A Japanese university student is questioning the government's new target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Nakamura Suzuka, who is a member of the international youth climate movement Fridays for Future, attended the Lower House committee meeting as an observer on Friday.
Japan's tourism minister Akaba Kazuyoshi says the government is considering additional relief measures for tourism businesses.
Akaba was speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting on Friday. The government is expected to declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus for Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures later in the day.
The head of the Japanese government's expert panel on the coronavirus says the third state of emergency could be extended unless certain conditions are met.
On Friday morning, the panel approved a government plan to issue the state of emergency for Tokyo, and three western prefectures of Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto from Sunday through May 11. It would come into effect just in time for the upcoming holiday period.
Parts of Japan are likely to mark their second year of spring holidays under a state of emergency. The government's panel of experts approved a plan involving Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures. It could come into effect just in time for the holiday period.
Infections are increasing in two of Japan's major urban centers, where more contagious variants are spreading.
Japan's prime minister announced the country's new target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Suga Yoshihide said, "I have pledged to achieve a carbon-neutral society by 2050 and have made it a pillar of our growth strategies. Japan is now taking a giant step forward toward solving global challenges. In line with our goal for 2050, and as a more ambitious goal, we now aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent by 2030, compared with fiscal 2013 levels."
Japan's government is reportedly in the final stage of discussions on declaring a state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka and two other populous prefectures amid rising COVID-19 infections.
Senior officials of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party told reporters on Thursday that they were informed of the plan by the government. The two other prefectures are Hyogo and Kyoto, both neighboring Osaka.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has announced a new greenhouse gas emissions target for Japan, a reduction of 46% from fiscal 2013 levels by 2030 instead of the previous 26%.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 861 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday.
The number is the highest since the second state of emergency for the capital ended about a month ago.
The Science Council of Japan, the country's leading academic body, has again demanded that Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide appoint all the scholars it nominated for membership.
This is the third such call by the council since last October, when Suga refused to appoint six of the 105 nominees it recommended. The council is made up of 210 members, half of whom are replaced with new members every three years.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the government will do all it can to prevent its decision to release treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the sea from causing reputational damage to the prefecture.
Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao visited Suga at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Thursday.
A trade fair has been held in the Chinese city of Tianjin to promote Japanese sake, seasoning and other ingredients to local restaurants and bars.
The event held on Wednesday at a hotel brought 19 Japan-affiliated food makers based in China together with operators of local dining venues.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says a potential state of emergency that could be imposed on Tokyo will not have a direct impact on the Tokyo Games.
The Japanese government is considering declaring a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other prefectures to curb a new spike of coronavirus cases. It plans to make a formal decision on Friday after consulting specialists.
NHK has learned that US Forces appear to have airdropped supplies during a drill that took place in waters near the Senkaku Islands, where Chinese ships navigate on a regular basis.
Japanese defense sources say US Forces initially planned a drill involving troops by transport plane.
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide appears set to unveil the government's greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030 at an online climate change summit organized by the United States.
Hosted by US President Joe Biden, the two-day meeting, which starts on Thursday, is expected to bring together world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping.