2019 coronavirus disease information

This page hosts a collection of information useful to Akita JETs regarding COVID-19 (the 2019 coronavirus disease; JPN: 新型コロナウイルス感染症; shingata koronauirusu kansenshō), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (the 2019 novel coronavirus; JPN: 新型コロナウイルス; shingata koronauirusu), during the coronavirus pandemic (JPN: コロナ禍; korona-ka).

Attention (COVID-19 cases in Akita): COVID-19 case numbers are reported as prefectural weekly averages. The weekly average number of cases is published every Thursday. For more information, see this section on this page.

(Note: The information on this page has been gathered/translated by members of the Akita JET community. The content should not be considered official, nor can its accuracy or up-to-dateness be guaranteed.)

Symptoms of COVID-19

See also: #Severity levels of symptoms section on this page for a description of the levels of symptoms used in case reporting.

Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 may display some or all of the following symptoms:

• Cold symptoms and/or fever above 37.5°C (99.5°F) which lasts for 4 days or more (2 days or more for the elderly or those with preexisting health conditions)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue/weariness
• Loss of smell/taste

These symptoms may take several days (up to two weeks) to appear in individuals after time of infection. Infected individuals are considered to be contagious even during this incubation period.

A majority of individuals (as high as 80%) may not show any symptoms, or may display only slight symptoms. Even in such cases, such individuals should be considered contagious.

Pre-existing conditions put individuals at a higher risk of developing severe or life-threatening symptoms in the event of infection.

MHLW 13 High-risk Symptoms (28 April, 2020)

NOTE: as #SARS-CoV-2 variants evolve, the symptoms they cause may change; the information in this section was published before the spread of variants such as Delta and Omicron.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare published a list of 13 High-risk Symptoms on 28 April, 2020. An individual with any one of these symptoms (without an alternative condition which explains it) should be considered at high risk of having contracted COVID-19 and should consult their local COVID-19 consultation center immediately.

Expression/Outward appearance

1. Looking extremely pale
2. Lips turn purple
3. Acting different than usual / appear strange

   Difficulty with breathing, etc.

4. Breathing has become rough (number of breaths increase)
5. Sudden difficulty breathing
6. Difficulty breathing after short periods of movement in daily life
7. Pain in the chest
8. Can't lay down / can't breathe unless sitting
9. Breathing with the shoulders
10. Begin wheezing abruptly (within about 2 hours between spurts)

    Sense of awareness, etc.

11. Acting absentmindedly (responses weak)
12. In a haze (no replies)
13. Irregular pulse, skipping beats

Spread of COVID-19 (Clusters and the Three Cs)

Attention: As of the reclassification of COVID-19 to Category 5 on 8 May, 2023, persons in close contact (濃厚接触者; nōkō sesshokusha; i.e. "suspect cases") are no longer designated by health care centers.

The primary method of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Japan is through the tracking and isolating of confirmed cases and suspect cases. By isolating these individuals, and by confirming the routes of transmission, Japanese authorities attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

• Confirmed Case: someone who has PCR-tested positive for COVID-19
• Suspect Case: someone who has been in close contact (濃厚接触者; nōkō sesshokusha) with a confirmed case

The formation of clusters is one of the largest disruptions to this method of tracking and isolating. Some carriers of SARS-CoV-2 are more contagious than others. A cluster refers to a situation where a single, highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 carrier spreads the virus to multiple people in the same setting in a short time span. Tracking the route of infection refers to identifying which highly contagious carrier a new confirmed case received the infection from. The concept of clusters was initially brought to public attention when they were formed in night clubs and eateries.

The concept of clusters eventually lead to the concept of the Three Cs, (３つの密 or ３密; mittsu no mitsu or sanmitsu in Japanese). Each of the Three Cs describes a situation or condition in which the spread of viruses is more probable. The presence of any one of these Three Cs increases the likelihood of virus transmission. However the probability of virus transmission is at its highest when the conditions of all Three Cs overlap in the same setting; it is these settings which must be avoided if the spread of COVID-19 is to be curbed.

Because of the time lag (up to 2 weeks) between when a person gets infected with the virus and when they display symptoms, it is impossible to know at the time if one has been in close contact with a highly contagious carrier. That is why it is recommended to avoid Three Cs situations at all times, even if everyone present appears healthy.

The Three Cs are the following:

Closed Spaces (密閉空間)

Closed spaces with poor ventilation (密閉空間; mippei kūkan)

Any place where the air inside stays inside. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Apartments
• Rooms in a house
• Offices
• Theaters, clubs, restaurants, etc.

(The adverse effects of these places can be mitigated in part by keeping doors/windows open, running ventilators, etc.)

Crowded Places (密集場所)

Crowded places with many people nearby (密集場所; misshū basho)

Any place with large numbers of people present. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Parks
• Offices
• Classrooms
• Theaters, clubs, restaurants, etc.

(The adverse effects of these places can be mitigated in part by maintaining distance from others, etc.)

Close-contact Settings (密接場面)

Close-contact settings such as close-range conversations (密接場面; missetsu bamen)

Any setting which two or more people are actively engaged with each other. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Conversations
• Singing karaoke
• Meetings
• Classes
• Meals (taken by 2 or more people)

(The adverse effects of these settings can be mitigated in part by wearing a facemask, not touching your face, not sharing objects, disinfecting those objects which you must share, etc.)

"5 Situations" that increase the risk of infection (MHLW)

感染リスクが高まる「５つの場面」

External link: MHLW 5 situations pdf file (Japanese, .pdf file)

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has highlighted five situations which increase the risk of infection of COVID-19. The five situations are as follows:

1. Social gatherings with drinking alcohol
   • Drinking alcohol improves mood and at the same time decreases attention. In addition, hearing is dulled and it leads to speaking in a louder voice.
   • The risk of infection increases when large numbers of people are in a small space for a long time.
   • In addition, sharing glasses and chopsticks increases the risk of infection.
2. Long feasts in large groups
   • Long-term meals, dinner receptions, drinking alcohol at night increase the risk of infection compared to a short meal.
   • The risk of infection is increased by eating and drinking in a large group of people, for example, 5 or more people, because in groups you have to talk louder and droplets of saliva spread more often.
3. Conversation without a mask
   • Talking at close range without a mask increases the risk of airborne or micro-droplet infection.
   • Cases of infection without masks were observed during gatherings in karaoke machines.
   • Please be careful when traveling by car or bus.
4. Living together in a small limited space
   • Living together in a small limited space increases the risk of infection because the enclosed space is shared by several people for a long time.
   • There have been reports of suspected infections in common areas such as dormitory bedrooms and bathrooms.
5. Switching locations
   • When you move to another location, such as when you take a break in a workplace, the risk of infection may increase due to the feeling of relaxation and changes of the environment.
   • Suspicious cases of infection were identified in breaking rooms, smoking areas and changing rooms.

Methods to prevent the spread of infection

Individual actions which you can take to prevent infection and spread of COVID-19

10 Points to Reduce Contact by 80% (MHLW; 22 April, 2020)

人との接触を８割減らす、１０のポイント

External link: MHLW 10 Points page (Japanese)

The prime minister has stated that contact between people must be reduced by "70% at an absolute minimum; 80% at the utmost."

