Animals Keeping Warm Amid Chilly Weather

Animals keeping warm amid chilly weather

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.

Ex-minister To Resign Amid Cash Scandal

Ex-minister to resign amid cash scandal

Former Japanese agriculture minister Yoshikawa Takamori says he will resign as a lawmaker amid allegations that he received cash from a lobbyist.

Sources say a former head of a major egg production company in Hiroshima Prefecture disclosed that he gave cash totaling five million yen, or about 48,000 dollars, to Yoshikawa.

Demand For Business Jets Grows Amid Pandemic

Demand for business jets grows amid pandemic

Demand for business jets has been expanding as a way to transport small groups of people while reducing the risk of catching the coronavirus.

The trend comes as Japan has resumed business travel to and from China, Singapore, and other parts of the world.

Cancer Patients Want Adequate Care Amid Pandemic

Cancer patients want adequate care amid pandemic

A group of cancer patients across Japan has asked the government to ensure that they can receive care amid concern that hospitals are under growing strain due to the surge in coronavirus cases.

The Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups wrote in a letter to the government that if the pandemic continues putting strains on the healthcare system, treatment for cancer patients may be canceled or suspended. This could result in a severe deterioration of patients' health.

Japanese Firms Streamline Offices Amid Telework

Japanese firms streamline offices amid telework

Major Japanese companies are streamlining their offices as they embrace working from home amid the pandemic. Some even see the change becoming a more permanent solution.

NHK has learned that Mitsubishi Chemical is planning to reduce its three head offices in Tokyo to a single site next April.

Hokkaido Raises Coronavirus Alert Amid Resurgence

Hokkaido raises coronavirus alert amid resurgence

Japan's northern prefecture of Hokkaido has decided to raise its alert for the coronavirus outbreak by one notch to Level 3 on a scale of five.

The move comes after the prefectural government raised the alert to Level 2 in October amid a resurgence in the number of new infections. The government asked residents and businesses to cooperate with the various restrictions.

Special Flight Offered Amid Slump Travel

Special flight offered amid slump travel

Dozens of people in northern Japan enjoyed a special sightseeing flight on Sunday, amid the slump in air travel brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan Airlines organized the flight together with the Yamagata prefectural government and a travel agency.

Disaster Drills Held Amid Spread Of Coronavirus

Disaster drills held amid spread of coronavirus

Tokushima Prefecture in western Japan held drills overnight on Monday based on the scenario that a mega earthquake hit the region amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Japan observes Disaster Prevention Day on September 1 every year to remember the Great Kanto Earthquake which struck Tokyo in 1923.

Aquarium In Okinawa Closed Amid Surge In Cases

Aquarium in Okinawa closed amid surge in cases

An aquarium in Okinawa has been temporarily closed after the southern island prefecture declared its own state of emergency amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

Officials at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in the town of Motobu say the facility will be closed from Sunday through August 15 to help prevent infections.

Yoshinoya, Laox To Close Outlets Amid Pandemic

Yoshinoya, Laox to close outlets amid pandemic

Restaurant firm Yoshinoya Holdings says it will close up to 150 of its outlets by the end of March as the coronavirus pandemic has sapped its earnings.

The company is best-known for its rice bowls topped with sliced beef. It operates 3,300 stores in Japan and abroad.

Govt. To Push Anti-virus Steps Amid Rising Cases

Govt. to push anti-virus steps amid rising cases

The Japanese government will continue to urge people and businesses to redouble their anti-infection efforts to curb an increasing number of coronavirus cases. It also plans to start a tourism stimulus program later this month.

Tokyo reported 206 new cases on Sunday, registering more than 200 for the fourth straight day. Osaka confirmed 32 infections, prompting the prefectural government to issue an alert based on its own criteria.

Haneda-chicago Route Launched Amid Pandemic

Haneda-Chicago route launched amid pandemic

United Airlines has launched flights from Tokyo to Chicago after a three-month delay amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In March, Haneda Airport had planned to increase the number of total flights by 50 per day -- many to and from the West and China. But the launch of most flights were delayed due to the pandemic.

32,000 Workers In Japan Fired Amid Pandemic

32,000 workers in Japan fired amid pandemic

Japan's labor ministry says over 32,000 workers have been discharged by their employers or faced contract nonrenewal amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ministry officials counted 32,348 such workers from the end of January through last Friday. Some 4,000 were added over the past week. The figures were taken from job placement agencies nationwide and other sources.