As of 10 p.m., Sunday, April 25
- Japan is considering operating large-scale COVID-19 vaccination centers capable of administering shots to 10,000 people per day, as part of efforts to speed up a vaccine rollout that is trailing behind other countries, government sources said Sunday.
- Japan's government will ask Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics athletes and staff from overseas to be tested for the novel coronavirus twice within 96 hours of departure from their respective countries, multiple games sources said Sunday.
- Pakistan late Saturday night offered medical assistance to neighboring India, which is battling with one of the worst coronavirus crises in the world.
- The rollout of coronavirus vaccines in Japan for people under 65 may begin in July depending on the availability of supplies, the health minister said Sunday.
- The J-League said Sunday spectators will not be allowed at four upcoming matches in Tokyo, bringing to 11 the number of games to be played behind closed doors during the coronavirus state of emergency through May 11.
- Tougher measures against the novel coronavirus were introduced in Tokyo and the western Japan prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo on Sunday under a third state of emergency amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.
As of 11 p.m., Saturday, April 24
- Japan reported on Saturday more than 5,500 new coronavirus cases, the highest in over three months, as Tokyo and other areas prepare to come under a third state of emergency to curb a rapid surge in infections.
- Six-time Canadian Olympian and International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member Hayley Wickenheiser has called for medical experts to be the sole arbiters of whether the Tokyo Games go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported Friday.
- Nippon Professional Baseball decided Saturday to hold games behind closed doors at stadiums affected by the new coronavirus state of emergency through May 11.
- Japan's prefectural governors on Saturday asked the central government to provide financial support for businesses across the country, a day after a fresh state of emergency was declared in Tokyo and other areas as coronavirus case numbers surge.
- Changes in people's lifestyle habits during the coronavirus pandemic have been reflected in their pets, a Japanese survey has shown, with many participants saying their dogs seek extra attention with more people regularly at home.
- U.S. health authorities said Friday that the use of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine can be resumed immediately, emphasizing its safety after a few blood clot cases led them to recommend a pause on April 13.
- Japan's Tokyo Olympic torch relay suffered its first total cancellation on Friday when Okinawa Prefecture organizers announced the May 2 leg in Miyakojima will not be run at all, and no events will be held.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - April 17~23