MHLW has offered the following 10 points as guidelines to achieve this:

1. Use video calling for virtual trips to family

   ビデオ通話でオンライン帰省

   (Bideo tsūwa de onrain kisei)

2. Shopping at the supermarket should be done alone, or in small numbers, at uncrowded times

   スーパーは１人または少人数で すいている時間に

   (Sūpā wa hitori mata wa shōninzū de suiteiru jikan ni)

3. Jogging should be done in small numbers; select times and places which are uncrowded

   ジョギングは少人数で 公園はすいた時間、場所を選ぶ

   (Jogingu wa shōninzū de; kōen wa suita jikan, basho wo erabu)

4. Use online shopping for anything which you can wait for

   待てる買い物は通販で

   (Materu kaimono wa tsūhan de)

5. Have online drinking parties (i.e. "Virtual Happy Hour")

   飲み会はオンラインで

   (Nomikai wa onrain de)

6. Receive remote diagnosis for medical conditions

   診療は遠隔診療

   (Shinryō wa enkaku shinryō)

   • Manage the interval between regular check-ups

   定期受診は間隔を調整

   (Teiki jushin wa kankaku wo chōsei)

7. Use video at home for weightlifting or yoga

   筋トレやヨガは自宅で動画を活用

   (Kintore ya yoga wa jitaku de dōga wo katsuyō)

8. For meals, order take-out or delivery

   飲食は持ち帰り、宅配も

   (Inshoku wa mochikaeri, takuhai mo)

9. Utilize teleworking for work duties

   仕事は在宅勤務

   (Shigoto wa zaitaku kinmu)

   • Attending work should be for maintaining social functions, such as the fields of medicine, infrastructure, transport of goods, etc.

   通勤は医療・インフラ・物流など社会機能維持のために

   (Tsūkin wa iryō, infura, butsuryū nado shakai kinō iji no tame ni)

10. Wear a mask at all times during conversations

    会話はマスクをつけて

    (Kaiwa wa masuku wo tsukete)

MHLW's "New Lifestyle" (4 May, 2020)

External link: MHLW New Lifestyle page (Japanese)

1. Basic preventative measures for individuals

   The three prevention basics: 1) maintain physical distance, 2) wear a mask, 3) wash hands

   • Keep a distance of 2 meters from other people if possible (a minimum of 1 meter if not).
   • When going out to socialize, choose outside rather than inside.
   • When engaging in conversation, avoid being directly in front of one another as much as possible.
   • When leaving the house, when inside, or when having a conversation, wear a mask at all times, regardless of whether or not you have symptoms.
   • Upon returning home, wash your hands and face first thing. If possible, change clothes and shower right away.
   • Wash hands for 30 seconds, thoroughly with soap and water (use of disinfectant also is okay).

   Be extra cautious of your health when meeting those at a high risk of developing severe symptoms, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions.

   Preventative measures concerning movement

   • Avoid movement from and movement to areas which have a high number of COVID-19 cases.
   • Avoid returning to family homes and travel. Travel on business only when absolutely necessary.
   • Keep a list of who you've met and where you've met them for reference in case you develop symptoms.
   • Pay attention to the state of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in your area.

2. Basic lifestyle pattern for carrying on daily life

   • Wash hands/disinfect often.
   • Observe coughing etiquette faithfully.
   • Ventilate frequently.
   • Maintain distance from others.
   • Avoid the 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact situations).
   • Take your temperature every morning to observe your health. If you have a fever or cold-like symptoms, don't exert yourself; stay home and recover.

3. Lifestyle patterns for specific, everyday situations

   Shopping

   • Shop online.
   • Shop alone, or in small numbers, at uncrowded times.
   • Use electronic payments.
   • Make a shopping plan ahead of time and conclude it quickly.
   • Avoid touching free samples or display models.
   • When lining up at the register, leave a space between those in front of and behind you.

   Leisure, sports, etc.

   • At parks, choose uncrowded times and places.
   • Do muscle training or yoga at home with video.
   • Jog in small numbers.
   • When passing other joggers, obey distancing etiquette.
   • Make reservations with extra leeway.
   • Don't spend long times in small rooms.
   • Songs and cheers should be done at a distance or online.

   Using public transport

   • Limit conversations.
   • Avoid crowded times.
   • Combine with walking and riding a bike.

   Meals

   • Order take-out, home catering, or delivery.
   • Enjoy outdoor seating.
   • Avoid large, communal plates; everyone should have their own portion.
   • Sit next to each other, not face-to-face.
   • Focus on eating; avoid speaking.
   • Avoid drinking out of the same bottle, glass, sake cup, etc.

   Ceremonial family gatherings (weddings, funerals, etc.)

   • Avoid dining in large numbers.
   • Do not attend if you have a fever or cold-like symptoms.

4. A new style of work

   • Teleworking; or attending work on a rotation schedule
   • Staggered work start times with leeway
   • Expansive office spaces
   • Online meetings
   • Online business card exchanges
   • Ventilation and masks for meetings in person

General Precautions

Wear a mask

MHLW pamphlet on mask wearing (current as of 19 October, 2022)

Note: MHLW has amended their mask usage guidelines such that, starting on 13 March, 2023, mask usage will not be mandatory, but rather left up to the decision of the individual. Nevertheless, mask usage is an effective method of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases

• Indoors

Masks required (in crowded areas)

(Masks not required when you are not talking with others, and not at close range - i.e. approximately 2 meters or less)

• Outdoors

Masks not required

(However, masks are required when talking with others at close range - i.e. approximately 2 meters or less)

• Points concerning wearing a mask

1. Faithfully follow all rules concerning mask wearing of any venues you visit, regardless of the guideless listed above
2. Masks should be nonwoven (disposable)
3. Dispose of disposable masks after a single use
4. Ensure both your nose and mouth are covered

When NOT wearing a mask, the risk of spreading the Omicron variant is almost 100% (over a 15-minute conversation at a distance of 1 meter)

Wash/disinfect hands

• Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing ABC)
• Remove rings and watches before washing
• Make sure to thoroughly wash places where dirt can easily remain:

• Finger tips
• Between fingers
• Around the thumb
• Wrist
• Wrinkles on hand

• Dry your hands with a personal hand towel or handkerchief, or with a disposable paper towel
• Use disinfectant after washing
• Wash your hands every time:

• after you come in from outside
• after you use the bathroom
• after classes
• before eating
• after every situation:

• with many people (i.e. group meetings), or
• when you are in close contact with a few people (i.e. meeting with your HRT/JTE to discuss lessons)

Observe coughing/sneezing etiquette

• DO:

• Cough/sneeze into a mask
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue/handkerchief when coughing/sneezing (if you don't have a mask)
• Cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow or forearm (for sudden sneezes/coughs)

• DO NOT:

• Cough/sneeze without shielding your mouth or nose
• Cough/sneeze into your hands

• Observe these rules at all times, but especially:

• on public transport
• at work/school
• in situations/places where people gather

Social Distancing

• When out in public for unavoidable reasons, maintain a distance of 2 meters (6 feet) from others

When at a distance of only 1 meter or less, the risk of spreading the Omicron variant (over a 15-minute conversation):

• is almost 100% if not wearing a mask
• is still about 10% even when wearing a mask properly

Avoid the "Three C's"

(３つの密; mittsu no mitsu in Japanese)

1. Closed spaces with poor ventilation (密閉; mippei)
2. Crowded places with many people nearby (密集; misshū)
3. Close-contact settings such as close-range conversations (密接; missetsu)

• The risk of infection is especially high when these "Three C's" overlap

Live a healthy lifestyle

• Lead a regular lifestyle
• Get enough rest
• Eat a balanced diet
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Exercise regularly
• Keep your living/work space humid and well ventilated wherever possible

Self-quarantine

(Also referred to as "sheltering in place;" 不要不急の外出自粛 fuyōfukyū no gaishutsu jishuku in Japanese)

(Such extreme measures like this are no longer generally counted among "basic preventative measures")

• Don't leave the house unless you have an unavoidable reason, such as:

• going to work
• shopping for groceries/essentials
• seeking medical attention (any illness or injury)
• getting fresh air (going for a walk in the park, etc.)

