Tokyo, Osaka Among Areas Shifting Virus Focus
Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures have shifted to focused coronavirus restrictions after the areas' third state of emergency came to an end on Sunday. However, the strictest measures remain in effect in Okinawa.
In Osaka, bars and restaurants meeting the local government's guidelines are now allowed to serve alcohol for the first time in two months. But it can be served only between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
One restaurant manager there said, "Many customers wanted to order beer, but just left because we couldn't serve it. I'm glad that we can finally sell alcohol."
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum also reopened to visitors. It's dedicated to the 1945 atomic bombing.
In August, the city will mark 76 years since the US dropped the first nuclear bomb on Japan.
Museum director Takigawa Takuo said, "I've been waiting to reopen the museum ahead of August 6, when the number of students on school trips and visiting researchers will begin to increase."
Meanwhile, group vaccinations at workplaces and universities kicked off on Monday to help speed up the vaccine rollout.
Kindai University in western Japan is hoping to vaccinate 34,000 students and staff members within the next two months.
Its classes are currently being held online. The university says it wants to resume in-person lectures as soon as possible. Students say they are pleased they're able to get their shots sooner than expected.
One male student said, "I thought our generation would have to wait longer. I'm happy the university has secured the vaccine for us."
Across the country, health officials confirmed more than 1,300 new cases on Sunday, with 20 more deaths.
According to researchers, around 16 percent of Japan's population has now received at least one dose of the vaccine.