A platform for shinkansen bullet trains is nearly empty at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Jan. 3, 2021, amid the coronavirus pandemic. In ordinary years, train stations are crowded on Jan. 3 as many people return from holidays. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

 

As of 10:20 p.m., Monday, Jan. 4

• Japan plans to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures this week and lasting for about one month to curb its largest-yet surge of coronavirus cases, government officials said Monday.
  
  
• Reactions were mixed following Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's suggestion Monday that the government may soon declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures, following an unabated rise in infections over the New Year holidays.
  
  
• Japan's central and local governments as well as many businesses began the year's first day of work Monday facing the challenge of dealing with the continued spread of the novel coronavirus.
  
  
• The number of coronavirus patients with serious symptoms in Tokyo hit a record 108 on Monday, exceeding the previous high of 105 logged in April last year during the state of emergency amid concerns over hospital capacity.
  
  
• Japan's economy is expected to make its sharpest rebound in decades this year, with consumption set to pick up toward the end of 2021 as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the broader economy eases.

As of 11 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 3

• India's drug regulator said Sunday it has approved its first emergency-use coronavirus vaccines, including an indigenously developed one, paving the way for mass vaccination against the new virus in the second most populous country.
  
  
• Men's world No. 1 badminton player Kento Momota has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Nippon Badminton Association announced Sunday.
  
  
• The government will hear opinions from health experts soon on whether to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures hit by surging coronavirus cases, taking heed of a request by their governors, officials said Sunday.
  
  
• This year will be critical for Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's hopes of remaining in power as he mulls the timing of a general election while steering Japan's response to the coronavirus and pushing ahead with plans to hold the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the summer.