Page 11 - Japan

Tokyo reports record coronavirus cases as Japan tightens measures

Tokyo on Tuesday reported a record high of Covid-19 cases, as Japan prepared to implement new anti-virus measures amid surging infections led by Omicron

Japan's Nikkei hits 2-year low as US rate-hike bets, Ukraine tensions weigh

The Nikkei share average fell 2.5% to 26,890.94, its lowest level since Dec. 29, 2020

Japan to widen virus measures and boost testing amid Omicron

Japan has resisted the use of lockdowns to limit the spread of the virus as the government seeks to minimise damage to the economy

Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe honoured with Netaji Award

Consul General of Japan in Kolkata Nakamura Yutaka received the honour on behalf of Abe

6.4-magnitude quake jolts Japan, no tsunami warning issued

The quake logged five upper in some parts of Oita prefecture on the Japanese seismic intensity scale which peaks at seven

Japanese PM hopes to host in-person Quad Summit in first half of 2022

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday expressed his willingness to host an in-person summit of the Quad countries in the first half of the year in Japan

Japan widens Covid-19 restrictions as Omicron cases surge in cities

Restaurants and bars will close early in Tokyo and a dozen other areas across Japan beginning Friday as Japan widens Covid restrictions amid Omicron surge

Japan's inflation hovers around 2-year high, BOJ flags price pressure

Japan's core consumer prices rose 0.5% in December from a year earlier, increasing for a second month in a row at the fastest pace in nearly two years

Japan, France seek to deepen security ties amid China's rise

Japan is particularly concerned about Chinese military activity in waters surrounding the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which Beijing also claims and calls Diaoyu, in the East China Sea

Japan's Dec exports, imports hit record high by value as supply eases

However, a persistent semiconductor shortage remains a headache for Japanese firms such as automaker Toyota

Japan's 10-year bond yields fall as BOJ keeps rate targets unchanged

Japan's benchmark 10-year bond yields fell on Wednesday, after the Bank of Japan kept its interest rate targets unchanged

Japan ready to expand coronavirus restrictions as infections surge

Japan's government is preparing social restrictions in Tokyo and other regions as the omicron variant of the coronavirus infects more people. Japan has never had a lockdown during the pandemic but has focused instead on asking restaurants and bars to close early. Crowds are back in many parts of Japan, with people packing stores and events, while COVID-19 cases jump. The order will be finalised this week and is likely to take effect Friday, the government spokesman said Tuesday. The measures are expected to last for about three weeks in 16 regions, including Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima, which were already placed under some restrictions earlier this month. Other areas seeing surging infections, such as Osaka, may be added later. The infections are rising at an unprecedented speed, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters. Worries are growing about infections spreading so quickly that hospital systems may get stretched thin, he said. He acknowledged additional

Japan ready to expand Covid-19 restrictions as infections surge

Japan's government is preparing social restrictions in Tokyo and other regions as the omicron variant of the coronavirus infects more people. Japan has never had a lockdown during the pandemic but has focused instead on asking restaurants and bars to close early. Crowds are back in many parts of Japan, with people packing stores and events, while COVID-19 cases jump. The order will be finalised this week and is likely to take effect Friday for Tokyo and nine other regions, including Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi and Kumamoto, the government spokesman said Tuesday. An order was issued earlier this month for Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures. Other areas seeing surging infections, such as Osaka, may be added later. The infections are rising at an unprecedented speed, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters. Worries are growing about infections spreading so quickly that hospital systems may get stretched thin, he said. He acknowledged additional action may be nee

Japan's PM Kishida says Covid prevention measures, defense top priorities

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday said fighting the pandemic was a top priority in his speech opening this year's parliamentary session, as the Tokyo region was hit by surging infections. Kishida also named stepping up defense measures against rising regional threats as a priority, hours after North Korea test-fired two possible ballistic missiles its fourth this year. I will devote my body and soul to win this fight against the coronavirus, Kishida said in his speech before the lower house, which marked the start of its new 150-day session. He called on people to help each other to overcome the national crisis" of the pandemic. The Japanese capital reported 4,172 new cases on Sunday, raising the hospital bed occupancy rate to 19.3%. Tokyo authorities have said that when that rate breaches 20%, they will request the government place the area under pre-emergency status and move toward restrictions like working from home and shorter hours for eateries. Kishida reiterate

Joe Biden, Japan PM Kishida to meet virtually on Jan 21, to discuss Quad

Biden will meet Fumio Kishida virtually on Friday (January 21) to discuss issues pertaining to the Quad (an alliance of US, Australia, Japan and India)

Tonga volcano eruption triggers evacuation advisories, waves in Japan

Hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens were advised to evacuate on Sunday as waves of more than a metre hit coastal areas

Tsunami alert for Japan Pacific coast after volcanic eruption in Tonga

Following a massive undersea volcanic eruption in the island country of Tonga, Tsunami was observed in the southern Japanese island of Amami-Oshima

4 Chinese coast guard ships enter Japanese waters in Senkaku Islands

In the first intrusion of 2022, four Chinese coast guard ships sailed in Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea for more than an hour on Saturday.

Jaishankar speaks with counterparts from Japan, Netherlands, Brazil

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke with his counterparts from Japan, the Netherlands, Argentina and Brazil separately and reviewed bilateral ties as well as discussed key issues, including Covid challenges. In a tweet, Jaishankar said he had a good conversation with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra. "Wished him a fast recovery from Covid. And a Happy New Year. Discussed our bilateral cooperation, EU and Indo-Pacific," Jaishankar tweeted. They also exchanged views on celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he said. On his discussion with Jaishankar, Hoekstra said on Twitter, "Good to speak with @DrSJaishankar. This year, we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, a great milestone. We spoke about our strong bilateral agenda, EU cooperation & developments in the region." "I look forward to further strengthening our excellent bilateral relations," the Dutch

Japan PM sees no need to change FY2025 budget balancing target, for now

Kishida, long known as a fiscal hawk, has been prioritising economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis over long-term fiscal reforms since he took office in October