Just a couple of days before the opening ceremony of Tokyo Games on Friday, the government seems to be struggling to ensure Covid restrictions are followed.In the wake of a fourth state of emergency declaration, many people across Japan seem to be flouting the rules.In Tokyo’s entertainment districts, some bars and restaurants still openly serve alcohol and open late in defiance of restrictions which ask them not to serve alcohol and to close by 8 p.m.In other cases, people find watering holes v

This April 25, 2021 file photo shows a night view of the Ginza area during a coronavirus state of emergency, in Chuo Ward, Tokyo.... People passing through the downtown area of Tokyo voiced various sentiments, including sympathy for the athletes, and that barring fans from the venues was inevitable.... On her way home from work in the Jimbocho district, home to many publishing companies, a 28-year-old clerk from Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward stopped short when she heard that a state of emergency would

First no Kai, or the Tokyoites First party, founded by Tokyo Gov.... " It is the ruling party's

The national ruling coalition parties--Suga's Liberal Democratic Party( LDP) and junior partner Komeito--failed together to win a majority in the Tokyo assembly.... The parties did not include anything in their assembly campaign promises about the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics issue, because of strong public sentiment against the games.... Instead, they pushed the story that the prime minister was speeding up vaccinations, and clung to the position that there would be fans in the stands for t

This June 24, 2021 photo taken from a Mainichi Shimbun helicopter shows the Tokyo Metropolitan Government headquarters.... The poll found that 12.1 percent favored Tomin First in the election.... The regional party currently holds the most number of seats with 46 of the chamber's 127 seats....

Yuriko Koike explains about the coronavirus infection situation in Tokyo after a monitoring meeting at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government headquarters on June 10, 2021.... Yuriko Koike, who was admitted to hospital in the capital last week due to severe fatigue, will remain hospitalized for a few more days, the metropolitan government said Sunday, less than a month before the Tokyo Olympics begin.... The metropolitan government last week said she will take time off from work for the duration of

Taimei Yamaguchi, the LDP's election strategy chief, gives an interview gives an interview on the Tokyo assembly election to a TV station on July 4, 2021, at the party headquarters in Tokyo.... Koike garnered a lot of sympathy votes.... It's like she single-handedly beat us," said a former Cabinet member in the LDP....

TOKYO( Reuters)-Tokyo area commuters faced packed trains on Friday on some lines due to delays, but there was little other impact after a strong quake rocked the Japanese capital late the night before, although authorities warned of aftershocks for up to a week.... One of the biggest commuter train stations, Shinagawa, lost power as well, forcing people into long lines for cabs as they tried to get home on Thursday night.... Several dozen people were injured, mainly by falls or being struck by

Yuriko Koike, as the leading force in the assembly and win a combined majority in the 127-seat chamber.... In pre-election strength, Tomin First, for which Koike now serves as special adviser, has 46 seats.... The central government-ruling LDP, headed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and its coalition partner Komeito hold the second and third most seats in the local assembly at 25 and 23 seats, respectively....

The ruling coalition in national politics aims to displace Tomin First no Kai, a regional party founded by Tokyo Gov.... Tomin First, for which Koike now serves as special adviser, holds the majority with 46 of the chamber's seats.... The central government-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, headed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and its coalition partner Komeito hold the second and third most seats in the local assembly, respectively....