Sanford torch made in japan

OSAKA: For all the talk about how orderly, societally conscious and efficient Japan is, the country should be a shining example of how to get the coronavirus under control but remains a cautionary tale in the pandemic a year on. Just look at the endless waves of coronavirus plaguing it, including record-breaking new infection numbers reached just this past week, with 878 new cases in Osaka on Wednesday (Apr 7) and a positive test rate of 8.6 per cent, causing the prefecture to declare a state of medical emergency on the same day. Even Tokyo with its shocking 555 looks better off. Hospital resources are coming under strain with 90.8 per cent of Osaka’s ICU in use, and constraints on medical staff numbers limiting opening up more beds. READ: Commentary: Japan really needs to get cracking on coronavirus testing SOFT MEASURES Osaka city officials have been described as prescient when “quasi-emergency measures” went into effect just two days ago on Apr 5 in Osaka. … [Read more...] about Commentary: Japan’s slow-mo vaccination programme has a lot riding on it

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Friday (Saturday in Manila) gave his support to Japan’s efforts to hold a “safe and secure” Olympic Games this year after talk of cancellation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, meeting Biden as the US president’s first foreign guest, said his country was listening to experts and doing its “utmost” to prepare for the Tokyo Games. “They are doing everything possible to contain infection and to realize safe and secure games from scientific and objective perspectives,” Suga told a joint news conference. “I expressed my determination to realize the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as a symbol of global unity this summer, and President Biden once again expressed his support,” the prime minister added. A joint statement afterward said that Biden “supports Prime Minister Suga’s efforts to hold a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.” “Both leaders expressed their pride in the US and … [Read more...] about Biden backs Japan PM on holding ‘safe’ Tokyo Olympics

IMAGE: A man wears a protective mask amid the coronavirus outbreak in front of the giant Olympic rings in Tokyo. Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters A senior Japanese ruling party official said on Thursday that cancelling this year's Olympics in Tokyo remains an option if the coronavirus crisis becomes too dire, dropping a bomb on a hot-button issue and sending social media into a frenzy. The Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee responded with a statement saying all those involved in preparing for the Games remained fully focused on hosting them in the summer. "If it seems impossible (to host the Olympics) any more, then we have to stop it, decisively," Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said in comments to broadcaster TBS. Cancellation is 'of course' an option, he said, adding: "If the Olympics were to spread infection, then what are the Olympics for?" With Japan in the midst of a fourth wave of coronavirus infections, doubts over whether … [Read more...] about Are the Tokyo Olympics cancelled?

A senior Japanese ruling party official said cancelling this year's Olympics in Tokyo remains an option if the coronavirus crisis becomes too dire, as a fourth wave of infections surges less than 100 days from the planned start of the Games. "If it seems impossible to do it any more, then we have to stop, decisively," Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said in comments to broadcaster TBS . Cancellation is "of course" an option, Nikai said. "If the Olympics were to spread infection, then what are the Olympics for?" he added. 'GB on cusp of history with more women than men set to qualify' 100 days to go: Meet Sky Scholar Tokyo hopefuls Glover, Swann win gold at Euro Rowing Champs A key backer of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, party heavyweight Nikai is known for his frank comments, which come as many other ruling party lawmakers have avoided discussing the hot button issue of a possible cancellation. However, Games … [Read more...] about Olympic Games may yet be cancelled due COVID-19, says senior Japanese ruling party official