Some businesses, schools reopen in Japan
More than half the country's prefectures are likely to ease restrictions put in place last month.
Department stores are getting back to business, but not back to normal. Some areas remain closed and customers are asked to maintain physical distance from one another.
Some schools are also reopening. An elementary school in Niigata Prefecture has shortened its schooldays, and students must wear face masks.
Other parts of the country are unlikely to see measures lifted this week. That includes Tokyo.
But that hasn't stopped commuters from heading back to work, following the end of spring holidays.
Shinjuku Station, one of the world's busiest commuter hubs, had been quiet in recent days, but saw a bump in activity Monday even as shops and restaurants remained closed.
The government is still deciding when and how to lift its state of emergency. Officials are set to discuss plans on Thursday with a panel of experts. Prefectures will likely have to show a sustained decline in the number of new cases before they can ease restrictions.
Japan now has over 15,000 confirmed cases. The death toll stands at more than 640.
- NHK
Man arrested for sexually assaulting, strangling woman he met online
Japan Today - Jun 18
Police in Tokyo have arrested a 49-year-old man for sexually assaulting and strangling a woman he met on a social networking site. The suspect also possessed a knife at the time and used it to threaten his victim.
Japan companies lag far behind women empowerment in management roles
channelnewsasia.com - Jun 18
Women make up less than 10 per cent of the management in most Japanese companies, as the country's corporate sector finds it difficult to meet the business lobby's aim of boosting the number of female executives in an ageing society, a Reuters poll showed.
Japan study reveals long-term effects of COVID-19
NHK - Jun 18
The interim results of Japanese research on long-term effects of the coronavirus show that some people experienced fatigue, hair loss or other symptoms six months after they had been diagnosed with infection.
Man threatened to kill medical association chief for ‘inciting fear over the coronavirus’
tokyoreporter.com - Jun 18
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Thursday arrested a 45-year-old man for allegedly threatening to kill the Japan Medical Association chief, reports TBS News
Japan condom-makers fear anticlimax at Olympics
Japan Times - Jun 18
For Japanese condom makers, the Olympics were supposed to be a golden opportunity, with hordes of eager tourists and tens of thousands of their innovative, ultra-thin prophylactics given to athletes.
Japan to ease state of emergency, focus on Games spectators
kitco.com - Jun 18
Japan said on Thursday it would ease emergency coronavirus curbs in nine prefectures including Tokyo while keeping some measures, including limiting spectator numbers at big events, amid fears that next month's Olympics could trigger a surge in infections.
Ryugu asteroid samples show presence of water
NHK - Jun 18
A Japanese researcher says an initial analysis of samples from the Ryugu asteroid has yielded data that shows the presence of plenty of water and organic matter on the asteroid.
Aging reactor to be restarted next Wednesday
NHK - Jun 18
The operator of the Mihama nuclear power plant on the Sea of Japan coast says it will restart an aging reactor next Wednesday after a 10-year suspension.
Japan starts vaccinating people age 18 or older at state-run centers
Japan Times - Jun 17
Japan’s state-run mass COVID-19 inoculation centers started administering vaccine to people age 18 or older Thursday, extending vaccinations beyond those aged 65 or over as many slots at the centers remain vacant.
Fate of Japan wartime leader Hideki Tojo revealed in declassified documents
South China Morning Post - Jun 17
A university professor in Japan may have helped shed light on the final fate of Japan’s infamous wartime prime minister Hideki Tojo.
Japan to issue 'vaccine passports' from July
NHK - Jun 17
The Japanese government plans to allow municipalities to issue "vaccine passports" -- documents certifying coronavirus vaccinations -- starting next month.
High court judge faces impeachment for inappropriate tweets
Japan Today - Jun 17
A parliamentary committee decided Wednesday to refer a high court judge to an impeachment court for posting inappropriate messages on social media that were offensive to parties in two separate trials in 2017 and 2018.
Japan to lift state of emergency except Okinawa
NHK - Jun 17
Japan's government is considering lifting the coronavirus state of emergency currently issued for 10 prefectures except Okinawa.
Japan mulls transition from state of emergency
- Jun 17
The Japanese government is expected to decide on Thursday to lift the coronavirus state of emergency currently issued for 10 prefectures except Okinawa.
Problems Single Dads in Japan Face
Nobita from Japan - Jun 17
Such a wonderful time to talk with those great single dads and learn about the problems.
Japan's bank lobby urges BOJ caution on deepening negative rates
Reuters - Jun 17
Japan's central bank should be cautious about deepening negative interest rates as such a move could have a "very big" impact on lenders' earnings, the head of a lobby of regional banks said.