• Avoid events, hangouts, parties, house visits, etc. where people gather
• Avoid travelling (to anywhere, but especially to regions with high numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases)
• Avoid receiving visitors to your house (anyone who does not live at your address)

Note: this section concerns sheltering in place/self-quarantining as a purely preventative measure. If you test positive for COVID-19, you are encouraged to quarantine at home for at least five days from the onset of symptoms, and until 24 hours pass after the alleviation of symptoms. You are further encouraged to avoid meeting or interacting with those at high risk, such as the elderly or those with preexisting conditions, for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Classification under the Infectious Diseases Law

COVID-19 is designated as an infectious disease under Japan's Infectious Diseases Law (感染症の予防及び感染症の患者に対する医療に関する法律; Kansenshō no Yobō oyobi Kansenshō no Kanja nitaisuru Iryō nikansuru Hōritsu; the "Law Concerning the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and the Medical Care Provided to Patients with Infectious Diseases"; or 感染症法, Kansenshōhō, for short). Viral and bacterial infections are both covered under this law. The full text of the law can be viewed here (Japanese only).

Under the Infectious Diseases Law, infectious diseases in Japan are assigned to categories according to severity based on factors such as how quickly each disease spreads and how likely patients with each disease are to develop severe symptoms. The categories range from "Category 5" (五類; gorui; least severe) to "Category 1" (一類; ichirui; most severe). Each of the categories carries with it a set of associated countermeasures within the legal framework to be enacted by medical and social services to prevent their spread.

On 8 May, 2023, the Japanese national government downgraded COVID-19 from "Category 2-equivalent" to "Category 5," based on such factors as the reduced severity of symptoms associated with the Omicron subvariant strains, which have largely replaced all other subvariant strains both in Japan and worldwide (source). Among other effects, the downgrade to Category 5 prevents national and local authorities from issuing declarations of state of emergency or quasi-state of emergency, even if COVID-19 case numbers spike again (source). For more information on Akita Prefecture's response to the reclassification, see this notice from Akita Prefecture. MHLW updated its mask usage policy on 13 April, 2023, ahead of the reclassification of COVID-19 to Category 5.

Note that up until 7 May, 2023, COVID-19 had a special designation under the Infectious Diseases Law outside of the standard five categories. It was considered "Category 2-equivalent" with regard to speed of spread and severity of symptoms, although the countermeasures to be enacted were more thorough than standard Category 2 diseases.

MHLW mask usage guidelines (13 March, 2023)

Information in this section has been gathered from this MHLW page regarding mask usage.

Be aware that specific venues or facilities may have policies in place that contradict the MHLW guidelines (by requiring mask usage, etc.). The specific policies of each venue take precedence over the MHLW guidelines in such a case and care should be taken that they are complied with accordingly.

Starting 13 March, 2023

(published 10 February, 2023)

Starting on 13 March, 2023, the decision to use a mask or not will in general be left up to the individual.

Take care to respect the autonomous decisions of others and not to force the wearing or removal of a mask against anyone's will.

However, please be cautious in the following situations:

• Preventing spread of infection to others around you

Please consider wearing a mask when visiting a medical or care facility, or when riding buses or trains during crowded times (such as rush hour)

• Protecting yourself from infection

Wearing a mask is effective for those at elevated risk of infection (the elderly, those with preexisting conditions, those who are pregnant, etc.) when visiting crowded places during times of high spread of infection

Up to 12 March, 2023

Please wear and/or remove masks appropriately according to the situation.

• Outdoors

Regardless of season, mask usage is not necessitated (though please wear mask when speaking in close proximity with others!)

When just passing others, like when walking or cycling to work, mask usage is not necessary

When speaking over an appropriate distance (2 meters or more), mask usage is not necessary

• Indoors

Please wear a mask, excepting only in situations where you can maintain distance from others and hardly have any conversations

Reclassification of COVID-19 (8 May, 2023)

See also: Notice from Akita Prefecture "COVID-19 to be Reclassified as Category 5" (8 May, 2023)

This table lists some of the changes that occurred when COVID-19 was reclassified as a Category 5 disease.

	Category 2-equivalent (up to 7 May, 2023)	→	Category 5 (current)
Restrictions on activities	Possible	→	Not possible (effectively abolishing the cautionary levels system)
Case number reporting	Daily reporting of cases from all institutions	→	Weekly reporting of cases from only a set number of institutions([source1][source 2])
Mask usage	Recommended indoors	→	Up to the individual (took effect 13 March, 2023 [source 1][source 2])
Events with loud cheering	50% capacity	→	100% capacity if measures in place (eased in advance)
Vaccines	Free	→	No cost for necessary inoculations (As of 1 April, 2024, cost of inoculations is to be borne by the individual.)
Hospitalization	At designated institutions for infectious diseases or prefecturally designated institutions	→	Incremental change toward availability at a wide range of institutions
Physician consultations	Generally only at fever outpatient services with measures in place
Medical expenses	Fully subsidized by public funds	→	For the time being, fully subsidized by public funds (As of 1 April, 2024, standard percentage of medical expenses to be borne by the individual.)

Source: NHK (27 Jan, 2023 and 28 Jan, 2023)

Renaming of COVID-19 in Japanese

The Japanese national government was also considering a plan to change the official name of COVID-19 in Japanese under Japanese law concurrent with its reclassification to Category 5. Under the plan, the current name 新型コロナウイルス感染症 (shingata koronauirusu kansenshō; "Novel Coronavirus Disease") would be discontinued and replaced with the new name コロナウイルス感染症２０１９ (koronauirusu kansenshō nisenjūkyū; "Coronavirus Disease 2019")(source). This change would bring it closer to the English naming convention "COVID-19" (from "Coronavirus Disease 2019).

However, as of the current time, the new name is not in widespread use in Japan.

The new name in Japanese would, presumably, be shortened to コロナ2019 (korona nisenjūkyū; "Corona 2019"). This change would also, presumably, have no impact on any English naming conventions of COVID-19 within Japan.

Infectious diseases and their classifications under the Infectious Diseases Law

(note: the information in this table is not exhaustive; it only reflects a portion of the content contained within the law)

	Special designation	Category 1	Category 2	Category 3	Category 4	Category 5
Designated diseases	COVID-19 (until 7 May, 2023)	Ebola, plague, smallpox, Lassa fever, etc.	Tuberculosis, SARS, Avian flu (H5N1), etc.	Cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, etc.	Yellow fever, malaria, monkeypox, etc.	COVID-19 (current), seasonal influenza, chlamydia, syphilis, etc.
Classification method	National ordinance	Law	Law	Law	Law, national ordinance	Law, ministerial ordinance
Measures apply to suspected cases	Yes	Yes	Yes (by national ordinance only)	No	No	No
Measures apply to asymptomatic cases	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Diagnosis/death reported by doctors	Yes (immediately)	Yes (immediately)	Yes (immediately)	Yes (immediately)	Yes (immediately)	Yes (within 7 days)
Work restrictions	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Hospitalization recommendations and measures	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Sample collection/disposal	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Disinfecting of infected places	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Facility closures, travel restrictions	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Health reports, self-quarantine requests	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Prefecture-level development reports	Yes	No	No	No	No	No

Akita Prefectural COVID-19 Cautionary Levels

The Akita Prefectural Cautionary Levels system has been abolished as of the reclassification of COVID-19 to Category 5 on 8 May, 2023.

See the (now defunct) COVID-19 Akita Prefectural Cautionary Levels template page and corresponding discussion page on this wiki for historic changes in cautionary level(s) across the prefecture:

• 【All areas】SYSTEM ABOLISHED

(cautionary levels system abolished on 8 May, 2023) (edit)

Hospital bed usage

Information on COVID-19 hospital bed usage, a statistic which previous cautionary level systems had as a criteria, is listed in this subsection. This COVID-19 hospital bed system was abolished on 1 April, 2024. COVID-19 inpatients are no longer distinguished from general inpatients with regard to hospital bed usage.

Historical hospital bed usage rates can be viewed on this website.

