Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from Japan and beyond:
As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16
- A Japanese government panel on the novel coronavirus response gave the green light Tuesday for the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, including scrapping the cap on spectators at events under certain conditions.
- The cruise business in Japan is getting back on track as vessels gradually resume sailing with COVID-19 safety measures in place after numerous canceled trips due to the pandemic.
As of 11 p.m., Monday, Nov. 15
- Tokyo confirmed seven COVID-19 cases Monday, the lowest number this year, the metropolitan government said.
- The Japanese government plans to allow booster shots of COVID-19 vaccine to be administered as soon as six months after an individual has received a second dose, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
- Japan's economy in the July-September period shrank a real 0.8 percent from the previous quarter, or an annualized 3.0 percent, amid a COVID-19 state of emergency as well as slow car sales and exports due to global chip and parts shortages, government data showed Monday.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Nov. 6 ~ 12
Useful resources for foreign residents and visitors in Japan
- Health ministry call center
COVID-19: 0120-565-653 (toll free)
COVID-19 Vaccines: 0120-761-770 (toll free)
-Interpreters available for English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; for Thai 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; for Vietnamese 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Health ministry's COVID-19 Vaccine Navigation website
https://v-sys.mhlw.go.jp/en/ - 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)