State of emergency lifted, but outings limited
Mobile phone data shows there was only a slight increase in the number of people around train stations and business streets in Tokyo and four other prefectures the day after the state of emergency was lifted.
The Japanese government on Monday lifted the restriction, which was imposed to curb the spread of infections, from the last five prefectures.
Mobile carrier NTT Docomo is collecting information on people's locations across Japan using base station data, which it says protects privacy.
The survey shows the number of people on Tuesday increased 6 percent around Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and 3.6 percent near Shibuya Station.
There was also a 3.6 percent rise in and around the Marunouchi business district, 2.3 percent in and around the Otemachi business district, and 1.2 percent in and around Ginza.
In areas outside of Tokyo, the figure was up 5 percent around Yokohama Station in Kanagawa Prefecture, and 3 percent around Chiba Station.
The number of people located around Omiya Station in Saitama Prefecture was down by 0.5 percent. In the northern prefecture of Hokkaido, the number increased by 0.2 percent around Sapporo Station.
Compared with the average from mid-January to mid-February this year, before the spread of the coronavirus, the figure was down 56.3 percent around Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.
It was also 52.3 percent lower around Sapporo Station, 48.5 percent lower around Omiya Station, 46.3 percent lower around Yokohama Station, and 27.1 percent lower around Chiba Station.
NHK - Nov 26
China will soon allow visa-free entry for citizens of six countries, in a move widely seen as an attempt to spur the faltering domestic economy.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Inui Street, the famed autumn walk within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, opened to the public from Saturday.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Tofukuji Temple, home to 2,000 maple trees and renowned as one of Kyoto's premier autumn hotspots, features the Tsutenkyo Bridge, and the breathtaking 'sea of autumn leaves'.
News On Japan - Nov 25
The strongest cold snap of the season has brought a dramatic drop in temperatures to northern Japan, where snow began falling Friday morning, with up to 50 cm expected in Hokkaido and Tohoku by Saturday evening, and a chance of blizzards.
News On Japan - Nov 23
As Kyoto's autumn foliage reaches its peak, swarms of tourists have converged on the ancient capital, captivated by stunning displays like Wednesday evening's illumination at Kiyomizu Temple.
News On Japan - Nov 22
In the crowded halls of the Nishi-Achiyama Kannon-in Temple in Okayama City, men, completely devoid of clothing, press tightly against each other. This is the famous "Naked Festival."
visaguide.world - Nov 22
In 2024, the Japanese government aims to mandate tuberculosis tests for individuals from six countries seeking to enter Japan for over three months.
NHK - Nov 22
Japan's weather officials predict warmer-than-normal temperatures and less snow across the country in its three-month-period forecast of December through February.
VIRTUAL JAPAN - Nov 20
Checking out the first weekend of the Christmas lights in both Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills.
News On Japan - Nov 20
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News On Japan - Nov 19
Japan's largest projection mapping event was launched Saturday night on the sandy beaches of Odaiba Seaside Park, Tokyo.
News On Japan - Nov 19
The introduction of platform doors at Nishimagome Station on the Toei Asakusa Line marks the completion of platform door installation across all Tokyo Metropolitan Government-managed subway stations.
taipeitimes.com - Nov 19
Japan has long managed to keep its streets spotless despite having no trash cans in sight, but cities are now turning to “smart” bins as tourist numbers — and the amount of garbage — surges.
News On Japan - Nov 18
Fukuoka City, on the northern shore of Japan's Kyushu Island, observed its first snowfall of the season on Saturday, 30 days ahead of average.
ONLY in JAPAN - Nov 18
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that travelers to Japan passed the record for October set in 2019! That’s a huge accomplishment for several reasons which we will discuss today - in Tokyo’s November rain.
Ordinary Adventures - Nov 18
We are exploring the Harajuku, this is one of the most kawaii areas of Tokyo Japan. But before we get to the cute stuff we’ll explore the beautiful and historic Meiji shrine.