Last week, the government agreed to extend the state of emergency to March 7 for the 10 prefectures. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said that if conditions changed, he was prepared to end it sooner.

On Thursday last week, the health ministry’s panel of coronavirus experts looked into the situations in the 10 prefectures. Okabe Nobuhiko, a panel member, then briefed Prime Minister Suga.

Source: NHK Japan

Tokyo Olympics Head Mori to Announce Resignation Over Sexist Remarks

Tokyo Olympics leader Yoshiro Mori is expected to announce his resignation Friday after making derogatory remarks about women more than a week ago, in the latest setback for Olympic games already endangered by the coronavirus pandemic.

With less than six months before the Olympics begin in the Japanese capital, the organizing committee’s leadership change will take place amid continuing doubt over whether the postponed games will go ahead at all.

Mori, 83, the committee chairman since 2014, is set to reveal to his executives at a special meeting in the afternoon that he will step down from the top post.

On last week Thursday, Saburo Kawabuchi, the 84-year-old former president of the Japan Football Association, told reporters that he was prepared to accept a committee offer to take over from Mori, a former prime minister notorious for making ill-advised remarks, but credited with bringing to Japan major sporting events.

“It is my biggest mission to make it possible to stage (the Olympics and Paralympics) by any means,” Kawabuchi share his thoughts with Kyodo News. “It is an honour. I want to accept and offer my assistance so that Mr Mori’s efforts will not go to waste.”

Source: Kyodo News

No Changes to Tokyo Games after Mori Resignation

Despite the upcoming resignation of the organising committee president, the Japanese government is trying to hold the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as scheduled.

Kawabuchi Saburo, the former chairman of Japan’s professional soccer league, is set to succeed Mori Yoshiro, who chose to step down following widespread criticism of his remarks on women.

Some ruling party members have expressed regret over Mori’s resignation, citing his extensive international links. Others emphasize the need for united efforts to ensure the harmony of the Olympic Games.

Source: NHK

1st COVID Vaccine Doses Arrive in Japan, Approval Eyed for Sunday

Japan received the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine produced on Friday by the U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. It intended to make the vaccine the first approved on Sunday for domestic use against COVID-19, familiar with the matter.

The government is considering beginning vaccinations on Wednesday with an acceleration of administrative procedures for about 20,000 doctors and nurses who have consented to receive the vaccines, the sources said. The first shipment contained around 400,000 doses in total.

It had been widely announced that the first doses would arrive on Sunday from Belgium, where they were produced. However, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare initially intended to move forward on Monday with formal approval.

Source: Kyodo News

Myanmar Protesters Gather in Tokyo Against Coup at Home

As they gathered in Japan’s capital on Thursday to protest the military coup in their home country, thousands of people from Myanmar sang songs and waved glow sticks.

Many of those in front of the University of the United Nations in downtown Tokyo were wearing red in favour of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose elected government was deposed on Feb 1. Some clutched pictures of Suu Kyi, while others held up cell phones where messages like “Justice” and “Save Myanmar” ran through the displays.

Photo: Getty Image

According to Japanese government statistics, some 33,000 people from Myanmar reside in Japan, many workers. According to JETRO, a government-run agency promoting trade and investment, there are also economic links, with 436 Japanese companies doing business in Myanmar, mainly in construction and distribution services, which are members of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Myanmar.

Source: Japan Today

Follow our page to get the hottest daily news in Japan!