Weather officials in Japan say the worst may be over for areas that have been devastated by intense downpours. But as the rain moves south, authorities are warning that people should continue to watch out for landslides.
Water has begun to recede in Shimane Prefecture. A swollen river there inundated homes. The water rose up to the ceilings in some residences.
Japan's health ministry is resuming the nation's coronavirus contact-tracing app service on Wednesday. The app has been under repair because of a glitch.
The smartphone app is designed to notify users who are thought to have been in close contact with someone infected with the virus.
Officials in Tokyo are considering how to respond to clustered coronavirus outbreaks that contributed to a recent rise in infections. This week's daily numbers have hovered in the mid-100s ... after figures topped 200 for four straight days.
The officials confirmed 143 new infections in the capital on Tuesday, bringing the city's total to nearly 8,200.
An advisory panel of experts to Japan's health ministry warns that coronavirus infections are continuing to spread throughout the country.
In a meeting on Tuesday, the 15-member panel said the case count is increasing among older people in Tokyo, and some cases outside the capital may have been caused by people who traveled to and from Tokyo.
Japan's government is considering whether to request business closures for nightlife establishments that fail to follow its guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
A request based on a special law to tackle the outbreak is under consideration for non-compliant businesses where staff and customers come into close contact.
Torrential rain has devastated parts of Japan. In the western region of Chugoku, thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate after a major river burst its banks. Officials are having a tough time helping the survivors while maintaining anti-COVID measures.
One of the hardest-hit prefectures on Tuesday was Shimane where the largest river in the Chugoku Region overflowed flooding large areas. Authorities have issued evacuation orders to more than 3,000 households.
People in Tokyo are watching with wary eyes as the latest daily case numbers hover in the mid-100s after topping 200 four days in a row through Sunday.
Officials confirmed 143 new infections in the capital on Tuesday, bringing the total number to nearly 8,200 in the city of 14 million.
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has told the governor of Osaka Prefecture that the government will work together with local authorities to curb coronavirus infections.
Abe met Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi on Tuesday at the prime minister's office and discussed measures against the virus.
A governor in northern Japan has expressed concern that the central government's nationwide travel campaign could help spread coronavirus infections.
The government's Go To Travel Campaign, aimed at boosting domestic tourism with offers of discounts and subsidies, kicks off on July 22.
Japan's health ministry says a study has found that coronavirus antibodies have the ability to prevent infections.
The ministry tested nearly 8,000 people in June, and analyzed their blood samples for the presence of certain proteins that indicate a past infection.
A hotel in western Japan is trying to revive its fortunes by creating a safe way for business people to hold functions and banquets in the coronavirus era.
The JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture invited local executives to see a demonstration on Tuesday.
The organizer of a stage production in Tokyo says 37 people, including actors and members of the audience, have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus.
The play ran between June 30 and July 5 at Theater Moliere in Shinjuku Ward.
Two destroyers of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force are expected to take part in US-led military exercises around Hawaii next month.
The biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise, or RIMPAC, is scheduled to take place from August 17 to 31.
Tokyo officials confirmed 143 new infections in the capital on Tuesday. The increase brings the total number of confirmed cases to nearly 8,200 in the city of 14 million people.
The daily tally had topped 200 four days in a row through Sunday. Many of the recent cases are young people who work at or have visited nightlife districts.