Japanese institutions have started a clinical trial for a COVID-19 drug containing antibodies collected from people who recovered from the disease, as part of an international program.

The program is funded by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. From Japan, the National Center for Global Health and Medicine and Fujita Health University jointly launched a trial.

Japanese authorities have reported more than 3,200 new coronavirus cases so far on Wednesday -- the highest daily tally ever.

Nationwide, more than 200,000 people have tested positive. The total number of deaths is 3,058.

Japanese health ministry officials have come up with a draft vaccination plan that specifically defines which pre-existing conditions should be given priority in the country's coronavirus vaccination program. They plan to include people suffering from chronic heart diseases and cancer.

The ministry plans to start inoculating medical workers around late February, followed by the elderly in late March.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 748 new coronavirus cases in the Japanese capital on Wednesday. It's the second highest figure after last Thursday's record of 821.

The daily tally last surpassed 700 on Saturday, when 736 cases were confirmed.

The Japanese government says it will tighten entry restrictions on travelers from the United Kingdom, in response to the spread there of what is said to be a highly contagious variant of the new coronavirus.

Some neighboring countries have banned passenger flights from Britain.

Tokyo prosecutors are expected to bring a summary indictment soon against a secretary of former prime minister Abe Shinzo over alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

It has been revealed that Abe's office had covered part of the cost of dinner parties for his supporters at Tokyo hotels. They were held on the eve of government-funded cherry blossom viewing events while Abe was in office.

NHK has learned that the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant plans to postpone removing radioactive debris from inside a reactor because preparatory tests have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Tokyo Electric Power Company had planned to conduct robotic arm experiments in Britain in August, but the plan was suspended due to the pandemic. Transporting the robotic arm to Japan would be difficult.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed a senior UN official from Japan to lead its office in the Serbian capital of Belgrade working toward a peace-building mission in Kosovo.

A UN spokesperson said on Tuesday that Yamashita Mari will serve as Representative and Director of the UN Office in Belgrade.

Japanese authorities reported 2,688 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.

They reported 47 deaths, including 12 in Osaka.

An expert panel advising Japan's health ministry says the spread of the coronavirus continues nationwide.

The panel said on Tuesday that the northern island of Hokkaido has seen a clear reduction in new cases, but that is not the case anywhere else in the country.

Sources say Tokyo prosecutors questioned former prime minister Abe Shinzo on a voluntary basis on Monday over alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

One of Abe's secretaries, who heads his support group, is said to be under investigation on suspicion of violating the political funds control law.

Monkeys at a zoo in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, are gathering around a bonfire to warm up in the winter cold.

The Japan Monkey Centre in Inuyama City showcases the event every year. The custom began nearly 60 years ago when zookeepers made a bonfire for themselves ... and the monkeys who are usually scared of fire moved closer to enjoy its warmth.

Sources say Tokyo prosecutors questioned former prime minister Abe Shinzo on Monday over alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

Abe's office is said to have shouldered part of the costs of parties held for his supporters at Tokyo hotels.

Japanese health ministry panel members say they are still not confident enough to approve the influenza drug Avigan to treat COVID-19 patients.

Members of the panel met behind closed doors on Monday to discuss the efficacy and safety of the drug developed by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical.