The mid-summer holidays in Japan are a time when many people visit their hometowns and family. Ahead of the "bon" holidays next week, the government plans to set guidelines to prevent travelers from spreading the coronavirus.
Some local leaders are worried that people living in city areas may spread the virus when they visit their smaller locales for family reunions.
Japan's health ministry plans to improve its online data-sharing system on people infected with the coronavirus in order to encourage more usage by local governments.
Public health authorities launched the system in late May. It allows the central government, local governments and medical institutions across the country to share data. Information entered into the system includes the names of people who underwent PCR tests and their results.
Japan's government is again shifting its policy on a major campaign to shore up tourism hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Transport and tourism minister Akaba Kazuyoshi now says people will not have to pay cancellation fees for trips to and from Tokyo, which have been excluded from the campaign.
Japan's minister in charge of the coronavirus response says he'll seek experts' views on the planned easing of attendance limits for major events on August 1.
Nishimura Yasutoshi said on Tuesday that he'll ask experts at a government subcommittee meeting on Wednesday to analyze the latest infection trends.
Japan's minister in charge of the coronavirus response says the government will seek expert advice on whether to further ease the restrictions on public events.
Nishimura Yasutoshi took up the issue during a video conference with the leaders of three major business organizations.
The Japanese government will financially help companies relocate or diversify their production bases from China and elsewhere. It is hoping to reduce the risk of concentrating output in certain parts of the world.
Earlier this year, shipments to Japan of face masks and other products stalled amid the global spread of the coronavirus. This was partly because the country had been largely relying on production facilities in China for such goods.
Japan's minister in charge of coronavirus response says a government panel of experts has approved a domestic tourism campaign that excludes travel plans to and from Tokyo.
Nishimura Yasutoshi made the announcement on the "Go To Travel" drive after a subcommittee meeting on Thursday.
The Japanese government plans to seek opinions from experts on a package of measures to stimulate consumption for an economic recovery from the coronavirus outbreak.
The government plans to launch its "Go To" campaign on Wednesday next week. It covers tourism, restaurant and other industries hit by the outbreak.
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.
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.
The Japanese government plans to tighten conditions to export coal power generation systems. It will only allow export of systems that meet the strictest environmental standards.
The government compiled an outline of its new strategy to step up infrastructure related exports on Thursday.
Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has compiled this year's list of more than 100 top domestic companies in niche industries worldwide.
The ministry selected the firms based on their global market shares and techniques to produce key parts or materials for supply chains. It plans to support the research and development of those companies.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has instructed officials to take every possible measure to deal with rain disasters in the country's southwest, with the priority on saving lives.
Abe held a meeting of ministers on Saturday morning to discuss government responses, after a heavy rain emergency warning was issued for the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and other ministers attended.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has instructed officials to take every possible measure to deal with rain disasters in the country's southwest, with the priority on saving lives.
Abe held a meeting of ministers on Saturday morning to discuss government responses, after a heavy rain emergency warning was issued for the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and other ministers attended.