Students in Nagasaki have prepared water to be offered to the souls of atomic bomb victims in a service marking the 75th anniversary of the bombing of the city. The memorial ceremony will be held on Sunday.

The water offering will be placed on an altar in the Peace Park to console the souls of people who desperately asked for water after being exposed to heat from the explosion and radiation.

Japan's government plans to have passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were in close contact with those infected by the new coronavirus stay in facilities it has prepared to monitor their health.

Health minister Katsunobu Kato made the announcement on Friday. The ministry had previously planned to have such passengers remain on the ship.