Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from Japan and beyond:
As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, July 20
- Japanese Emperor Naruhito may avoid using the word "celebrate" or similar term when he is expected to declare the opening of the Tokyo Olympics this week, a government official said Tuesday.
- Japan has begun surveying overseas arrivals about their COVID-19 vaccination status as it explores the feasibility of exempting those vaccinated abroad from the country's strict entry restrictions, government sources said Tuesday.
- Nyan Win, a prominent member of Myanmar's formerly ruling National League for Democracy party and a close aide of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, died of COVID-19 on Tuesday while under detention in the wake of the Feb. 1 military coup, the NLD said.
- The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 1,387 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, topping the 1,000 mark for the first time in two days, as the upward trend in infections continues to stir concerns ahead of the start of the Olympics later this week.
- Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics said Tuesday that a foreign athlete at the athletes' village and eight other people related to the games have newly tested positive for the coronavirus.
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.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 10~16