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

The year's first shipment of Beaujolais Nouveau arrives at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Oct. 22, 2020, about two weeks earlier than the average year, as the importer took quicker action in view of substantial flight cuts by coronavirus-hit airlines. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

As of 11 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23 (Japan time)

  • Japan Airlines Co. began offering discounted coronavirus tests to travelers Friday after teaming up with a medical institution in Tokyo, in a bid to ease concerns about infections and encourage customers to travel amid the pandemic.

  • The Japanese government will ask companies to extend the upcoming New Year holiday by about one week in a bid to mitigate crowding by people visiting relatives or going on vacation and lower the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, a Cabinet member said Friday.

  • India on Thursday relaxed visa restrictions to allow foreign nationals to enter India by air or sea for any purpose except tourism.

As of 11 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22 (Japan time)


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


Made with Flourish

Made with Flourish

Made with Flourish


A shopkeeper sings karaoke during work hours at a shop in Manila on Oct. 16, 2020. The city has banned the use of karaoke machines from 7 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, in order not to disturb students taking online classes at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==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