As of 11 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17
- Participants at a three-day COVID-19 working meeting on Wednesday called criticism of the currently published Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic coronavirus countermeasures welcome but also premature.
- The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan plunged 98.3 percent in January from a year earlier to 46,500, down for the 16th straight month, after the country suspended the entry of all nonresident foreign nationals due to a surge in coronavirus cases, government data showed Wednesday.
- Another ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker quit the party Wednesday following a report that he visited a luxurious Tokyo nightlife venue despite government calls to avoid unnecessary outings under a state of emergency to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
- Questions and answers regarding COVID-19 vaccines and how to get vaccinated in Japan.
- Japan begins administering a COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday to an initial group of 40,000 health workers, before expanding to cover the elderly and people with preexisting conditions.
As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16
- Japan will begin administering COVID-19 vaccine to an initial group of 40,000 health workers on Wednesday, double the number previously planned, the minister in charge of vaccination efforts said Tuesday.
- Hay fever season has arrived in Japan, presenting sufferers with an added challenge amid the coronavirus pandemic as rubbing itchy eyes and wiping runny noses may increase the risk of viral infection, while opening doors and windows to improve ventilation could add to the amount of pollen coming indoors.
- The final boxing world qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled for June, is set to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, several sources close to the matter said Monday.
- Local authorities and hospitals in Japan have been using a range of remote monitoring devices to keep tabs on coronavirus patients recovering at home or in designated hotels during the pandemic.