Govt. Panel To Urge Less Contact During Holidays

Govt. panel to urge less contact during holidays

The Japanese government's coronavirus advisory panel plans to urge more restraint during the year-end and New Year holidays in areas where infections are surging.

The panel members plan to have a meeting on Friday during which they will make proposals. They will call on people in areas where infections have reached Stage 3, the second-worst level on a 4-tier scale, to move their parties online and to reconsider visiting their hometowns.

People Urge Japan To Ratify Un Nuclear Ban Treaty

People urge Japan to ratify UN nuclear ban treaty

People campaigning in Hiroshima have started collecting signatures to urge the Japanese government to sign and ratify the UN treaty banning nuclear arms. The treaty will come into force in January.

A group of about 30 people appealed for support near Peace Memorial Park in the western city on Saturday. Visitors were seen responding to their calls.

Japanese Ministers Urge Utmost Caution

Japanese ministers urge utmost caution

Japan's Cabinet ministers have urged people to take utmost caution against the coronavirus.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said in a news conference on Friday that daily national infections hit a record high on the previous day. He added that the seven-day moving average of daily cases doubled in the last two weeks.

Hibakusha Urge Japan To Join Nuclear Ban Treaty

Hibakusha urge Japan to join nuclear ban treaty

Survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and peace groups are launching a signature campaign to urge the Japanese government to ratify a UN treaty banning nuclear weapons.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will enter into force in January after reaching the necessary 50 ratifications earlier this month. But Japan is among the countries that have not signed the treaty. Nuclear powers, including the United States, Russia and China, have not joined the pact.

Science Council To Urge Suga To Approve Nominees

Science Council to urge Suga to approve nominees

The Science Council of Japan has decided to ask Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to explain why he refused to appoint six people as new members of the leading academic body, and renew its request for their appointment.

The council is designated as a special organization under the jurisdiction of the prime minister, but makes policy proposals independently from the government.

Science Council To Urge Govt. To Approve Nominees

Science Council to urge govt. to approve nominees

The Science Council of Japan plans to ask the government to explain why it refused to appoint six people as new members of the leading academic body, and renew its request for their appointment.

The council on Friday decided to make the request after Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide did not appoint six of the 105 nominees, who would have joined the council from Thursday if they were approved.

Abductees' Relatives Urge Suga To Make Progress

Abductees' relatives urge Suga to make progress

Families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea have urged the new leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, Suga Yoshihide, to make progress in resolving the issue.

Some of the relatives spoke to the media after Suga was elected LDP president on Monday. He is most likely to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Abe Shinzo this week.

Tokyo To Urge Restraint Over Holiday Weekend

Tokyo to urge restraint over holiday weekend

Sources close to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government say experts recommend that the capital remain on the highest level of alert for the new coronavirus on the four-tier scale.

Experts on infectious diseases reportedly concluded on Tuesday that "infections appear to be spreading in Tokyo." The view was based on an analysis of the extent of the outbreak in the week leading up to Monday.

Governors Urge Law Change On Business Closures

Governors urge law change on business closures

An association of Japanese prefectural governors is urging the central government to make changes in the law to make it easier to enforce requests for businesses to close to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

In a video conference on Sunday, the National Governors' Association agreed to include a request for legal revisions in their emergency proposals.

Officials Urge Continued Caution For Gifu, Nagano

Officials urge continued caution for Gifu, Nagano

The heavy rain that's been swamping the southwestern region of Kyushu has now extended into the central and eastern part of the country. The Meteorological Agency has switched a heavy rain emergency warning for Gifu and Nagano prefectures to a warning. But officials are telling residents to continue to watch out as the water is still rising in local rivers.

The areas are experiencing rainfall that hasn't been seen in several decades. Officials say the average rainfall for the month of July has already been exceeded.

Officials Urge Continued Caution For Kyushu

Officials urge continued caution for Kyushu

The intense rain in Japan's southwestern region of Kyushu is leaving dozens of people dead. Weather officials have switched a heavy rain emergency warning issued for Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki prefectures to a warning. But they're asking people to remain on alert for landslides and rivers spilling over their banks.

Officials say Chikugo River overflowed in Hita City in Oita Prefecture on Tuesday morning. Residents are being asked to monitor evacuation information and secure their safety in case of a possible disaster. Further flooding may occur in several cities along the river.

Weather Officials Urge Continued Caution

Weather officials urge continued caution

Torrential rains have been pounding Japan's southwestern region of Kyushu over the last four days. Dozens of people have been confirmed dead as the search for the missing continues.

Weather and land officials are asking people to remain on alert for flooding and landslides.

Weather Authorities Urge Residents To Stay Alert

Weather authorities urge residents to stay alert

Torrential rains that lashed southern Japan on Saturday began to ease in the afternoon, prompting authorities to change a heavy rain 'emergency warning' for Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures to a 'warning'.

Flooding continues to cause havoc in many residential areas, and Nakamoto Yoshihisa, Japan's Meteorological Agency official, urged people to remain alert, and follow any evacuation orders from their municipalities.