月: 2021年6月

1. Coronavirus variants with the L452R mutation that were first detected in India are spreading at a fast pace n Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Wednesday confirmed 55 new cases of variants with the mutation. The daily figure is the second largest for infections by such variants and brings the total number of such cases in Japan’s capital to 349. 2. Recent figures show an alarming increase in suicides among women in Japan. This May, 603 women took their own lives, up 21% from the same month last year. The year-on-year figure has now risen for 12 consecutive months, a troubling trend that reflects the economic despair wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.
3. A human rights group in Myanmar says over 5,000 citizens are in detention as the military continues to suppress protests against the coup that toppled a civilian government. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says 6,421 people had been arrested as of Tuesday, and 5,224 of them are still in detention.

1. Rescue crews in Surfside, Florida have spent a fifth day digging through the rubble of a condo building that collapsed. They have confirmed that 11 people have died. They have not accounted for 150 others.
2. The United States says President Joe Biden will not attend the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. First Lady Jill Biden may lead the U.S. delegation.
3. The presidents of China and Russia have agreed to oppose interference in others’ internal affairs “under the guise of democracy and human rights.”

1. Rescue work continues at the site of the partial collapse of a condominium in the southern U.S. state of Florida. Nine people have been confirmed dead, and more than 150 others are unaccounted for. Rescue dogs and small cameras are being used to search for survivors. But the work has been hindered by occasional fires and smoke.
2. Wednesday will mark one year since China enacted a national security law for Hong Kong. The Chinese government has tightened strictures on freedom of speech and political activity, transforming a region once known for its free-wheeling attitude. The security law targets what Beijing defines as secessionism, subversion, acts of terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Hong Kong police say 114 people have been arrested on suspicion of violating the law.
3. South Africa has imposed new restrictions on people’s activities to stem a third wave of coronavirus infections caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant. President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a speech to the public on Sunday that the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which was first identified in India, is rapidly displacing the previously dominant Beta variant that was first identified in South Africa.

1. Rescue crews are searching for survivors after a condo building near Miami, Florida, collapsed. One person has been found dead. They have not been able to account for mor than 90 others. The building in the town of Surfside was 12 stories tall. Authorities believe most residents were asleep when part of the building collapsed on Thursday at about 1:30 a.m.
2. U.S. President Joe Biden has condemned China over the disclosure of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper. He stressed that the United States will continue to support the people of Hong Kong. 3. Anti-government protesters in Thailand have staged their first rally in several months to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

1. Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper has printed its final edition. The newspaper that many revered as a beacon of media freedom was forced to stop publishing after some of its assets were frozen. Senior staff were arrested for allegedly breaking China’s national security law imposed on the territory.
2. Japanese experts are warning of a possible resurgence of coronavirus infections in Tokyo, citing recent week-on-week increases in case numbers.
3. More than 17,500 people with dementia were reported missing in Japan last year—a record high for the country. The National Police Agency says 17,565 people diagnosed with or suspected of having dementia went missing in 2020. The figure increased from the previous year by 86, and has been rising since 2012.

1. People in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa are looking back at one of the deadliest battles of World War II, which occurred 76 years ago. The clash on the islands between the Japanese military and U.S. forces came to an end on June 23.
2.Wednesday marks one month before the Tokyo Olympic Games are scheduled to start. Uncertainties remain about spectator capacities, but preparations are under way to receive athletes from across the world. The Games will open on July 23, after one year of postponement due to the pandemic. 3. Japan’s Supreme Court has ruled that an article of the country’s civil code that says married couples must have the same surname does not violate the Constitution. The court’s issuance of the view was its second, following one in 2015.

1. Myanmar’s military leader has visited Russia in an apparent bid to tout the regime’s ties with the Kremlin.
2. A beauty pageant contestant from Myanmar has renewed her appeal for international support to put an end to military oppression in her country.
3. The United States has said it plans to continue talks to revive a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, despite the election of anti-U.S. hardliner Ebrahim Raisi as Iran’s next president.

1. Japan’s Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has indicated that the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will likely be held without spectators if a state of emergency is declared during the Games. 2. Iran’s top negotiator says he hopes nuclear talks with the United States can conclude during the current administration of President Hassan Rouhani.
3. One month has passed since a ceasefire came into effect between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But the security situation remains unstable, as the new Israeli government carried out air strikes in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip last week.

1. The head of the Japanese government’s advisory panel on the coronavirus and other volunteer experts have submitted their views on possible virus situations before, during and after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The experts have been warning that simulations show infections could pick up in July and August even if the vaccine rollout proceeds smoothly across Japan. They also warn that the virus resurgence could pick up speed due to more transmissible variants.
2. The Japanese government has decided to end the coronavirus state of emergency in most areas covered by it and replace it with focused restrictions. The challenge now is how to curb infections in the run-up to the Tokyo Olympics. The government decided to end the declaration on Sunday for nine of the 10 prefectures. Seven of the nine prefectures will then have rigorous restrictions involving focused steps through July 11.
3. Russian authorities say the Delta coronavirus variant, first detected in India, is spreading rapidly in the country amid a resurgence of cases.

1. A member of Myanmar’s national soccer team who appears set to file for political asylum in Japan says he fears for his life if he returns to his country.
2. Japan’s government is considering lifting the coronavirus state of emergency currently issued for 10 prefectures except Okinawa.
3.Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says people should stay vigilant for a possible rebound in coronavirus cases even after the state of emergency is lifted in most of the covered areas.