Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from Japan and beyond:
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.
As of 11 p.m., Saturday, July 17
- Nearly 80% of 47 prefectural capitals in Japan said they either have changed or intend to change their plans to vaccinate their local residents against COVID-19 amid a supply shortage of vaccines, a Kyodo News survey showed Saturday.
- International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said Saturday he is confident of winning over a skeptical Japanese public and expects a "safe and successful" Tokyo Olympics, despite concerns about coronavirus infections at the games which get under way next week.
- The Tokyo metropolitan government reported on Saturday 1,410 new COVID-19 cases, its highest single-day spike in nearly six months and topping 1,000 for the fourth straight day, as the capital prepares for the opening of the Tokyo Olympics next week.
- Tokyo Olympic organizing committee said Saturday the first positive case of COVID-19 has been detected in the Tokyo athletes' village with less than a week until the opening ceremony.
- Foreign luxury cars priced at more than 10 million yen ($90,830) in Japan are becoming popular among wealthy people who cannot travel abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic and who are willing to spend money on the back of higher global share prices.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 10~16