Japan's government plans to lift a state of emergency for six prefectures at the end of February, while maintaining the measures for the Greater Tokyo Area.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has offered to cooperate with Japan on the disposal of diluted contaminated wastewater accumulating at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

But, Tokyo and its three neighbors will have to wait until 7 March.

Japan's daily tally of new coronavirus cases is steadily declining, but with the healthcare system still under stress, and mutated strains of the virus appearing in Japan, the government says it is too soon to lift the state of emergency in place for Tokyo, Osaka, and eight other prefectures.

For his birthday, Emperor Naruhito discussed a lot of things, from COVID-19 to Princess Aiko.

But, the real matter is, what will they do to curb COVID-19 infection if the state of emergency has been lifted?

The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo has declined, but government officials warn that the trend is bottoming out and that residents, particularly younger people, should not become complacent.

Some even called him selfish.

On the 22nd, the Nikkei Stock Average temporarily rose more than 400 yen from last week's closing price due to the spread of buying orders in the Tokyo stock market immediately after the start of trading. The Nikkei Stock Average had fallen for three consecutive business days until the end of last week, and there was a move to buy back stocks that had fallen in price.

A total of 152 people were arrested in 20 cases, including drug trafficking and possession of pistols.

Seiko Hashimoto is set to be the next president of the Tokyo Games' organizing committee. Will she take it?

Suga's administration will be brought under question after the members of his own party were found out violating the state of emergency.