Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Norihisa Tamura offered a possible explanation for the contaminating matter found in Moderna vaccines in the prefecture of Okinawa. He said that it was most likely the result of needles being incorrectly inserted into vials, resulting in pieces of rubber entering the vaccine. The health …
Read More »Moderna vaccinations halted in Japan’s Okinawa after ‘black substances’ found in vial, days after other batch of jab was suspended
Black substances were discovered in syringes and a vial, while unidentified pink substances were spotted in a different syringe with a Moderna vaccine dose, according to Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK. Okinawa’s government said in a statement on Sunday that it was suspending the use of Moderna vaccines after “foreign substances …
Read More »2 people die in Japan after receiving Moderna Covid-19 shots from batch that was withdrawn due to foreign material in some vials
The victims were men in their 30s, each of whom received their second Moderna doses from one of three manufacturing lots that were suspended on Thursday, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. An investigation into the cause of deaths is underway. Japan’s rollout of more than 1.63 million doses was …
Read More »1.6 million Moderna Covid vaccine doses pulled in Japan after foreign material found in some vials
The Health Ministry said on Thursday that it has withdrawn doses manufactured at the same production line following consultations with drug maker Takeda, which is in charge of sales and distribution of the vaccine in the country. Takeda asked Moderna to conduct an urgent investigation after foreign substances were found …
Read More »Japan issues highest emergency alert for over 1mn people as heavy rain ‘like never before’ triggers evacuations
The highest possible Level 5 “special” weather warning was issued for Saga, Nagasaki and Fukuoka prefectures in the country’s southwest on Saturday, as rains continue to batter parts of Japan. Earlier, the same warning was issued for the city of Hiroshima after several rivers running through the region were deemed …
Read More »Japan planned to withhold public announcement of ‘highly infectious’ Lambda Covid variant until after the Tokyo Olympics – media
On July 20, the country’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) reported the discovery to international virus database GISAID. But an unnamed researcher from the institute, the news outlet writes, claimed that it was decided to withhold releasing this information to the public – until after the Games. While the …
Read More »Japan to expand Covid emergency restrictions to 8 more regions, as Tokyo tallies record daily surge
Japan’s pandemic response chief, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, backed stepped up restrictions proposed during a meeting with experts on Thursday. While some of the experts suggested a nationwide emergency declaration due to the spike in cases, the minister said they ultimately agreed to expand restrictions in eight regions, for now. “The number …
Read More »Olympic Games hosts Japan show approval for Team GB’s Black Lives Matter kneeling campaign by joining in at women’s football match
Several members of the squad had spoken out about the importance of making the gesture before games in Tokyo, and the Japan players showed their approval by joining in and kneeling shortly before kick-off, while Arsenal forward Nikita Parris reportedly held up a fist. The gesture has continued to be a controversial …
Read More »US special forces veteran & son sentenced to prison in Japan for helping ex-Nissan executive Ghosn flee country
The veteran received a two-year sentence for his role in Ghosn’s escape, while his son was given 20 months behind bars. During their sentencing on Monday, Chief Judge Hideo Nirei said that the American father-son duo had helped Ghosn, who was accused of “serious” crimes, to “escape overseas.” “One year …
Read More »‘Who are the Olympics for?’ Japan football captain calls for fans to be allowed despite entire South Africa team being quarantined
The South Africa pair – Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi – and a video analyst are now isolating, with their country set to face hosts Japan on Thursday. Confirming the news, South Africa manager Mxolisi Sibam said: “Masha and Monyane reported high temperatures and positive saliva tests. They were then …
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