• Japanese public worried Olympics may be a superspreader event despite spectator ban

    Japanese public worried Olympics may be a superspreader event despite spectator ban

    Jul 08, 2021 10:20 PM EDT

    The decision to bar spectators from Olympic events in Tokyo, Japan comes two weeks before the games, citing the risk of COVID-19. Only 15% of the country's population is fully vaccinated. How will it affect the games? Christine Brennan, a sports columnist for USA Today, and Sheila Smith, a senior fellow for Asia Pacific studies...

  • Japan searches for dozens missing in mudslide; 4 dead

    Japan searches for dozens missing in mudslide; 4 dead

    Jul 05, 2021 02:46 PM EDT

    ... said he was staying away from evacuation centers because he is concerned about the coronavirus. The Izusan area is one of 660,000 locations in Japan identified as prone to mudslides by the government, but those designations are not widely publicized and public awareness is low. Early July, near the ...

  • Japan’s emperor is ‘extremely worried’ the Tokyo Olympics could accelerate coronavirus spread

    Japan’s emperor is ‘extremely worried’ the Tokyo Olympics could accelerate coronavirus spread

    Jun 24, 2021 02:01 PM EDT

    TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito is "extremely worried" that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics could accelerate the spread of the coronavirus, the head of the Imperial Palace said Thursday with the games opening in one month. The games will bring thousands of foreign athletes, officials, sponsors and journalists to ...

  • U.S., Japan reaffirm alliance amid China territorial claims

    U.S., Japan reaffirm alliance amid China territorial claims

    Jun 01, 2021 08:33 PM EDT

    ... to bolster its military capabilities amid a deepening territorial row with China in regional seas. It is increasingly concerned about Chinese activity in and around Japanese-claimed waters surrounding the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which China also claims and calls Diaoyu. Japan's postwar constitution has limited the use of ...

  • Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late

    Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late

    Jun 01, 2021 05:57 PM EDT

    But there are signs of improvement. The vaccine supply has increased and despite earlier expectations of a hesitant response to vaccines in general, senior citizens fearful of the virus are rushing to inoculation sites. Since May 24, Japan has deployed 280 military doctors and nurses in Tokyo and the badly ...

  • Japan extends virus emergency with safe Olympics at stake

    Japan extends virus emergency with safe Olympics at stake

    May 28, 2021 03:15 PM EDT

    TOKYO (AP) — Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas for 20 more days on Friday, with infections still not slowing as it prepares to host the Olympics in just over 50 days. Cases remain high and medical systems in Osaka, the hardest-hit area in ...

  • Tokyo Olympics to open even if COVID-19 cases rise in Japan

    Tokyo Olympics to open even if COVID-19 cases rise in Japan

    May 21, 2021 02:13 PM EDT

    ... lot of people are coming from abroad,” she said. “There are other people who are concerned about the possible burden on the medical system of Japan.” She said the number of “stakeholders” coming to Japan from abroad had been reduced from 180,000 to about 80,000. She said Olympic ...

  • Japan expands virus emergency ahead of Tokyo Olympics

    Japan expands virus emergency ahead of Tokyo Olympics

    May 14, 2021 02:36 PM EDT

    ... determination to hold the Olympics in just over two months. Japan has been struggling to slow infections ahead of the games. The three additions are Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, where the Olympic marathon will be held, and Hiroshima and Okayama in western Japan. Despite the worsening infections, Suga ...

  • WATCH: Biden meets with Japanese prime minister, first guest to White House

    WATCH: Biden meets with Japanese prime minister, first guest to White House

    Apr 16, 2021 02:33 PM EDT

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned his Japanese counterpart in a call ahead of Suga's visit to see to it that China-Japan relations “do not get involved in the so-called confrontation between major countries,” according to a Chinese government readout. Japan's economy is intertwined with China ...

  • WATCH: Psaki speaks on Japan's prime minister visit, Iran, Russia

    WATCH: Psaki speaks on Japan's prime minister visit, Iran, Russia

    Apr 02, 2021 04:39 PM EDT

    ... Watch Psaki's remarks in the player above. Press secretary Jen Psaki said the visit reflects "the importance we place on our bilateral relationship with Japan and our friendship and partnership with the Japanese people." The United States and Iran say they will begin indirect talks with other major world ...