Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from Japan and beyond:

People form a long line at a pharmacy in Beijing on Dec. 8, 2022, bracing for a possible surge in COVID-19 infections following the central government's recent easing of restrictions. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

<Dec. 9, 2022>

<Dec. 8, 2022>

  • A significant easing of China's stringent "zero-COVID" policy announced Wednesday amid the continued spread of the coronavirus has triggered confusion and anxiety among the public, with cold medicines flying off the shelves and health authorities no longer tracing positive cases.

  • Japan's economy shrank an annualized real 0.8 percent in July-September, compared with the 1.2 percent previously reported, as domestic demand was slightly stronger, although its recovery from the COVID-19 fallout lacked vigor, government data showed Thursday.

<Dec. 7, 2022>

<Dec. 6, 2022>

<Dec. 5, 2022>

<Dec. 3, 2022>

<Dec. 2, 2022>

<Nov. 29, 2022>

<Nov. 28, 2022>

<Nov. 27, 2022>


Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Nov. 26~Dec. 2


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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)