YURIKO KOIKE

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Wednesday adopted legislation recognizing same-sex partnerships — but falls short of approving same-sex unions as legal marriages.

People across Japan are celebrating the peak cherry blossom viewing season one week after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, triggering concerns of a possible virus resurgence.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced plans to keep COVID-19 restrictions for Tokyo and 12 other areas for three more weeks until early March.

Tokyo and a dozen other areas in Japan will face new coronavirus restrictions effective Friday, with local leaders shortening hours for restaurants, as omicron cases hit a record high in the capital.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has asked that the U.S. military in Japan stay inside its bases to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Giant panda twins born at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo in June now have their names.

The two women in the Japanese governing party’s four-way leadership race was a step forward for gender equality.

Two women are among candidates for Japan’s governing party leadership for the first time in 13 years in what seems like a big step in the country's male-dominated politics.

Official campaigning has begun for the new head of Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party, who typically becomes the national leader.

All fans will be barred from the Paralympics because of the coronavirus pandemic just as they were from the recently-completed Tokyo Olympics.

Coronavirus infection cases have reached daily records in Tokyo, now playing host to the Olympic Games.

Japan has expanded a coronavirus state of emergency to four more areas in addition to Tokyo on Friday following record spikes in infections as the capital hosts the Olympics.

Japanese officials have sounded the alarm as Tokyo reported record-breaking coronavirus cases for the third straight day with the Olympics well underway.

Tokyo has reported 3,177 new coronavirus cases, setting an all-time high and exceeding 3,000 for the first time days after the start of the Olympics.

How are we to judge the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics when they wrap up in two weeks.

The Tokyo Olympics are going ahead despite opposition from many quarters inside Japan, and politics are everywhere.

IOC President Thomas Bach got a mixed reception in his visit to Hiroshima to mark the first day of the so-called Olympic Truce.

New daily coronavirus cases have surged above 1,300 in Tokyo, a six-month high, as fears rise of a possible dramatic increase that could flood hospitals during the Olympics that start in eight days.

Japan is famous for running on consensus.

South Korea has set a new high in daily coronavirus cases for the third straight day as officials prepare to enforce the strongest social distancing restrictions in the greater capital area where transmission have surged following months of complacency.

New COVID-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.

One of Serbia’s five-member rowing team tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Japan, an official said Sunday. This is the third visiting Olympian to test positive for the virus ahead of the games, which are set to begin later this month. Why it matters: Japan's government has faced heavy criticism for deciding to host the Olympic Games in spite of rising cases. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.A member of Uganda's Olympic team tested positive on a

Voters in Japan’s capital are electing the Tokyo city assembly amid worries about health risks during the Olympics, opening in three weeks, as coronavirus cases continue to rise. In Sunday’s balloting, 271 candidates are vying for 127 seats. Exit polls by public broadcaster NHK TV showed a tight race between Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike's Tomin First party and the ruling Liberal Democrats, the party of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

The president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee has repeated that banning fans from venues is still an option with the games opening in just three weeks.

As much of the world still awaits vaccine supply, the delta variant is tearing through unvaccinated populations everywhere from Britain to the United States to South Africa.

Health officials in Los Angeles County are recommending, but not making mandatory that people wear masks indoors in public places regardless of their vaccination status.

The delayed Summer Games are set to kick off in one month, but they won't look or sound like any Olympics that have come before.

Anti-government protesters have taken to the streets in cities across Brazil as the nation’s confirmed death toll from COVID-19 soared past half a million.

Japan has announced the easing of a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and six other areas from next week, with new daily cases falling just as the country begins final preparations for the Olympics starting in just over a month.

Public sentiment in Japan has been generally opposed to holding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics partly based on fears the coronavirus will spike as almost 100,000 people enter for both events.

The IOC vice president in charge of the Tokyo Olympics says the games will open in just over two months even if the city and other parts of Japan are under a state of emergency because of rising COVID-19 cases.

IOC President Thomas Bach has offered to have more medical personnel available to help out during the Tokyo Olympics when they open in nine weeks.

Japan is further expanding a coronavirus state of emergency from six areas, including Tokyo, to nine as the government repeated its determination to hold the Olympics in just over two months.

The president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee says it would be “quite tough” for IOC President Thomas Bach to make a planned visit this month to Japan with a state of emergency order being extended by the government to Tokyo and other areas until May 31.

Japanese residents with tickets to the Tokyo Olympics may not know until weeks before the games open if they’ll be allowed to attend.

India reported another record daily surge in coronavirus infections to pass Brazil as the country with the second-most reported infections since the pandemic began.

Australian authorities have identified a second case of a rare blot clot likely linked to the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.

Tokyo has adopted tougher measures against the coronavirus as Japanese authorities struggle to curb the spread of a more contagious variant ahead of the Olympics in a country where less than 1% of people have been vaccinated.

Japan says it will raise the coronavirus alert level in Tokyo to allow tougher measures to curb the rapid spread of a more contagious variant ahead of the Summer Olympics.