• NHK webpage

(left column is general COVID-19 bed usage, right column is severe COVID-19 bed usage. Click 推移を表示; suii wo hyōji, "show change" under the entries for 秋田県 to view the historical rates)

The data from NHK's historical bed usage rate webpage has been revisualized into the table below. It is current as of the week of 10 May, 2023.

Graph

Fourth system (7 Dec, 2022 ~ 7 May, 2023)

As of 7 December, 2022, Akita Prefecture has updated their prefectural cautionary levels system to reflect changes in the national cautionary levels system. The new system is a 4-level system, from level 1 (lowest) to level 4 (highest). Like the Third system, levels are set based on such criteria as hospital bed usage (of both general COVID-19 patients and severe COVID-19 patients).

Note that the Prefectural Cautionary Level does not automatically shift based on the indicators listed in the table below, but rather a comprehensive decision about setting the level is made after a thorough review of the current condition of COVID-19 in the prefecture.

Cautionary level	Indicators (approximate)	Condition in the prefecture			Requests to prefectural residents, etc.
		Medical	Social/Economic	Infection
Level 1 ("lull in infections")	・0~30% usage of hospital beds	Strain on the medical system is low.		Low number of cases is being maintained, or there is a gradual rise in case numbers.	・Thorough adherence to basic preventative measures (wearing a mask, washing hands, ventilating) ・Vaccine inoculations recommended ・Appropriate use of emergency outpatient/ambulance services ・Adherence to preventative guidelines for businesses ・Staggered work hours and working from home ・Refraining from requesting test results or certificates of treatments from medical institutions
Level 2 ("infections beginning to spread")	・30~50% usage of hospital beds	・Number of outpatients seeking tests/consultations increasing rapidly ・Number of emergency outpatients on the rise ・Increased bed usage and numbers of absent medical staff	Increased absences from work, leading to hindrances in continuing operations	Case numbers are beginning to rapidly increase.	・Specific requests: -preparation for infection beforehand (medicine, food, etc.) -requests to those at low risk of developing severe symptoms to cooperate with medical consultations and treatments, etc. ・Thorough adherence to Level 1 measures
Level 3 ("strain on medical services increasing")	・Over 50% usage of hospital beds, and/or ・Over 50% usage of hospital beds reserved for severe cases	・Number of outpatients flooding the system; high-risk patients cannot be seen right away ・Increased difficulty accepting ambulance outpatients ・Number of patients and absent staff increasing, causing strain on the system	Large absences from work, leading to difficulty continuing operations	A number of cases large enough to increase the strain on the medical system	・Declaration of State of Medical Emergency shall be considered before medical institutions come under strain ・Declaration of Strengthened Measures to Prevent Strain on Medical Services may also be considered based on the situation. Example requests under such measures: -staying home if you have unusual symptoms -avoiding crowded places or places with a high risk of infection -carefully reconsidering large scale events or meals in large numbers ・Renewed thorough adherence to Level 1 and 2 measures
Level 4 ("medical services cannot fully function")	・Over 80% usage of hospital beds, and/or ・Over 80% usage of hospital beds reserved for severe cases	・Enormous numbers of cases make it impossible to fully treat emergency outpatients; regular outpatients flood the system ・Ambulances cannot respond to requests; cease to function ・Irrefutable increase in moderate/severe cases requiring hospitalization ・Patients die at home because they cannot be admitted to hospital ・Wide-sweeping limitations on general medical services must be enacted	Enormous numbers of absences from work, leading to hindrances maintaining social infrastructure	An enormous number of COVID-19 cases that exceeds the expectations for this winter	【Example requests under a Declaration of State of Medical Emergency】 (also applies to Level 3) ・Requests to limit outings and travel to only that which is absolutely necessary ・Requests to postpone events ・Requests to change the format of holding school sports tournaments or events, etc.

Third system (26 Apr, 2022 ~ 6 Dec, 2022)

As of 26 April, 2022, Akita Prefecture has updated their prefectural cautionary levels system to be in line with the national cautionary levels system. This system was a 5-level system, from level 0 (lowest) to level 4 (highest). Under this system, taking into account the characteristics of the Omicron variant, the cautionary level was set based on criteria such as hospital bed availability and number of severe cases (no longer taking into account total case numbers). Requests to residents and businesses remained unchanged from the Second system.

Cautionary level	COVID-19 condition in the Prefecture	Requests to prefectural residents, etc.
Level 0	A rate of 0 new cases is being maintained	Thoroughly follow basic preventative measures
Level 1 ("level to be maintained")	Regular medical care is stable, and COVID-19 care is possible
Level 2 ("level at which caution should be heightened")	The number of new cases is trending upward, however medical care to those in need is being provided by increasing the number of hospital beds ・Over 20% usage of hospital beds, and/or ・3 or more severe cases	・During periods of increased movement of people: requests to thoroughly follow basic preventative measures ・In the event of clusters with unique characteristics or localized increase in spread: specific advisories based on an evaluation of the cause ・If the fear exists there will be an impact on general medical care: issuance of "Spread of Infection Advisory"
Level 3 ("level at which measures should be strengthened")	COVID-19 care cannot be provided without limiting general care to a severe degree ・Over 50% usage of hospital beds, and/or ・Over 50% usage of hospital beds reserved for severe cases	・If the fear exists there will be a serious impact on general medical care: issuance of "Spread of Infection Warning" (also possible in Level 2, based on condition) ・Declaration of State of Emergency or Quasi State of Emergency shall be considered
Level 4 ("level to be avoided")	COVID-19 care cannot be provided even with widespread limitations on general care	－

Second system (27 Oct, 2021 ~ 25 Apr, 2022)

From 27 October, 2021 to 25 April, 2022, Akita Prefecture updated to a 6-level COVID-19 alert system (though it was called a "5-level" system, because the levels are numbered 1 through 5, and 5+), with level 1 being the lowest and level 5+ being the highest. Akita Prefecture set the alert level using the number of COVID-19 cases in a week as a rough basis; each level came with a differing set of advisories/restrictions.

Cautionary level / COVID-19 condition in the Prefecture	Indicators (approximate)			Requests to prefectural residents
	New cases	Phase of hospital bed availability	Hospital bed usage rate (of maximum)
Level 1	0	1	－	・Thoroughly maintain basic preventative measures. ・Ensure ventilation appropriate for the season and COVID-19 condition.	WIP
Level 2 【Caution】 The concern of spread of infection exists	1~/week	2, 3	less than 10%
Level 3 【Alert】 <2→3> Infection is starting to spread <4→3> The number of cases is decreasing, but alert against rebound is necessary	25~/week	4, 5	10%~
Level 4 【Special alert】 <3→4> Infection is spreading <5→4> Medical response has improved, but the number of cases remains high and strong alert against rebound is necessary	50~/week	5, 6	20%~
Level 5 【Emergency】 Medical response is starting to strain as a result of spread of infection	100~/week	6	40%~
Level 5+ 【State of emergency】 Medical response is strained as a result of spread of infection (measures such as declaration of state of emergency or quasi-state of emergency will be considered)	250~/week	6	60%~

First system (pre-27 Oct 2021)

On 27 October, 2021 the 5-level alert system (actually 5 levels) was updated to the current 6-level alert system. This table below contains information on the old, 5-level system.

