The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 388 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Saturday.

The figure is down 79 from a week ago, following three straight days of week-on-week increase.

Several Japanese companies have begun vaccinating their employees ahead of the full-fledged launch of workplace inoculations on Monday.

Major mobile phone carrier KDDI began its vaccination program on Saturday, targeting those who will work at its vaccination site in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, near its head office.

A group of researchers says it expects the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to work against the Gamma variant, first identified in Brazil.

The group led by Kawaoka Yoshihiro, project professor at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Medical Science, published the study in a US science journal.

A survey of school nurses in Japan shows that the coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected the health of students at 40 percent of elementary, junior and senior high schools.

The Japanese Medical and Dental Practitioners for the Improvement of Medical Care conducted the survey. Nurses at about 4,900 schools, or 20 percent of the nationwide total, replied based on the results of checkups conducted in fiscal 2020.

With just over a month before the Olympics, Japanese health experts say allowing locals into the stands may not be desirable given the coronavirus pandemic.

Government advisory panel chief Omi Shigeru said, "We believe that holding the Games without an audience in the venues is the most desirable option to minimize infection risks."

In Japan, most prefectures currently under a state of emergency will see that end on Sunday. From next week, bars and restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka will be able to serve alcohol. But certain conditions will be in place as cases see a slight rise.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said, "Considering the current severe infection situation in Tokyo, we will take strong measures based on the law."

The Japanese government says it will create a stronger command system to implement measures during emergencies involving infectious diseases.

The government adopted this year's basic policies for economic and fiscal management and reform on Friday.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol under certain conditions from Monday.

The move comes as the coronavirus state of emergency is to end on Sunday and be replaced by less stringent restrictions in the capital.

A bear has been shot dead after being spotted in a commercial and residential area in the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Friday. Police say the bear attacked and injured four people.

A local resident told police around 3:30 a.m. that a bear was running south on a street in the city's Higashi district.

With just over a month left before the Tokyo Olympics, Japanese officials are considering how many spectators should be allowed amid the coronavirus pandemic. Overseas spectators are banned. Health experts say holding the games without an audience in the venues is the most desirable option.

Government advisory panel chief Omi Shigeru said, "If the Olympics are to be held, we hope that the infection won't spread and medical care will not become strained. To that end, as an expert, I wrote in a proposal what the risks are and what kind of measures can be taken to deal with them."

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 453 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday.

The figure is up 18 from a week ago, marking a week-on-week increase for the third straight day.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko says that while experts' opinions are important, the limit on spectators at Olympic and Paralympic events will be decided according to the restrictions set by the central government.

Experts including Omi Shigeru, who is the head of the government's coronavirus advisory panel, submitted on Friday their opinions on the risk of the spread of the coronavirus during the Games to the organizing committee and the central government.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol under certain conditions from Monday.

The move comes as the coronavirus state of emergency is to end on Sunday and be replaced by less stringent restrictions in the capital.

With just over a month left before the Tokyo Olympics, Japanese officials are considering how many spectators should be allowed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Overseas spectators are banned. Health experts say allowing locals into the stands may not be desirable.