Workers Around Us Base In Okinawa Tested For Virus

Workers around US base in Okinawa tested for virus

People working around a US military base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, have been tested for the coronavirus amid a rising number of cases at the base.

A local medical association and prefectural officials took test samples from about 200 people in Kin Town on Sunday. The people tested are taxi drivers and employees of bars and night clubs frequented by individuals connected to Camp Hansen, which is located in the town.

Nishimura Talks With Governors Around Tokyo

Nishimura talks with governors around Tokyo

Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is in charge of the national coronavirus response, has spoken online with governors of three prefectures neighboring Tokyo, where over 100 new cases have been confirmed on a daily basis.

In Sunday's web meeting, Nishimura said the government does not think a state of emergency should be declared again, but that it is working to analyze whether there are unknown clusters and whether infection is spreading in communities.

Emergency May End Around May 14 In Some Areas

Emergency may end around May 14 in some areas

Japan's government says it may lift the country's state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak in some prefectures around May 14.

Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi spoke about the possibility to reporters on Thursday.

Less People Around Tokyo's Ikebukuro Station

Less people around Tokyo's Ikebukuro station

Saturday morning around Tokyo's Ikebukuro station was quieter than usual as people appeared to be following a request to stay home. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government continues to urge against nonessential weekend outings as a way of containing the coronavirus.

Department stores stand shuttered behind posters advising of temporary closures. The district's major electronics stores have also shortened their opening hours.

Less People Around Tokyo's Shibuya Station

Less people around Tokyo's Shibuya station

A request by Tokyo's governor that people stay home this weekend amid the coronavirus outbreak had shown some results on Saturday morning. Observers reported seeing fewer people than usual around the major rail hub of Shibuya.

A few people were sitting on the benches near the Hachiko dog statue, a popular meeting spot.

Radiation Levels Drop 78% Around Fukushima Daiichi

Radiation levels drop 78% around Fukushima Daiichi

Japan's nuclear regulator says radiation levels around the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have decreased to about a quarter of 2011 levels.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority says radiation levels recorded last September fell by about 78 percent compared to levels recorded in October 2011. Data was compiled in almost identical circumstances on both occasions.