Coronavirus outbreak update: Jan. 13, 2021

Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:

Few people are seen in Osaka's Shinsekai area on Jan. 12, 2021, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told executives of his ruling party the same day that he plans to expand a state of emergency declared over the coronavirus pandemic to cover Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures amid a resurgence of infections in western Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

As of 11 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 13

Indonesia began its coronavirus vaccination drive on Wednesday, with President Joko Widodo receiving his first shot of a Chinese-produced vaccine.
Japan's expanded state of emergency over the novel coronavirus pandemic is expected to dent consumer spending by more than 2 trillion yen ($19.3 billion) as the declaration could lift unemployment and cut sales at eateries and retailers, economists said.
The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan dropped to the lowest in 31 years in 2020, aided by government financial support amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, data released by a credit research company showed Wednesday.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in seven additional prefectures, including Osaka and Aichi, expanding the measure as Japan's cumulative total of coronavirus cases topped 300,000 amid a recent spike in infections.
Japan will suspend the entry of all nonresident foreign nationals into the country as part of its efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, government sources said Wednesday.
East Japan Railway Co. said Wednesday that last trains of the day will depart earlier for the time being in the Tokyo metropolitan area starting Jan. 20 to stem the spread of the resurgent coronavirus.
The United States will require from Jan. 26 all overseas travelers to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test result before they are permitted to board inbound flights, the government said Tuesday.
Residents of a southwestern Japan town have erected a giant straw scarecrow in the shape of a fierce-looking gorilla to encourage people to tough out the coronavirus pandemic.

As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 12

An expansion of Japan's latest state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic into three western prefectures is likely to decrease the country's economy by 2.1 trillion yen ($20.1 billion), or 0.4 percent of annual gross domestic product, according to an economist.
Japan plans to expand a state of emergency declared over the coronavirus pandemic to five additional prefectures beyond the Tokyo metropolitan area amid a resurgence of infections in those regions, government officials said Tuesday.
China has begun a second round of mass PCR testing in the capital of Hebei Province, local media said Tuesday, as the city near Beijing has been locked down after infections with the novel coronavirus were detected earlier this month.
The head of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee said Tuesday it is "absolutely impossible" to postpone this year's Summer Games again due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Domestic violence cases in Japan hit a record high of over 130,000 in fiscal 2020, with people more stressed and worried about life as the coronavirus pandemic forces them to spend more time at home, according to a government survey released Tuesday.
The government said Tuesday it will pay up to 400,000 yen ($3,800) to suppliers hit by plunging sales due to client restaurants and bars cutting opening hours under the fresh round of coronavirus emergency declared in Tokyo and its vicinity.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates on Tuesday agreed on the need to distribute coronavirus vaccines to developing countries in order to ensure the safety of this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, according to a person who sat in on their phone talks.
Two of eight games to open the 2021 Japan Rugby Top League season this weekend have been canceled after three of the teams involved confirmed positive coronavirus cases, the Japan Rugby Football Union said Tuesday.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga informed executives of his ruling party Tuesday he plans to expand a state of emergency declared over the coronavirus pandemic to cover Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures amid a resurgence of the virus in western Japan, party sources said.
With the coronavirus pandemic restricting human interaction, pet ownership has shot up in Japan as people hunger for companionship in stressful times.