Tokyo, 25 January, /AJMEDIA/
COVID quasi-emergency to cover 34 of Japan’s 47 prefs. amid Omicron
TOKYO – Japan will decide Tuesday to expand a COVID-19 quasi-state of emergency to 34 of the nation’s 47 prefectures with the addition of 18 more areas to stem the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Effective from Thursday to Feb. 20, the quasi-emergency is intended to reduce the strain on the health care system and prevent a shortage of essential workers that could result from a surge in infections and close contacts.
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U.S. puts up to 8,500 troops on high alert amid tension over Ukraine
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon said Monday it is putting up to 8,500 troops based in the United States on “heightened alert” for possible deployment to eastern Europe amid growing fears that Russia may further invade Ukraine.
“Even as we continue to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, we must also increase readiness,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a press conference, adding that the move is intended to support the forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and reassure allies, especially those located near Russia and Ukraine.
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U.S., Japan can confront common challenges together: envoy Emanuel
TOKYO – New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said Monday the United States and Japan can together “confront common challenges,” including “aggressive actions” that threaten the “democratic rules-based order.”
“Today we face a critical juncture. But our nations can confront common challenges, united in the belief about shared values, our shared interest and our shared goals,” Emanuel said in a video message posted on the U.S. ambassador’s official Twitter account, a day after arriving in Japan.
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Nissan alliance eyes 3 tril. yen investment to push electrification
TOKYO – A trilateral alliance involving Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. is planning to spend about 3 trillion yen ($26.3 billion) over the next five years to advance the electrification of its lineup, rolling out 30 new electric vehicle models by fiscal 2030, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
The alliance also including Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and French partner Renault SA will use common platforms and cooperate in procuring auto parts to reduce development costs for the new EVs as they seek a competitive edge over rival carmakers, the sources said.
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Japan eyes evacuating nationals in Ukraine amid military tensions
TOKYO – Japan is considering evacuating its nationals in Ukraine amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion, Japanese government sources said Monday, following such an order by the United States to family members of its embassy staff.
The Foreign Ministry warned against traveling to Ukraine for any purpose. Its second-highest Level 3 advisory, which previously covered parts of the Eastern European country, now applies to the whole of the nation.
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Japan’s largest business lobby calls for lifting foreigner entry ban
TOKYO – Japan’s largest business lobby on Monday called on the government to lift the entry ban on nonresident foreigners aimed at keeping the Omicron variant of the coronavirus at bay and preventing its spread now that domestic infections are mostly being caused by the highly transmissible strain.
Masakazu Tokura, chief of the Japan Business Federation, said at a regular press conference that nearly two months of border restrictions have only hampered domestic companies from making business trips and having smooth negotiations with foreign partners on tie-ups, merges and acquisitions.
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Japan political party to seek apology over ex-PM Kan’s “Hitler” tweet
OSAKA – The Japan Innovation Party said Monday it will seek an apology from another opposition party after one of its members, former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, likened the JIP’s founder to Adolf Hitler in a Twitter post.
“(Such comments) would not be allowed under international law. What sense of human rights does he have?” Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, who is deputy chief of the JIP, said to reporters. “He is a former prime minister and still holds a position of responsibility in the party. His remarks are taken seriously.”
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1st COVID-19 case detected among Beijing Olympics participants
BEIJING – The first positive case of COVID-19 has been detected in a Beijing Winter Olympics team member, the organizing committee said Monday, 11 days before the opening of the games.
The organizing committee did not identify the team member or their nationality but said the infection with the novel coronavirus was confirmed with a PCR test conducted Sunday at a Beijing airport.
