Japan Govt.: Children Can Chat During School Lunches With Proper Measures

Japan govt.: Children can chat during school lunches with proper measures

Japan's education ministry has notified prefectural officials that children will be allowed to chat during school lunches now that the government's anti-coronavirus rules have changed.

The government's basic measures to deal with the coronavirus urged people to eat or drink only in small groups, and to refrain from speaking with each other. But this passage was deleted last Friday in a revision.

Govt. Panel To Urge Less Contact During Holidays

Govt. panel to urge less contact during holidays

The Japanese government's coronavirus advisory panel plans to urge more restraint during the year-end and New Year holidays in areas where infections are surging.

The panel members plan to have a meeting on Friday during which they will make proposals. They will call on people in areas where infections have reached Stage 3, the second-worst level on a 4-tier scale, to move their parties online and to reconsider visiting their hometowns.

Glamping Popular During Coronavirus Epidemic

Glamping popular during coronavirus epidemic

Many summer vacationers in Japan are enjoying "glamping," as luxurious camping experiences allow them to maintain social distancing from others.

"Glamping," which combines the words "glamorous" and "camping," involves comfortable stays in facilities furnished with beds and other amenities, while being surrounded by a rich natural environment.

Govt. Calls For Covid-19 Vigilance During Holidays

Govt. calls for COVID-19 vigilance during holidays

Japan's government says it will not ask people to refrain from visiting their hometowns during the mid-summer "bon" holidays altogether, but will call on them to take anti-coronavirus measures to protect the elderly.

The minister in charge of the coronavirus response, Nishimura Yasutoshi, said at a news conference on Wednesday that people will have increased chances of meeting the elderly as well as eating and drinking with them during their hometown visits. He called on people to avoid dining in large groups and to take other anti-infection measures during the holidays.

Inter-prefecture Trips Down During Spring Holidays

Inter-prefecture trips down during spring holidays

A major Japanese cell-phone carrier has found that trips between prefectures during the holiday period from the end of April to early May were significantly down from last year.

KDDI examined data from users' smartphones for the spring holiday period that ended on May 6. During this period, people were urged to stay home amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

Inter-prefecture Trips Down During Spring Holiday

Inter-prefecture trips down during spring holiday

A major Japanese cell-phone carrier has found that trips between prefectures during the holiday period from the end of April to early May were significantly down from last year.

KDDI examined data from users' smartphones for the spring holiday period that ended on May 6. During this period, people were urged to stay home amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

49 Artists To Participate In Youtube Music Program During Golden Week

49 artists to participate in YouTube music program during Golden Week

In an effort to encourage citizens to stay home during Golden Week, which is often considered a time of leisure and travel for Japan, YouTube will be hosting a music program called 'YouTube Music Week STAY HOME #WITHME' from April 29 to May 6. 

This program was started by Google Japan in order for everyone to enjoy music at home during Golden Week. During the 8 days, 49 artists will participate by revealing live footage and other contents via their official YouTube channels. The time table and other information will be announced on YouTube Japan's official Twitter account (@YouTubeJapan). 

Abe Urges People To Avoid Travel During Holidays

Abe urges people to avoid travel during holidays

Japan's Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has repeated his call for people to avoid travel during the upcoming holidays, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus from urban to rural areas.

Abe was speaking at a news conference on Friday, one day after a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak was expanded nationwide. The declaration had covered Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures.

Abe To Ask All Schools To Close During March

Abe to ask all schools to close during March

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the government is planning to ask all elementary, junior and senior high schools and special support schools in the country to shut down from Monday, until the start of the spring holidays, in a bid to reduce the risk of students catching the new coronavirus.

Abe unveiled the plan on Thursday at a meeting of the government's taskforce on the coronavirus outbreak.

Train Services To Run Later During Tokyo Olympics

Train services to run later during Tokyo Olympics

The last train schedules in and around the Japanese capital will be extended by up to two hours during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Some events at the 2020 Games will end after 11 p.m. As a measure to allow spectators to get home easily from venues, the Tokyo Metropolitan government, the Olympic organizing committee and 19 railway operators agreed to extend the train service hours.