The Japanese government has decided to suspend new entries of all non-resident foreign nationals following the detection of variants of the coronavirus outside the country.

The government will implement the measure between December 28 and January 31.

The Japanese government has decided to suspend new entries of foreign nationals in an effort to stop the influx of a new coronavirus variant.

The new strain has been spreading outside Japan in at least 14 countries and one territory. It is believed to be more contagious than the original virus.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has announced that the government will temporarily suspend its "Go To Travel" campaign across the country from December 28 to January 11. The move is aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus infections during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Suga made the announcement at a government taskforce meeting on Monday evening.

Japan's prime minister says the government will entirely suspend its domestic travel subsidy campaign late this month as the number of new coronavirus infections remains at record high levels.

It's been reported that Snow Man member Iwamoto Hikaru (26) will temporarily suspend his activities. On the March 27th issue of weekly tabloid magazine 'FRIDAY,' it was reported that Iwamoto consumed alcoholic beverages with a minor back when he was a Johnny's Jr. member in November 2017. 

A statement was released on Johnny & Associates' official website, stating, "We sincerely apologize to all of our fans and supporters for causing worries and troubles due to the article that was published the other day. We are truly sorry that such reports surfaced during these unstable times caused by the new coronavirus." 

A Japanese high court will soon rule on whether to suspend a nuclear reactor in western Japan after local residents filed for an injunction over safety concerns.

The Hiroshima High Court will announce a decision on Friday afternoon on the No.3 reactor at the Ikata nuclear plant in Ehime Prefecture. The plant is operated by Shikoku Power Electric Company.