Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
People wearing face masks walk in Osaka on Dec. 4, 2020, amid the continued spread of the novel coronavirus in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
As of 11 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
- The Tokyo metropolitan government reported a record 584 daily coronavirus infections on Saturday, exceeding the previous high of the 570 logged on Nov. 27.
- Workers at tourist spots in Tokyo voiced concern Saturday about the negative impact on their businesses of the government's request for elderly people and those with health issues not to use Japan's domestic travel subsidy campaign amid an uptick of coronavirus cases.
- A quarter of Japanese university students supported by a charity said they have thought of quitting school amid the coronavirus pandemic, mainly citing financial hardship and a decline in motivation, a survey by the group showed.
As of 11 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
- Japanese tourism minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said Friday the government is planning to extend its domestic travel subsidy program by five months through the end of June to support the economy hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, a move that comes despite the record number of severe cases and deaths currently being reported across the country.
- The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics reached an agreement Friday with the Tokyo metropolitan and central governments on splitting an extra 294 billion yen ($2.83 billion) in costs arising from the one-year postponement of the games, along with countermeasures for the novel coronavirus.
- The Japanese government is tackling the latest surge in coronavirus infections with a "strong sense of crisis," Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Friday, adding that a rise in the number of severely ill patients has started to put a strain on hospitals.
- Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday reiterated his commitment to hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next summer, promising that the games, which were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be "safe and secure" even as Japan grapples with its worst wave yet of infections.
- The U.N. General Assembly held a special session Thursday, with Secretary General Antonio Guterres calling for international cooperation to fight the coronavirus pandemic and help poor countries financially and through other means.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - November 28 ~ December 4
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike speaks at a regular press conference at the metropolitan government headquarters on Dec. 4, 2020, about measures against the novel coronavirus. (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