Cautionary level	Basis (roughly the number of cases in a week)	Requests to prefectural residents
Level 1 (cautionary warning)	0	・Thoroughly implement basic preventative measures ・Businesses should thoroughly follow the Preventative Guidelines Based on Business Type ・Calls to take care when travelling to prefectures or areas with large numbers of cases
Level 2 (strong cautionary warning)	1 to 6	In addition to Level 1 (cautionary warning): ・Calls to avoid travel to prefectures or areas with large numbers of cases ・Calls to take care when utilizing businesses with venue types that have seen cluster breakouts or venues which are not faithfully following Guidelines ・Limits to the scale of events
Level 3 (request for cooperation)	7 to 24	In addition to Level 2 (strong cautionary warning): ・Request to refrain from non-essential travel across prefectural borders ・Request to refrain from non-essential outings (limited areas and/or days) ・Request to close or shorten operating hours of businesses with venue types that have seen cluster breakouts or venues which are not faithfully following Guidelines (in areas with large numbers of cases) ・Limits to the scale of events stricter than Level 2, or their cancellation
Level 4 (call for action)	25 to 49	In addition to Level 3 (request for cooperation): ・Request to refrain from non-essential outings (Prefecture-wide) ・Request to close or shorten operating hours of businesses with venue types that have seen cluster breakouts or venues which are not faithfully following Guidelines (Prefecture-wide) ・Cancellation of events
Level 5 (strong call for action / directives)	over 50	In addition to Level 4 (call for action): ・Requests or directives to close or shorten operating hours of businesses deemed necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Prefecture-wide) (the national government may declare a state of emergency or specific countermeasures to prevent the spread of infection)

COVID-19 Consultation Centers in Akita

As of 1 April 2024, prefectural call centers have been discontinued. If you are concerned over yourself or someone you know who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have a Japanese speaker call the MHLW Call Center below. If no one is on hand who speaks Japanese, call the English call center.

Center Name	Phone Number	Area	Hours
MHLW Call Center (toll-free)	0120-565653	All-Japan	7 days / week 9:00 ~ 21:00

Consultation center for foreigners

Center Name	Phone Number	Address	Area	Hours
Consultation in English / Chinese / Korean
Akita International Association 公益財団法人 秋田県国際交流協会	018-884-7050	〒010-0001 秋田市中通2-3-8 アトリオン1階	All-prefecture	Thursdays 13:00 ~ 17:00

External link: AIA - Consultation center for foreigners

See also: Support hotlines (on this wiki)

For consultation in English about COVID-19, JETs may contact the AIA (Akita International Association) consultation center listed above.

• Founder: Akita Prefecture (Division in charge: International Affairs Division, Department of Planning and Promotion)
• Administration: Public interest incorporated foundation, Akita International Association
• Place: Atorion Building 1st Floor, 2-3-8 Nakadoori, Akita City
• Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:45
  • Every third Saturday of the month is a business day, with the following Monday being a non-business day
• Consultation availability by language:
  • Japanese: any time during business hours
  • English, Chinese, Korean: Thursdays, 13:00-17:00
  • Tagalog, Vietnamese: any time during business hours, but a reservation is required beforehand
• Consultation hotline: 018-884-7050
• E-mail: soudan21@aiahome.or.jp

Regional centers

Jurisdictions of the regional Health Care Centers

Regional branches of 保健所 (hokenjo; "Health Care Centers"), operated by Akita Prefecture, filled the role of local Coronavirus Consultation Centers before the reclassification of COVID-19 as a Category 5 disease. The Coronavirus Consultation Centers were designated 帰国者・接触者相談センター (kikokusha / sesshokusha sōdan sentā; lit.: "Consultation Centers for Returnees and Persons in Contact") in Japanese, though they were often referred to simply as 保健所, rather than 帰国者・接触者相談センター. Note that Akita City operates its own health care center independent from the prefecture.

Center Name	Phone Number	Address	Area	Hours
Akita Prefectural Odate Health Care Center 大館保健所	0186-52-3955	〒018-5601 大館市十二所字平内新田２３７－１	Odate, Kazuno, Kosaka	Mon ~ Fri 9:00 ~ 17:00
Akita Prefectural Kitaakita Health Care Center 北秋田保健所	0186-62-1165	〒018-3393 北秋田市鷹巣字東中岱７６－１	Kitaakita, Kamikoani
Akita Prefectural Noshiro Health Care Center 能代保健所	0186-52-4333	〒016-0815 能代市御指南町１－１０	Noshiro, Mitane, Happo, Fujisato
Akita Prefectural Central Akita Health Care Center 秋田中央保健所	018-855-5170	〒018-1402 潟上市昭和乱橋字古開１７２－１	Oga, Katagami, Gojome, Hachirogata, Ikawa, Ogata
Akita Prefectural Yurihonjo Health Care Center 由利本荘保健所	0184-22-4120	〒015-0885 由利本荘市水林４０８	Yurihonjo, Nikaho
Akita Prefectural Daisen Health Care Center 大仙保健所	0187-63-3403	〒014-0062 大仙市大曲上栄町１３－６２	Daisen, Semboku, Misato
Akita Prefectural Yokote Health Care Center 横手保健所	0182-32-4005	〒013-8503 横手市旭川１－３－４６	Yokote
Akita Prefectural Yuzawa Health Care Center 湯沢保健所	0183-73-6155	〒012-0857 湯沢市千石町２－１－１０	Yuzawa, Ugo, Higashinaruse
Akita City Health Care Center 秋田市保健所 (note: operated by Akita City)	018-883-1180	〒010-0976 秋田市八橋南１丁目８－３	Akita City

COVID-19 vaccines in Japan

Update: Vaccinations will be continue to be provided free of charge in fiscal year 2023 (ending 31 March, 2024). Mass inoculations are planned twice (summer and fall/winter) for high-risk individuals (the elderly, those with preexisting conditions, etc), and once (fall/winter) for all others aged 5 or over.

The original plan was for COVID-19 vaccines to be administered to the following groups of people in this order:

1. Health care professionals and others who provide medical treatment for COVID-19 patients and others directly
2. Persons aged 65 or higher
3. Staff who interact directly with people having underlying conditions or users of elderly care facilities
4. The general public (persons aged 12 or higher)

Inoculated individuals late became eligible for booster shots after a certain time period had elapsed. Because the initial inoculations occurred in the order above, booster shot rollout for each demographic tended to follow the same order as each group became eligible. The time period for booster shot eligibility has fluctuated: initially it was 8 months after previous inoculation, now it is 5 months after previous inoculation (with multiple stages along the way).

Local governments will be in charge of inoculation procedures within their jurisdictions. Vaccines will be administered free of charge to all eligible individuals.

Japan initially imported COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech (US/Germany). After two doses, this vaccine is about 95% effective at preventing the onset of COVID-19 symptoms caused by the initial strains. The high percentage of effectiveness means that the risk of side effects is also high; side effects include fever, pain in the area of injection, headache, and, in extremely rare cases, anaphylaxis. Individuals receiving vaccines will be required to stay on site under observation of medical professionals for 15 to 30 minutes in order to receive the necessary treatment should anaphylaxis occur.

Japan has also approved, and imported quantities of, the Moderna (US) and AstraZeneca (UK; also produced domestically) vaccines. The Novavax (US) vaccine has also been approved, and a contract is in place to import/domestically produce a quantity of it.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have developed vaccines adapted to the Omicron variant strain. Theses vaccines are also in use in Japan. Their rollout to each demographic followed the same priority order as the rollout of the initial vaccines.

Johnson & Johnson has submitted an application for approval of their COVID-19 vaccine in Japan as well, though it is not in use in Japan.

Important: Even an inoculated individual can contract COVID-19 and spread it to others! Some variants are even capable of outbreaks among the fully vaccinated. Therefore, even after inoculation, it is still necessary to follow the existing preventative measures (social distancing, avoiding the 3Cs, washing hands thoroughly, wearing a mask, etc.) to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Refer to these pages for up-to-date information in English on COVID-19 vaccinations in Japan:

• Website of the Prime Minister (English)
• MHLW (Japanese)
• Akita Prefecture page on vaccines (Japanese)

Vaccine comparisons

Japanese authorities have approved the following COVID-19 vaccines.

