Coronavirus outbreak update: Dec. 12, 2020

As of 11 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12

• Japan confirmed record daily coronavirus cases of over 3,000 on Saturday as the country struggles to cope with a resurgence of infections, with Tokyo and several other prefectures reporting single-day records.
  
  
• The Japanese government is considering setting up an integrated database system to facilitate the prompt treatment of, and the development of vaccines for, infectious diseases such as COVID-19, government sources said Saturday.
  
  
• The U.S. drug regulator on Friday granted an emergency use authorization for Pfizer Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for the country that has suffered the world's highest numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths to begin a mass vaccination program.
  
  
• The number of bankruptcies in Japan's dining industry will likely hit an all-time high in 2020 as many establishments struggle to restore their cash flow amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the results of a recent survey showed.

As of 11 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11

• World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Friday he is positive the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will go ahead next summer although under "different circumstances" due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• The Japanese government's subcommittee on coronavirus countermeasures on Friday proposed a continued suspension of a domestic travel subsidy program in some parts of the country, where medical systems remain under strain due to a spike in infections.
  
  
• Kansai International Airport in western Japan started trial use Friday of a device that emits ultraviolet light to disinfect luggage carts, hoping it will make passengers feel safer amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• The Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga decided Friday to spend an additional 385.62 billion yen ($3.7 billion) in reserve funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic, using most of the sum to extend a controversial travel subsidy program.