Japan is set to strengthen anti-virus measures in Tokyo on Friday to curb the rapid spread of a more contagious coronavirus variant just three months before the Olympics begin in the capital where most people are not yet vaccinated.

The torch relay for the postponed Tokyo Olympics began its 121-day journey across Japan on Thursday and is headed toward the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23. (Philip Fong/Pool Photo via AP)TOKYO – The torch relay for the postponed Tokyo Olympics began its 121-day journey across Japan on Thursday and is headed toward the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23. "When you become my age, this is the last Tokyo Olympics and it’s here. "The Olympic torch relay starting from today is a valuable opportunity for the people to get a real sense of the Olympics and Paralympics that are approaching,” Suga told reporters. Local organizers and the International Olympic Committee hope the relay will turn public opinion in Japan in favor of the Olympics.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, on a screen, delivers an opening speech while Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee President Seiko Hashimoto listens at a five-party meeting of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games with International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and Japanese Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa in Tokyo Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Yoshikazu Tsuno/Pool Photo via AP)TOKYO – At last it’s official after countless unsourced news reports and rumors: spectators from abroad will be barred from the postponed Tokyo Olympics when they open in four months. The decision was announced Saturday after an online meeting of the International Olympic Committee, the Japanese government, the Tokyo government, the International Paralympic Committee, and local organizers. Several surveys have shown that up to 80% oppose holding the Olympics, and a similar percentage opposed fans from overseas attending.

(AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)LAS VEGAS — The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is changing course and now plans in-person spring graduation ceremonies in May as the coronavirus outbreak slows. UNLV President Keith Whitfield on Friday announced the change from plans announced in February to hold graduation virtually. ___LONDON — The U.K. says half of the country’s adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. AdThe government on Saturday reported cases topping the previous record in June. AdJust one third of Italy’s 7.3 million vaccine doses administered so far have gone to people in that age group.

Tokyo Olympics creative director Hiroshi Sasaki is resigning after making demeaning the comments. (Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool Photo via AP)TOKYO – In yet another setback for the postponed Tokyo Olympics — and another involving comments about women — games' creative director Hiroshi Sasaki resigned on Thursday after making demeaning comments about a well-known female celebrity in Japan. The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to open in just over four months, dogged by the coronavirus pandemic, record costs, and numerous scandals. When the International Olympic Committee awarded Japan the games 7 1/2 years ago, Tokyo billed itself as “a safe pair of hands.” It has evolved into anything but that. Two years ago, the head of the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda was also forced to step dow n in a bribery scandal connected to vote-buying involving IOC members.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike spoke Thursday after the World Health Organization labeled the spreading virus a "pandemic," a decision almost certain to affect the Tokyo Olympics. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)TOKYO – The Olympic torch relay is yet another hurdle for the postponed Tokyo Games. Olympic organizers are asking for restraint along the four-month route that will touch all 47 prefectures and involve 10,000 runners. The start of the torch relay on March 25 is also likely to be held without fans, according to local reports. The Olympic relay dates back to the 1936 Berlin Games.

This photo shows the opening remark session of a five-party meeting held by the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) at the Tokyo 2020 headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Du Xiaoyi/Pool Photo via AP)TOKYO – The postponed Tokyo Olympics look like they will take place without any fans from abroad when they open in just under five months. The report came just an hour before Tokyo organizers held “five-party” talks online with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the central government of Japan. The organizing committee has budgeted income of $800 million from ticket sales. Seiko Hashimoto, the new president of the organizing committee, cautioned on Tuesday of the problems that await.

It marked the first annual contraction for the country’s economy since 1998, when it was in the midst of a crippling financial crisis. In comparison, the federal government previously said 38% of people would receive two doses by the end of June. Still, that’s 700,000 doses on hand, when the state is getting 200,000 doses this week, rising to 223,000 next week. AdBharat Biotech has already signed an agreement with Brazil to supply 20 million doses of the vaccine by September. ___COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s mask mandate will continue until a “critical mass” has been reached of people who have received the coronavirus vaccine, a spokesperson for Ohio Gov.

TOKYO – The Tokyo Olympics made a symbolic gesture toward gender equality on Tuesday by appointing 12 women to the body’s executive board. The move was announced by CEO Toshiro Muto after an executive board meeting. AdHashimoto, a former Olympic bronze-medal winner in speedskating, promised when she took over to increase female participation in the body's executive board. The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee employs about 3,500 people but will be dissolved after the postponed Olympics take place. Hashimoto is scheduled to meet on Wednesday in a “five-party meeting” with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa.

She said she will skip an Olympic meeting next week with IOC President Thomas Bach, Mori and the national government. Most of its statement about Mori focused on how it says it has improved gender-equality in the Olympics over the last 25 years. Ad___MIZUHO FUKUSHIMA, head of the Social Democratic PartyOpposition leaders have been pressuring Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to convince Mori to step down. There are some unconfirmed reports in Japan that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could replace Mori. Mori got his job in 2014, when Abe was prime minister.

Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday as surging virus counts and China-U.S. tensions weighed on sentiment. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)TOKYO – Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday as surging virus counts and China-U.S. tensions weighed on sentiment. A move by the Trump administration to further sanction Chinese companies fueled unease over tensions between the two biggest economies. In U.S. trading, China Telecom gained 8.8% on Tuesday but lost 2.1% in after hours trading. The majority of big stocks in the S&P 500 notched gains, with oil producers leading the way as crude prices strengthened.

A man looks at a countdown calendar showing 200 day to start Tokyo 2020 Olympics Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Tokyo. The countdown clock for the postponed Tokyo Olympics hit 200 days to go on Monday. The countdown clock for the postponed Tokyo Olympics hit 200 days to go on Monday. A poll last month by national broadcaster NHK show 63% want the Olympics postponed or canceled. The official budget for the Tokyo Olympics was increased last month to $15.4 billion, an increase of $2.8 billion because of the delay.

(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)BANGKOK – Thailand has registered 745 new coronavirus cases, with a new death reported in Bangkok, where a semi-lockdown went into effect. The government has been considering tougher measures if the spread of the virus does not slow down around the country. The state on Monday reported its first 24-hour period without a new coronavirus infection being detected since Dec. 15. — Sri Lankan authorities say schools will partially reopen next week after being shut for nearly three months because of the coronavirus. It has reported 44,774 cases as of Sunday, including 213 fatalities.

Yuriko Koike is asking the national government to declare a “state of emergency” to curtail surging coronavirus infections. State health officials reported 12,563 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals on Sunday, an increase of more than 240 from Saturday. It was the sixth time in seven days that the state reported record-breaking hospitalizations. Intensive care units in several parts of the state were full or nearly full Sunday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Andrew Cuomo says the state has recorded more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.

The U.K. has reached a record of more than 57,000 daily coronavirus cases. The state reported 9,527 confirmed cases on New Year’s Day. Andrew Cuomo says the state has recorded more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. California started the new year on Friday with a record 585 coronavirus deaths in a single day. ___WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation has reported 266 confirmed coronavirus cases and seven more deaths.

(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)LAS VEGAS — Tens of thousands of people were walking on the casino-lined Las Vegas Strip on New Year’s Eve by early evening despite a plea from Nevada Gov. China on Friday reported a total of 19 new virus cases, including 10 that were brought from outside the country. ___LONDON — The coronavirus pandemic canceled London’s annual New Years’ Eve fireworks display, which usually draws tens of thousands of spectators. The nation’s most populated county has about 40% of California’s virus deaths. ___NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee ends the year ranked first in coronavirus cases per capita.

Tokyo The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has warned Americans of a "significant increase" in the number of coronavirus infections in Japan, and urged them to leave the country now unless they plan to stay indefinitely. People wearing face masks wait to cross a road on April 3, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. GettyThe U.S. State Department's current advisory for Japan stands at "Level 2," which calls on Americans to "exercise increased caution." Japan reported more than 650 new COVID-19 infections over the past three days, with the country's biggest jump happening April 2. Unless control measures are stepped-up, his modelling predicts new cases in Tokyo will peak at 6,000 per day.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will ban entry to foreigners from 73 countries and ask everyone arriving from abroad to quarantine themselves for two weeks as it struggles to contain the coronavirus, with a senior minister warning the country had been pushed to the brink. Fundamental responses should be made as early as today or tomorrow, Shigeru Omi, head of the Japan Community Healthcare Organisation, said. We are barely holding the line and remain at a critical point where virus cases could surge if we let down our guard, Abe told a parliamentary committee. Omi said that while Japan was not seeing an uncontrolled spike in cases now, more clusters of infections were being reported. A Bank of Japan poll showed the mood of industrial manufacturers at its most pessimistic for seven years.

If convenience stores and supermarkets stay open, people will stay calm, said Yuri Inoue, a 31-year-old graphic designer, who admitted to being a panic buyer. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike appealed for calm, while repeating her request to avoid public gatherings at the weekend. But I am saying you can go to supermarkets to buy food or medicines or go to hospitals, she told a city government meeting. Retail giants Takashimaya (8233.T) and Matsuya (8237.T) said they would shut department stores in the city on the weekend. The governor of Japans Osaka prefecture, Hirofumi Yoshimura, asked residents on Friday to refrain from making non-essential outings this weekend, Kyodo news reported, joining Tokyo.

Tokyo The Japanese capital registered 47 new coronavirus cases Thursday, its biggest single-day rise, as the metropolis of 13.9 million people prepares for a weekend indoors. The region is home to about 40 million people about a third of Japan's total population. People, some wearing face masks, walk through a park as they enjoy cherry blossom season on March 26, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. Compared to Manhattan, Milan or other big cities grappling with tens of thousands of cases, Japan's total of 2,000-plus infections about a third of them from the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship might seem insignificant. Commuters make their way to work on March 26, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.