(note: information in this table is not exhaustive)

	Pfizer-BioNTech	Moderna	AstraZeneca	Novavax
Brand name	Comirnaty	Spikevax	Vaxzevria	Nuvaxovid
Vaccine type	mRNA	mRNA	Viral vector	Recombinant protein
Country	USA / Germany	USA	UK	USA
Number of shots	2 shots, 21 days apart	2 shots, 28 days apart	2 shots, 4~12 weeks apart	2 shots, 21 days apart
Reported effectiveness	95% against the original strain (1 week after 2nd shot)	94.1% against the original strain (2 weeks after 2nd shot)	76% against the original strain	90.4% against the original strain (though designed to be effective against variant strains)
	*all vaccines report diminished effectiveness against the Delta and Omicron variant strains
Eligible age	12+	18+	Recommended 40+	18+
Storage	6 months: -60～-80°C 5 days: 2～8°C 6 hours: once opened (room temperature)	6 months: -20°C 30 days: 2～8°C 6 hours: once opened (room temperature)	6 months: 2～8°C 6 hours: once opened (room temperature)	6 months: 2～8°C
Potential side effects (not exhaustive)				Less severe than other vaccines, especially reduced instances of fever (5.7% of patients developed fever of 38 degrees or higher)
Production	Overseas (imported)	Overseas (imported)	Domestic production	Domestic production
Amount contracted	Contract for 194,000,000 doses	Contract for 100,000,000 doses	Contract for 120,000,000 doses (imported + domestically produced)	Contract for 150,000,000 doses (starting late May 2022)
Use domestically	・Distributed to local governments nation-wide for general inoculation ・Used as a 3rd/booster shot (for individuals inoculated with any vaccine brand) ・Weaker dosage version for children aged 5-11	・Distributed to local governments nation-wide for general inoculation ・Used as a 3rd/booster shot (for individuals inoculated with any vaccine brand)	Available to people in some municipalities aged 40+ and to people aged 18+ who display allergic reactions to other vaccines	・Will be made available to people as first, second, and/or third shots ・Expected to be made available to people who display allergic reactions to other vaccines

Information in this table sourced from links in this section.

Omicron-adapted vaccines

Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have developed vaccines adapted to the Omicron variant. MHLW officially refers to them in Japanese as オミクロン株対応２価ワクチン (omikuronkabu taiō nika wakuchin; "the Omicron-strain-adapted bivalent vaccine"). These vaccines have added effectiveness against the BA.1 Omicron subvariant while maintaining the same level of effectiveness against the previously-circulating variants as the initial vaccines developed by each company. These Omicron-adapted vaccines are also reportedly effective against the BA.5 Omicron subvariant which was circulating in Japan at the time these vaccines became available.

Both of these Omicron-adapted vaccines have been approved for use in Japan. Inoculations using them began on 20 September, 2022 in persons at higher risk (the elderly and/or those with preexisting conditions).

Pfizer-BioNTech has also further developed a bivalent vaccine adapted to the BA.4/BA.5 subvariants. However both the BA.1-adapted bivalent vaccines and the BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent vaccines are expected to increase production of antibodies against the Omicron variant at large, and so the expectation is that either one will be effective. MHLW recommends getting the first available bivalent vaccine, regardless of whether it is BA.1-adapted or BA.4/BA.5-adapted.

	Pfizer-BioNTech	Moderna
Brand name	Comirnaty	Spikevax
Vaccine type	mRNA	mRNA
Country	USA / Germany	USA
Number of shots	1 shot (booster; at least 5 months after previous shot)	1 shot (booster; at least 5 months after previous shot)
Reported effectiveness	1.56x average (neutralizing antibodies against the BA.1 Omicron subvariant compared with non-Omicron-adapted vaccines)	1.75x average (neutralizing antibodies against the BA.1 Omicron subvariant compared with non-Omicron-adapted vaccines)
	*both vaccines report increased effectiveness against the BA.5 Omicron subvariant as well
Amount contracted	Week of 19 September, 2022
	Approx. 10,100,000 doses	Approx. 1,000,000 doses
	Week of 26 September, 2022
	Approx. 10,100,000 doses	Approx. 1,000,000 doses
	Week of 3 October, 2022
	Approx. 7,800,000 doses	(none)
Use domestically	・Distributed to local governments nation-wide for general inoculation ・Used as a 3rd or 4th/booster shot (for individuals inoculated with any vaccine brand) ・Initial inoculations will be prioritized for the elderly (60+) and those with preexisting conditions	・Distributed to local governments nation-wide for general inoculation ・Used as a 3rd or 4th/booster shot (for individuals inoculated with any vaccine brand) ・Initial inoculations will be prioritized for the elderly (60+) and those with preexisting conditions

Information in this table sourced from links in this section.

Information by municipality

Each municipality is responsible for inoculating its residents. The following are links to the COVID-19 vaccine pages on each municipality's website (Japanese). Municipalities are organized here by the health care center whose jurisdiction they fall under.

Odate Health Care Center

• Odate (vaccine info for Odate)
• Kazuno (vaccine info for Kazuno)
• Kosaka (vaccine info for Kosaka)

Kitaakita Health Care Center

• Kitaakita (vaccine info for Kitaakita)
• Kamikoani (vaccine info for Kamikoani)

Noshiro Health Care Center

• Noshiro (vaccine info for Noshiro)
• Fujisato (vaccine info for Fujisato)
• Mitane (vaccine info for Mitane)
• Happo (vaccine info for Happo)

Central Akita Health Care Center

• Oga (vaccine info for Oga)
• Katagami (vaccine info for Katagami)
• Gojome (vaccine info for Gojome)
• Hachirogata (vaccine info for Hachirogata)
• Ikawa (vaccine info for Ikawa)
• Ogata (vaccine info for Ogata)

Akita City Health Care Center

• Akita City (vaccine info for Akita City)

Yurihonjo Health Care Center

• Yurihonjo (vaccine info for Yurihonjo)
• Nikaho (vaccine info for Nikaho)

Daisen Health Care Center

• Daisen (vaccine info for Daisen)
• Semboku (vaccine info for Semboku)
• Misato (vaccine info for Misato)

Yokote Health Care Center

• Yokote (vaccine info for Yokote)

Yuzawa Health Care Center

• Yuzawa (vaccine info for Yuzawa)
• Ugo (vaccine info for Ugo)
• Higashinaruse (vaccine info for Higashinaruse)

List of reported COVID-19 cases in Akita Prefecture

Main article: Reported COVID-19 cases in Akita Prefecture

This page on the Akita Prefectural Infectious Disease Surveillance Center (秋田県感染症情報センター; Akitaken Kansenshō Jōhō Sentā) website lists the weekly totals for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases across the prefecture.

This NHK page (Japanese) has graphs for case numbers, etc., in Akita.

Cases from 8 May, 2023 onward

Concurrent with the reclassification of COVID-19 as a Category 5 disease in Japan, COVID-19 case numbers are no longer reported daily from all institutions. Under the new system, weekly average case numbers (from Monday to the following Sunday) are reported on the following Thursday. For example, data for Week 19 of 2023 (8~14 May) were reported on Thursday, 18 May, 2023.

Furthermore, case numbers are now reported only from specific institutions. There are approximately 5,000 such institutions across the country; 52 of which are based in Akita Prefecture. The graph below shows the average of case numbers reported only from those institutions based in Akita Prefecture.

Individual case numbers are no longer calculated. Instead, the average number of cases across reporting institutions within the Prefecture are tallied. The weekly average is listed in the graph below. For reference, NHK reports that this weekly average number would have been around 45 at its highest during the peak on the week ending 11 December, 2022 (based on a recalculation of the daily numbers reported at the time; source).

Graph of Weekly Averages

Note: this table displays the historic numbers displayed on the Akita Infectious Diseases homepage at the time of publication, and does not reflect any retroactive changes published after the fact.

Cases up to 7 May, 2023

See the list of Reported COVID-19 cases in Akita Prefecture for historical case numbers.

