The Japanese government plans to accelerate its coronavirus vaccination drive by gradually shifting its focus from the elderly to other groups.

The government is considering offering vaccinations at workplaces and university campuses as early as the middle of June.

The Japanese government is planning to introduce a 6-day self-isolation period for people entering the country from Vietnam and Malaysia.

The move comes after Vietnamese authorities reported the discovery of a new variant with characteristics of the India and UK variants. It also comes amid a rapid increase in the cases of coronavirus variants in Malaysia.

Japan's current state of emergency will be extended from Tuesday in nine prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka.

The northern prefecture of Hokkaido confirmed 279 new infections on Monday.

Japanese government officials have held their first working-group meeting to prevent reputational damage after a decision to release treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

The government set up the group, which consists mainly of sub-ministerial members, following the decision in April to start releasing treated water from the troubled plant into the ocean in about two years.

Japan's health ministry has decided to expand the use of US pharmaceutical company Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine in its public inoculation program to include children aged 12 to 15.

The vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, is one of those being used in the ministry's inoculation program.

The year's first shipments of Muscat of Alexandria grapes have begun in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan.

The seeded variety, dubbed the "Queen of Grapes" in Japan, is known for its distinctive flavor and balanced sweetness and acidity.

Tokyo's Harajuku district is famous around the world for its quirky fashions and trendy stores. Now, virtual visitors have been joining the fun.

The Virtual Harajuku app lets people stroll around and browse using avatars. They can snap up items to be delivered in the real world, as well as joining special events with celebrity guests.

Japan's imports at Narita Airport reached a record high in April as the country brought in more coronavirus vaccines.

Figures released by Tokyo Customs show that the imports totaled more than 1.34 trillion yen, or about 12 billion dollars. That's up 26.4 percent from the same month last year and is the largest for April.

Seafood production in Japan has hit a record low for the second straight year.

The fisheries ministry says the output of marine products last year edged down 0.5 percent from the previous year to 4.175 million tons. That figure includes farmed marine products.

A Japanese survey shows smokers are consuming more tobacco products amid the pandemic due to frustration from anti-coronavirus restrictions.

The National Cancer Center Japan conducted an online survey in March asking 1,000 each of smokers and non-smokers aged 20 or older how they have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The medical care system in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Okinawa remains under extremely heavy strain from the current wave of coronavirus infections.

Okinawa is one of the 10 prefectures currently under a coronavirus state of emergency. Okinawa confirmed 271 new cases on Sunday, the fourth highest for the prefecture.

More people will become eligible for coronavirus vaccinations at state-run, large-scale inoculation venues in Tokyo and Osaka, starting on Monday. Daily immunization slots at the sites will also increase.

The central government opened the two venues on May 24 to help accelerate vaccinations for elderly citizens.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 448 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday.

The figure is 87 fewer than a week ago, and marks the 17th straight day of week-on-week declines.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako made an online appearance at a tree-planting festival in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, on Sunday.

This year's event was held in the city of Oda. It had been postponed by one year because of the coronavirus pandemic.