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

JR Kyushu Jet Ferry Inc.'s new Queen Beetle high-speed passenger ship arrives at the Port of Hakata in Fukuoka on Oct. 15, 2020. It is planned that the ship will sail between the southwestern Japan city and Busan in South Korea, with the date for the start of services yet to be determined due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) 

As of 11 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21 (Japan time)

As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20 (Japan time)


Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - October 10~16


Made with Flourish

Made with Flourish

Made with Flourish


Photo taken Oct. 19, 2020, shows "hanko" seals no longer in use by companies collected at a Tokyo temple for a "memorial service." Hanko seals -- traditionally used on administrative documents in Japan -- are being discarded due to growing digitalization among companies amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. (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