SARS-CoV-2 variants

Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, changes over time. Most changes have little to no impact on the virus' properties. However, occasionally a change may alter how easily the virus spreads, the severity of the disease it causes, or the efficacy of treatment against it. Such variant strains of SARS-CoV-2, as designated by the World Health Organization (WHO), are listed in this section. They are split into Variants of Concern (VOC; higher severity), Variants of Interest (VOI; lesser severity), and Variants under Monitoring (VUM; potential for future risk, but as-yet unknown severity). Note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States also has made provisions for Variants of High Consequence (VOHC), a third level of even higher severity than Variants of Concern; no variant strains yet have reached this level.

Information in this section has been primarily sourced from this WHO page and this CDC page, as well as other links in this section on this wiki, and is current as of 13:15, 29 November 2021 (JST).

Notes on nomenclature

WHO labels
WHO recommends referring to Variants of Concern by Greek letter labels, both for ease/accuracy of reporting and to avoid stigma against the nations/areas that have discovered them. The Greek letter labels are applied in alphabetical order based on the date of classification of each variant as a Variant of Concern (with the exception that the letters Nu(ν; ニュー) and Xi(ξ; クサイ) were skipped; no variants received these letters as labels).

Note that WHO only applies Greek letter labels to variants which it designates as Variants of Concern, and therefore the vast majority of SARS-CoV-2 variants do not receive a Greek letter label. The PANGO lineage system below offers a more in-depth labeling system for variants.

Note: As of 15 March, 2023, WHO no longer assigns Greek letters to Variants of Interest, instead reserving new Greek letters only for Variants of Concern (source). Variants of Interest with previously assigned Greek letter designations retain those designations.

PANGO lineages
PANGO is an online database where researches of SARS-CoV-2 around the world can document variant strains which have been discovered in the wild. Because of their complexity, it can be difficult to refer to SARS-CoV-2 variants by their PANGO lineage in day-to-day conversation and, especially, in reporting. This is one of the reasons why WHO implemented its Greek letter labeling system.

A few of the rules governing PANGO nomenclature are listed here for reference. For more information see this page on the PANGO website.

• Lineage names are constructed from an alphabetical prefix and a numerical suffix.
• Any letter in the Latin alphabet may be used (singly or in combination) within the prefix of standard lineages, except for I, O, (to avoid confusion with numerals 1 and 0) and X (which is reserved for recombinant lineages).
• Each dot within the numerical suffix represents "descendant of" and is applied when one ancestor of the lineage can be clearly identified. (Example: Lineage B.1.1.7 is the seventh named descendant of lineage B.1.1, which in turn is the first named descendant of lineage B.1.)
• Numerical suffixes have a maximum of three levels. If a fourth level would be added, that level is instead reassigned the next available alphabetical prefix. The new prefix acts as an alias for the name of the parental lineage. (Example: The first named descendant of lineage B.1.1.1 is not named B.1.1.1.1 but is instead named C.1. The prefix C therefore serves as an alias for B.1.1.1.)
• After all available single-character prefixes are exhausted, assignations continue with two-character prefixes, beginning with the next available letter. (Example: Prefix AA is the next available prefix after Z, and BA is the next available prefix after AZ, and AAA is the next available prefix after ZZ.)
• Lineages without a single unambiguous parental lineage are called special case lineages. There are two types of special case lineages:

• The first type comprises lineages A and B. The exact nature of their ancestry is ambiguous because the root of the SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny is not known with certainty.
• The second type comprises recombinant lineages that, by definition, have more than one parental lineage.
  (Descendent lineages of special case lineages acquire numerical suffixes according to the procedure above.)

• Recombinant lineages are given the prefix X plus the next available letter. (Example: The first detected recombinant lineage is named XA, followed by XB, XC,…, XAA, XAB, etc.)

• Recombinant lineages are special case lineages and used without a numerical suffix. Non-recombinant descendent lineages of recombinant lineages acquire numerical suffixes. (Example: The first non-recombinant descendant lineage of XA is named XA.1 because it has one unambiguous parental lineage. The usual rules of aliasing also apply, hence XA.1.1.1.1 would become AJ.1, if AJ were the next available top-level prefix.)

Variants of Concern (VOC)

A SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (VOC) is a variant that meets the definition of a VOI and, through a comparative assessment, has been demonstrated to be associated with one or more of the following changes at a degree of global public health significance:

• Increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology; or
• Increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation; or
• Decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics.

New VOCs receive a greek letter desgnation from the WHO. Currently, Omicron (and its subvariants) is the only circulating VOC:

WHO label	Earliest documented samples	Date of designation	Scientific nomenclature
			PANGO lineage*	GISAID clade/lineage	Nextstrain clade
Omicron(ο) オミクロン株 (parent lineage)	Multiple countries, 2021/11	VUM: 2021/11/24 VOC: 2021/11/26 Previous VOC: 2023/03/14	B.1.1.529	GR/484A	21K

* Includes all descendant lineages.

Note: only recombinant lineages whose parent lineages are both Omicron lineages are considered "Omicron subvariants" by WHO. Recombinant lineages where only one parent linage is an Omicron lineage - such as XD (i.e. the first "Deltacron" variant), which has one Delta parent lineage and one Omicron parent lineage - are not considered "Omicron subvariants" by WHO.

Potential attributes of Omicron (not exhaustive):

• a "large number of mutations, some of which are concerning"
• potentially increased risk of reinfection
• increased risk of transmission

(source)

Variants of Interest (VOI)

A SARS-CoV-2 isolate is a Variant of Interest (VOI) if, compared to a reference isolate, its genome has mutations with established or suspected phenotypic implications, and either:

• has been identified to cause community transmission/multiple COVID-19 cases/clusters, or has been detected in multiple countries; OR
• is otherwise assessed to be a VOI by WHO in consultation with the WHO SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution Working Group.

As of 15 March, 2023, WHO no longer assigns Greek letters to Variants of Interest, instead reserving new Greek letters only for Variants of Concern (source). Variants of Interest with previously assigned Greek letter designations retain those designations.

Currently circulating VOIs as of 2 December, 2024 (source)

Scientific nomenclature		Genetic features	Earliest documented samples	Date of designation
PANGO lineage*	Nextstrain clade
JN.1	24A	BA.2.86 + S:L455S	25-08-2023	18-12-2023

*Includes all descendant lineages, except those designated as VUMs below

Variants under Monitoring (VUM)

Variants designated as Variants under Monitoring (VUM) are variants with genetic changes suspected to affect virus characteristics (transmissibility, disease severity, resilience to treatments, etc.) in such a way that they may pose a future risk, but evidence is as yet unclear.

Variants readily have this classification added and removed, and are not assigned a Greek letter designation (although variants with previous Greek letter designations who are moved to this list - i.e. variants removed from either the VOI/VOC lists - will retain those designations until further notice). Because variants with this classification are in flux, a list of current Variants under Monitoring will not be regularly maintained on this wiki, and the information presented below may be out of date.

Omicron subvariants under monitoring as of 25 June, 2025 (source, retrieved 22 August 2025).

Scientific nomenclature		Genetic features	Earliest documented samples	Date of designation
PANGO lineage*	Nextstrain clade
KP.3	24C	JN.1 + S:F456L, S:Q493E, S:V1104L	11 February 2024	3 May 2024
KP.3.1.1	24E	KP.3 + S:S31-	27 March 2024	19 July 2024
XEC	24F	JN.1 + S:T22N, S:F59S, S:F456L, S:Q493E, S:V1104L	26 June 2024	24 September 2024
LP.8.1	25A	JN1 + S:S31-, S:F186L, S:R190S, S:R346T, S:V445R, S:F456L, S:Q493E, S:K1086R, S:V1104L	01 July 2024	24 January 2025
NB.1.8.1 (the "Nimbus" variant)	25B	JN1 + S:T22N, S:F59S, S:G184S,S:A435S, S:F456L, S:T478I, S:Q493E	22 January 2025	23 May 2025
XFG	25C	JN1 + S:T22N, S:S31P, S:K182R, S:R190S, S:R346T, S:K444R, S:V445R, S:F456L, S:N487D, S:Q493E, S:T572I	27 January 2025	25 June 2025

*Includes all descendant lineages

Historical

The Omicron subvariant is the only Variant of Concern (VOC) in current circulation. The information in this section is preserved for historical reference.

