The All Japan Judo Federation is working on a new project to use the sport's techniques to help elderly people avoid falls.
Japan's health ministry says the number of people aged 65 or older who died as the result of a fall has been on rise, with more than 8,800 deaths reported in 2020. That's about four times the number of people in the same age group who died in traffic accidents.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 572 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday.
The capital's daily tally is the second-largest, following 584 cases reported on Saturday.
Japan's health ministry has called on public health centers to make it mandatory to conduct coronavirus tests at facilities for the elderly when any of the residents or staff develops a fever or other symptoms.
The ministry issued a notice to public health centers across the country via prefectural governments on Thursday.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to launch a program that will help elderly people to receive necessary care if their close family members test positive for the coronavirus.
After their family members get infected with the virus, elderly people are regarded as a close contact to the infected and become isolated with no one around to support them at home. There are also cases in which a family member infected with the virus often has to stay home to continue to provide care for the elderly.
Japan's internal affairs ministry says the number of elderly people in the nation has set a new record high. The ratio of elderly to the total population is also the highest in the world.
The ministry publicized the figures on Sunday, one day before Japan marks Respect for the Aged Day.
Japan's government will offer subsidies to make coronavirus testing more available to elderly people and those with pre-existing conditions.
The health ministry has decided to cover up to half the cost when local governments carry out PCR or antigen tests for persons in either of the two groups.
Japan's health ministry has decided to give seasonal flu shots to elderly people first, from October 1.
The decision was made on Friday amid concerns over simultaneous outbreaks of influenza and coronavirus infections, which are hard to distinguish.
Even if it doesn't feel like it, winter is coming -- and with it, fears of another wave of the coronavirus on top of the seasonal influenza. Japanese health officials plan to call on elderly people -- who are most prone to becoming seriously ill -- to get a flu vaccine before a potential shortage makes it difficult.
The health ministry estimates flu vaccines will be supplied from October enough to cover about 63 million people -- half of the country's population.
A Japanese high court has overturned a lower court ruling that found a nurse guilty of giving a doughnut to an elderly woman who later died after choking on it.
The 60-year-old practical nurse works at a special nursing care home for the elderly in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan.
An 81-year-old was taken into custody last week after crashing his Subaru Outback on a pedestrian walkway in Florida.