-induced curbs on going out, according to a private survey released Wednesday.
  
  
• Diners can now enjoy eating while talking without fear of potentially spreading the novel coronavirus thanks to a handheld mask developed by the head of an arts university in western Japan.
  
  
• A government panel tasked with taking measures against the coronavirus for the Tokyo Games will discuss border controls, anti-virus steps at venues and dealing with infected people at its first meeting this week, sources close to the matter said Tuesday.

As of 9:45 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1 (Japan time)

• Tokyo on Tuesday confirmed 170 additional coronavirus infections, bringing the cumulative total in the capital to 20,987, the highest of Japan's 47 prefectures.
  
  
• Japan will join an international framework that aims to guarantee equitable global access to potential vaccines for the novel coronavirus, the health minister said Tuesday.
  
  
• The famed golden pavilion at the Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto began Tuesday a three-month renovation of its shingled roof amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has drastically reduced the number of visitors.
  
  
• Japan's job availability fell to a six-year low and employment conditions worsened in July, government data showed Tuesday, highlighting the severe blow dealt to workers by the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• Japan and Taiwan have agreed to reopen their borders for newly arriving expatriates and other long-term residents from Sept. 8, easing restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Japanese government said Tuesday.
  
  
• Capital spending by Japanese companies fell 11.3 percent in the April-June quarter from a year earlier, the largest drop in a decade, as the coronavirus pandemic clouded the business outlook, government data showed Tuesday.
  
  
• Tokyo Marathon organizers are weighing the possibility of rescheduling next year's race to the fall, should the coronavirus appear likely to remain an obstacle by the usual date in March, sources close to the matter said Monday.

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - August 22~28

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People look at the final operation of the carousel during the closing ceremony of the 94-year-old Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2020. A new theme park based on the Harry Potter films is scheduled to open at the site in 2023. (Kyodo) 

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