Working Group To Discuss How To Reduce Okinawa's Burden Of Hosting Bases

Working group to discuss how to reduce Okinawa's burden of hosting bases

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary says the government will hold a working group meeting early next year to discuss ways to alleviate Okinawa Prefecture's burden of hosting US military bases.

The southern prefecture hosts about 70 percent of the US military facilities in Japan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu is in charge of reducing this burden.

Suga Seeks To Reduce Mobile Phone Rates

Suga seeks to reduce mobile phone rates

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has instructed the internal affairs and communications minister to work toward lower mobile phone charges.

Suga met Takeda Ryota at the prime minister's office on Friday.

Govt. Wants Firms To Reduce In-office Workers

Govt. wants firms to reduce in-office workers

The Japanese government plans to continue asking businesses to let more employees work from home, to substantially cut social contact for the coronavirus in state-of-emergency areas.

The government wants to mitigate person-to-person contacts by at least 70 percent, or preferably by 80 percent, in Tokyo and six other prefectures. It says the reduction will help contain the spread of the virus as quickly as possible.

Minister Calls For More Efforts To Reduce Contact

Minister calls for more efforts to reduce contact

The Japanese minister in charge of coronavirus measures has called for further efforts to reduce social contact by up to 80 percent to contain the spread of the virus.

Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi said on an NHK program on Sunday that there have been fewer people going out in areas covered by the state of emergency.

Honda To Reduce Production At Japan Plant Says Nikkei Report

Honda to reduce production at Japan plant says Nikkei report

Honda Motor Co will temporarily cut back production in Japan due to difficulty in sourcing parts from China amid the coronavirus outbreak, Nikkei Asian Review reported on Monday citing sources at auto parts suppliers and dealers.

The cutbacks, which will last for a few days beginning early March, will see a reduction in output by a few hundred vehicles at two plants in Saitama Prefecture, the report said.