Despite the prolonged emergency, the largely voluntary measures have become less effective as the exhausted public increasingly ignores them. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said serious cases remain high and are still overwhelming many hospitals.... He called on people to continue to work remotely and observe other social-distancing measures “ so that we can return to safe and prosperous daily lives.” The extension of the emergency will cover a period when Japan’s government will be in transitio

Advertisement Japan’s current state of emergency, declared in April, was repeatedly extended and expanded.... Shigeru Omi, the government’s top medical advisor, told reporters.... Advertisement The infection rate started to worsen in July and peaked in mid-August after the Tokyo Olympics, surging above 5, 000 daily cases in Tokyo alone and topping 25, 000 nationwide....

Advertisement Under the latest measures, most eateries are asked to close by 8 or 9 p.m., while large events can allow full capacity if they have anti-coronavirus plans.... “ It seems only eateries are targeted for restraints.” Some experts question the effectiveness of placing constraints only on eateries, noting that infections show no signs of slowing in the three prefectures that have already been subjected to the measures for nearly two weeks.... Tokyo’s main train station of Shinagawa wa

SEOUL— Japan considers the “ rising sun ” flag part of its history.... Called “ kyokujitsuki, ” this one has led to vehement protests from some of Japan’s neighbors. Both flags have been used for centuries.... But disputes about the flag with radiating rays date back to the early part of the 20th century....