Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from Japan and beyond:
Photo taken on July 17, 2021, in the Iwate Prefecture city of Rikuzentakata, northeastern Japan, shows a beach located near the "miracle" pine tree that survived the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The beach reopened to bathers the same day for the first time since the disaster. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
As of 11 p.m., Monday, July 19
- A Japanese health ministry panel on Monday approved Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 to 17, clearing the way for it to become the second shot available to adolescents in the country after the one developed by Pfizer Inc.
- The head of the World Health Organization is planning to visit Japan during the Tokyo Olympics, Japanese government officials said Monday.
- A female gymnast from the United States has tested positive for the coronavirus at her pre-Tokyo Olympic training camp, the city hosting the athlete said Monday.
- The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 727 new coronavirus cases Monday, dropping below the 1,000 mark for the first time in six days amid lingering concerns of a fifth wave of the virus ahead of the Olympics.
- The Tokyo Olympic Games organizing committee said Monday it has identified 21 people as close contacts of the three South African men's soccer team members who tested positive for the coronavirus at the athletes' village.
- Taiwan has canceled the dispatch of Digital Minister Audrey Tang to Japan to attend the Tokyo Olympics after organizers restricted the number of participants to prevent coronavirus infections, a Cabinet spokesperson said.
As of 10 p.m., Sunday, July 18
- The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 1,008 daily coronavirus cases Sunday, topping the 1,000 mark for the fifth straight day and adding to signs that the capital is seeing a fifth wave of the virus before the Olympics start in the city in less than a week.
- A Tokyo-based medical venture has introduced a smartphone app feature enabling users to keep records of their COVID-19 vaccinations as many companies and universities have started administering doses to curb infections.
- The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee said Sunday it has confirmed coronavirus infections among athletes staying at the Tokyo athletes' village for the first time, a day after saying a nonathlete staying at the facility had tested positive.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 10~16
Staff members at the athletes' village for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics work in the Japanese capital's Harumi area on July 18, 2021, under a parasol amid scorching summer heat. (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)
https://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/chiiki_tabunka/tabunka/tabunkasuishin/0000001452.html - 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/ - Tokyo Metropolitan Government hotline
https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/contacts
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (including weekends and holidays)
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"
https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/hotline/
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese 24 hours a day
050-3816-2787
+81-50-3816-2787 (from overseas) - 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
