A panel of experts has agreed to a Japanese government plan to retain caps on spectator numbers at major events until the end of February to curb coronavirus infections.
The government panel gave the nod at a meeting on Thursday as new cases are surging again across the nation.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu says the Japanese government will keep a close eye on developments regarding China's coast guard, including a planned legal revision outlining its responsibilities.
Kato told reporters on Thursday the government is committed to defending the lives and assets of the Japanese people, including fishing boats, as well as Japan's territorial waters and air space. He pledged to continue to monitor and patrol the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and deal calmly yet firmly with China.
The Sony Xperia 5 II has only just started hitting customers hands, and the smartphone has already been disassembled. The video below shows the handset being torn down step-by-step, and makes you appreciate the clean engineering design that goes into its manufacture, particularly given the slim and relatively compact design.
Russia's presidential office spokesperson has expressed hope that the successor of Japan's Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will remain committed to boosting ties with Moscow to resolve the issue involving Russian-controlled islands claimed by Japan.
Dmitry Peskov spoke to the state-run Tass news agency about peace treaty negotiations that will continue under a new Japanese leader. Abe has announced his intention to step down to deal with health issues.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide says the government will continue to do its best to contain the coronavirus and protect people's lives and health.
Suga said the government has been dealing with the challenge of containing the outbreak since January. He said it will continue to work hard to prevent the explosive increase in infections that has been seen in the US and some European countries.
A Japanese surfers' association is asking its members to stay at home because a state of emergency is in place for the coronavirus pandemic.
The Nippon Surfing Association posted a message on its website on Wednesday, ahead of the spring holidays that begin next week.
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Japan has exceeded 9,000 as of Thursday. The figure includes people determined to be positive during airport quarantine checks, health ministry officials, and individuals who returned to Japan on chartered planes.
574 new cases were confirmed across the country, bringing the total to 9,296.
The number of new coronavirus infection cases in Japan as of Wednesday before noon was 31, bringing the total to 4,490.
The figure includes those found to have the virus in airport quarantine checks, and those who returned to Japan on chartered planes from China.
The Tokyo metropolitan government plans to continue asking residents to work from home and refrain from nighttime outings on weekdays as much as possible to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The request will remain in place at least until April 12. The Tokyo government has postponed or canceled major events that had been scheduled during this period.
Japan has reported 39 more infections with the new coronavirus, bringing the total to 1,054 as of midnight Sunday.
The figure, provided by the health ministry and local governments, includes 14 cases confirmed among people who returned from China's Hubei Province on chartered flights.
The number of coronavirus infections in Japan increased to 936 as of 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, with three new cases confirmed. The data was compiled by local governments and the health ministry.
The figure includes 14 cases confirmed among people who returned from China's Hubei Province on chartered flights.
The number of coronavirus infections in Japan increased to 821 on Monday with 17 new cases confirmed. The data was compiled by local governments and the health ministry.
In addition, 712 people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have been infected, and 14 cases have been confirmed among people who returned from China's Hubei Province on chartered flights.
A Japanese government panel of experts plans to decide in about ten days whether to continue the current measures on fighting the new coronavirus.
Members of a panel of experts met on Monday to review the measures currently in place nationwide based on analysis on their effectiveness. The measures call for cancellations of large-scale events and the temporary closures of schools.
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