Japan to extend state of emergency Tuesday
Japan's current state of emergency will be extended from Tuesday in nine prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka.
The northern prefecture of Hokkaido confirmed 279 new infections on Monday.
That's the highest number reported in any prefecture, more than the figure in Tokyo.
Hokkaido also reported 19 deaths, its most ever for a single day.
Okinawa Prefecture in the south confirmed 142 new cases. It has reported more than 100 for 14 days in a row.
Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny said, "The situation in Okinawa is dire...more than a week into the state of emergency. Infections keep spreading as variants replace the original strain."
Japan to allow Pfizer vaccine for 12-year-olds
Japan's health ministry has decided to expand the use of US pharmaceutical company Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine in its public inoculation program to include children aged 12 to 15.
The vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, is one of those being used in the ministry's inoculation program.
The developers say they confirmed the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine in people aged 12 to 15 in clinical tests in the United States.
After receiving their data, the ministry decided last week to lower the age limit for the public inoculation program, and the government's advisory panel approved the plan on Monday.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has revised upward this year's projection for global economic growth. But it cut its outlook for Japan, citing a slow vaccine rollout and a resurgence of infections.
Japan, US pledge to strengthen alliance
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and the new head of the US Indo-Pacific Command have confirmed that the two countries will further strengthen their alliance for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Suga held talks with Admiral John Aquilino for about 10 minutes in Tokyo on Tuesday. The commander is visiting Japan for the first time since he assumed the post on April 30.
Suga said the US Indo-Pacific Command plays a very important role, and that its contributions are highly valued.
He also said he built a trustful relationship with President Joe Biden when he visited Washington in April, and that they agreed to step up the Japan-US alliance.
Japan to start office and university vaccinations
Japan's top government spokesman has announced plans to launch coronavirus vaccinations at workplaces and universities in order to speed up the rollout.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu told reporters on Tuesday that vaccinations at these venues will start from June 21. He added that the move is designed to reduce the burden on municipalities and speed up the vaccine program.
Japan's vaccine rollout first targeted healthcare workers. Vaccine shots are now being given to elderly citizens.
Kato indicated that municipalities will be able to start vaccinations at workplaces and campuses after completing inoculations of the elderly.