July 30, Friday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. The head of the Japanese government’s coronavirus advisory panel says he has warned Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide that the country is now facing the toughest situation since the pandemic began. Omi Shigeru made the comment to reporters on Friday after he met Suga to discuss antivirus measures. 2.Japan’s industrial output grew in June, surpassing levels seen before the coronavirus outbreak. Brisk growth in the auto and chip-making equipment sectors was a major factor. 3. Japan’s judo success continued on Friday with a ninth gold medal in the homegrown sport. That is seventh straight days of local Olympic champions at Nippon Budokan. 21-year-old Sone Akira won the women’s 78-kilo category, defeating Idalys Ortiz of Cuba. It’s Sone’s first Olympic Games.