Japan's nuclear regulator has decided that problems at a terrorism-response facility for a reactor must not be made public in principle until they are resolved. The regulator regards the decision as part of anti-terrorism measures.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority discussed on Wednesday its policy of disclosing possible problems at the back-up facilities. The agency also decided when information is released after resolution, details should not be included. The regulator also says it will swiftly disclose serious problems that may lead to a halt of a reactor while withholding their details.

NHK has learned that the Japanese government has been having trouble collecting data on people infected with the coronavirus through a new information-sharing system.

The central government has been asking local governments to introduce the Health Center Real-time Information-sharing System on COVID-19, or HER-SYS, since May.

A survey has found that many Japanese nationals living overseas are being severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

A Japanese company, Locotabi, conducted a survey earlier this month of around 44,000 Japanese who live abroad and are registered with the firm as local guides. A total of 2,155 people from 94 countries and territories responded.

An emergency seminar has been held online to help cope with alcohol addiction, as people are urged to stay home in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The Japan-based group called "Oneness Group" is working to help people recover from alcohol addiction.

There's concern and confusion over the Japanese prime minister's plan to shut down the nation's schools to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. More than 12 million students could be kept home starting next week. Parents scrambles to figure out what to do with their kids.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe effectively asked all elementary, junior high, senior high schools, and special-needs schools to start their spring holidays from Monday instead of late March. This essentially shutters schools for weeks.

The operator of the Ikata nuclear power plant in western Japan says it will place top priority on determining what caused a series of serious problems at the plant.

Shikoku Electric Power Company President Keisuke Nagai apologized to Ehime Governor Tokihiro Nakamura for the problems on Monday.