- The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Japan stood at 899 on Wednesday 18 March, with 29 people who lost their lives as a result of the disease.
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- Japan has decided to ask all travelers from Europe and Southeast Asia, to self-quarantine for 14 days in response to a surge in coronavirus cases there.The decision was made after a panel advising the government on Tuesday recommended asking travelers from Europe and Southeast Asia, including Japanese nationals, to self-quarantine for 14 days regardless of whether they have symptoms such as high fever or coughing.In addition, the Japanese government is considering an entry ban on foreign travelers from Iceland, some parts of Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
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- In policy recommendations submitted to the health ministry on Tuesday 17 March, the panel warned that Japan is seeing a growing number of “imported” cases of the COVID-19 disease.”Border measures need to be further enhanced,” Takaji Wakita, the panel’s chair and head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, said at a press conference.
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- The deputy head of Japan’s Olympic committee, Kozo Tashima, has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Japan Football Association (JFA) stated he had travelled to Britain, the Netherlands and the United States from late February to early March, and was confirmed as positive for the virus on Tuesday 17 March in the afternoon. “I had a small fever and after I’ve got checked it also looks like I have symptoms of pneumonia, but I’m doing fine” – Kozo Tashima
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- The positive test result of Mr. Tashima came after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that the G7 had agreed to support a “complete” Olympics.He has not answered questions about whether any of the leaders had brought up the possibility of postponement. Earlier on 14 March, he insisted that the games would proceed, but it is said that this week’s new statement of wanting to host a “complete” Tokyo 2020 could hint that the Olympics may be cancelled or delayed.
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- Meanwhile, domestic opinion polls show that most Japanese believe the games should be postponed. An Asahi newspaper poll published on Tuesday 17 March showed 63% of people across Japan said the games should be postponed, while 23% said they should be held as planned.A similar poll by Kyodo News published on Monday showed almost 70% of respondents did not think Tokyo will be able to host the gathering as planned.
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- Hospitals in Nagoya city in Japan’s industrial heartland have more coronavirus patients than they can treat, forcing transfers to nearby areas and offering a glimpse of the challenges the outbreak poses for a country with a huge elderly population.Japan has closed schools and cancelled public events, which experts say has helped prevent an explosive spread of the virus. But because testing hasn’t been widespread, some medical experts say the extent of infection is understated, and a surge could yet happen.A prefecture official has stated that if the numbers rise further, they won’t be able to cope, and will either have to ask nearby prefectures to help, or tell those with lighter symptoms to stay at home.Japan has been hospitalizing all patients who test positive for the virus, even if symptoms are slight, in line with its law on infectious diseases. But now, in some areas, patients with lighter symptoms are being asked to isolate at home.
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- Shares in Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp surged 15% on Wednesday after a Chinese official said an active ingredient of the company’s Avigan anti-flu drug appeared to help coronavirus patients recover.Avigan, also known as Favipiravir, is manufactured by a subsidiary of Fujifilm, which has a healthcare arm although it is better known for its cameras. The drug was approved for use in Japan in 2014.Favipiravir has been effective, with no obvious side-effects, in helping coronavirus patients recover, Zhang Xinmin, an official at China’s Science and Technology Ministry, told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday 17 March. But a Fujifilm spokesman said the company expects no direct earnings impact from potential sales growth of Favipiravir in China, at least for now, as its license for the key ingredient in the country already expired last year.
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