People in Japan are taking a moment today to remember the lives lost nine years after a magnitude-9 earthquake struck the country triggering a tsunami and nuclear accident. 15,899 people died and more than 2,529 remain missing.
Early Wednesday morning, people in the disaster stricken Tohoku region gathered to pray for the souls of the victims.
People in Japan will take a moment to pause and remember the lives lost 9 years after a major earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident struck the country's northeast. Lives were changed forever -- and many are still coping with the aftermath.
On March 11, 2011 a magnitude-9 earthquake struck -- generating a tsunami more than ten meters tall.
The Japanese government is set to deny entry to visitors from the northern area of Italy which is the latest hot spot in the coronavirus crisis.
The entry ban will cover five regions including hardest-hit Lombardy and the Republic of San Marino.
A panel of experts reviewing Japan's anti-coronavirus measures says the country has kept the outbreak under control to a certain extent.
The government panel revealed its opinion on Monday. Two weeks ago it said Japan was at a crossroads, as far as the containment of the virus was concerned.
Travelers arriving to Japan from two neighboring countries are now facing stricter controls. The tight restrictions are part of the government's efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus... but they've left some passengers confused.
Flights arriving from China and South Korea can now only land at two airports - one near Tokyo or another in Osaka.
Japan is set to deny entry to visitors from northern parts of Italy. The Italian areas have been virtually locked down, amid efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The Japanese government is preparing to add northern areas of Italy to the coronavirus travel ban list. People visiting from regions on the list have been barred from entering Japan.
US residents of Japan voted in a Democratic Party presidential primary on Sunday that is being held in 44 countries and territories.
Ballot stations were set up in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Many people came to the polling station in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward when it opened at noon.
The number of coronavirus infections in Japan had increased to 456 as of 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. In addition to this figure, 696 people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have been infected, and 14 cases have been confirmed among people who returned on chartered flights from Hubei Province in China.
The tally is based on data compiled by the health ministry and local governments.
The Japanese health minister says he expects the country's capability to test people for the new coronavirus will top 7,000 a day by the end of this month.
Katsunobu Kato made the comment on an NHK talk show on Sunday.
People trying to get to Japan from China and South Korea are rushing to complete the trip before the government starts quarantining all arrivals from the two countries.
The Japanese government said earlier this week that from Monday it will require everyone coming from the two neighboring countries to be isolated at designated facilities for two weeks, as part of measures to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
An international survey shows female representation in national parliaments around the world has almost doubled in the past 25 years. But Japan ranked low despite an increase in the proportion of female lawmakers.
The Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union released the results of its survey of the number of women in the lower or single houses of parliament around the world. The publication comes ahead of International Women's Day, on March 8.
The Japanese government is asking travelers from China and South Korea to self-quarantine for two weeks starting from Monday in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
It will apply to everyone entering from the two countries, including Japanese nationals, until the end of March.
The Japanese government is stepping up measures to curb the new coronavirus spread. As of next Monday, the country will begin quarantining visitors from China and South Korea.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, "We will ask people entering Japan from the two countries to stay at places designated by the quarantine chief for two weeks and not to use public transportation systems in the country."
Japan and China have agreed to postpone Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Japan due to the coronavirus outbreak. Xi had been scheduled to arrive in Japan in early April.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in Tokyo on Thursday that Japan and Beijing will reschedule the visit.