Previously circulating VOCs
This subsection lists Variants of Concern which are no longer in wide circulation, but have not had their VOC label removed.

WHO label	Earliest documented samples	Date of designation	Scientific nomenclature			Attributes**
			PANGO lineage*	GISAID clade/lineage	Nextstrain clade
Alpha(α) アルファ株	United Kingdom, 2020/09	2020/12/18	B.1.1.7 (incl. all Q lineages)	GRY (formerly GR/501Y.V1)	20I (V1)	・~50% increased transmission ・potential severity increase based on hospitalizations and fatality rates ・others
Beta(β) ベータ株	South Africa, 2020/05	2021/12/18	B.1.351	GH/501Y.V2	20H (V2)	・~50% increased transmission ・significantly reduced susceptibility to the combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab monoclonal antibody treatment ・others
Gamma(γ) ガンマ株	Brazil, 2020/11	2021/01/11	P.1 (Alias of B.1.1.28.1)	GR/501Y.V3	20J (V3)	・significantly reduced susceptibility to the combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab monoclonal antibody treatment ・others
Delta(δ) デルタ株	India, 2020/10	VOI: 2021/04/04 VOC: 2021/05/11	B.1.617.2 (incl. all AY lineages)	G/478K.V1	21A, 21I, 21J	・estimated ~95% increased transmission domestically (source) ・capable of breakthrough outbreaks among the fully vaccinated (source) ・potential reduction in neutralization by some EUA monoclonal antibody treatments ・others

* Includes all descendant lineages.

** Attributes listed in the Attributes column are not exhaustive.

Symptoms of previously circulating subvariants of Omicron included (but were not limited to):

• BA.2 subvariant originally nicknamed "stealth Omicron" due to mutations which increased the difficulty of differentiating between it and Delta on positive PCR tests
• Patients infected with the BA.5 subvariant tend to display high fevers (38.0°C or more), rather than runny nose and sore throat (the symptoms associated with the previously circulating subvariants)
• Other symptoms associated with BA.5 include weight loss and inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)

(source)

Previously circulating/former VOIs
Variants which have either:

• had their classification as Variants of Interest removed by the WHO (i.e. "former Variants of Interest"), or
• maintain their classification as Variants of Interest, but are no longer in circulation.

Variants in this section may be classified as Variants under Monitoring, but not necessarily.

WHO label	Earliest documented samples	Date of designation	Scientific nomenclature
			PANGO lineage*	GISAID clade/lineage	Nextstrain clade
Epsilon(ε) エプシロン株	United States of America, 2020/03	2021/03/05	B.1.427/B.1.429	GH/452R.V1	20C/S.452R
Zeta(ζ) ゼータ株	Brazil, 2020/04	2021/03/17	P.2 (Alias of B.1.1.28.2)	GR	20B/S.484K
Eta(η) イータ株	Multiple countries, 2020/12	2021/03/17	B.1.525	G/484K.V3	20A/S484K
Theta(θ) シータ株	Philippines, 2021/01	2021/03/24	P.3 (Alias of B.1.1.28.3)	GR	20B/S:265C
Iota(ι) イオタ株	United States of America, 2020/11	2021/03/24	B.1.526	GH	20C/S:484K
Kappa(κ) カッパ株	India, 2020/10	2021/04/04	B.1.617.1	G/452R.V3	21A/S:154K
Lambda(λ) ラムダ株	Peru, 2020/12	2021/06/14	C.37 (Alias of B.1.1.1.37)	GR/452Q.V1	21G
Mu(μ) ミュー株	Colombia, 2021/01	2021/08/30	B.1.621	GH	21H

* Includes all descendant lineages.

Useful vocabulary related to COVID-19

Vocabulary is provided here for reference only, and cannot take the place of a medical professional.

Symptoms

English	Japanese
	Kanji/kana	Romanization
I have ~	～があります	~ ga arimasu
This phrase won't always be grammatically accurate, but it will serve you well in a pinch.
fever	熱	netsu
slight fever	微熱	binetsu
high fever	高熱	kōnetsu
fever of 37.5°C	３７度５分の熱	sanjūnana-do go-bu no netsu
shortness of breath	息切れ	ikigire
difficulty breathing	呼吸困難	kokyū konnan
dry cough	乾いた咳	kawaita seki
weakness	倦怠感	kentaikan
fatigue	疲労	hirō
I feel sluggish	だるい	darui
nausea	吐き気	hakike
muscle pain	筋肉痛	kinnikutsū
joint pain	関節痛	kansetsutsū
headache	頭痛 (or 頭が痛い)	zutsū (or atama ga itai)
lack of taste	味覚がない	mikaku ga nai
lack of smell	匂いがわからない	nioi ga wakaranai
loss of appetite	食欲がない	shokuyoku ga nai
dehydration	脱水症状	dassui shōjō
diarrhea	下痢	geri
bloody mucus	血痰	kettan
confusion	混乱	konran
chronic (pre-existing) condition/illness	持病	jibyō
non-communicable disease (NCD)	非伝染性疾病	hi-densensei shippei

Severity levels of symptoms

The following table breaks down the levels of symptom severity in reported COVID-19 patients. Sometimes the two levels of moderate symptoms are combined into a single category, simply named "moderate symptoms (中等症；chūtōshō)".

English	Japanese		Description
	Kanji/kana	Romanization
asymptomatic	無症状	mushōjō	・No symptoms
light symptoms	軽症	keishō	・Blood oxygen level 96% or above ・Oxygen therapy not required ・No respiratory symptoms, or cough but no difficulty breathing
moderate symptoms, level I	中等症Ⅰ	chūtōshō ichi	・Blood oxygen level 93%~96% ・Difficulty breathing ・Pneumonia symptoms
moderate symptoms, level II	中等症Ⅱ	chūtōshō ni	・Blood oxygen level 93% or under ・Oxygen therapy required ・Respiratory failure
severe symptoms	重症	jūshō	・Requires ICU/intubation ・Diminishing chance of recovery

Sources for this section:

• NHK article
• Asahi Digital article

MHLW 13 High-risk Symptoms (28 April, 2020)

English	Japanese
	Kanji/kana	Romanization
Expression/Outward appearance (表情・外見; hyōjō / gaiken)
Looking extremely pale	顔色が明らかに悪い	kaoiro ga akiraka ni warui
Lips turn purple	唇が紫色になっている	kuchibiru ga murasakiiro ni natteiru
Acting different than usual / appear strange	いつもと違う、 様子がおかしい	itsumo to chigau, yōsu ga okashii
Difficulty with breathing, etc. (息苦しさなど; ikigurushisa nado)
Breathing has become rough (number of breaths increase)	息が荒くなった （呼吸数が多くなった）	iki ga arakunatta (kokyūsū ga ōku natta)
Sudden difficulty breathing	急に息苦しくなった	kyū ni ikigurushikunatta
Difficulty breathing after short periods of movement in daily life	生活をしていて 少し動くと息苦しい	seikatsu wo shiteite sukoshi ugoku to ikigurushii
Pain in the chest	胸の痛みがある	mune no itami ga aru
Can't lay down / can't breathe unless sitting	横になれない 座らないと息が出来ない	yoko ni narenai suwaranai to iki ga dekinai
Breathing with the shoulders	肩で息をしている	kata de iki wo shiteiru
Begin wheezing abruptly (within about 2 hours between spurts)	突然（２時間以内を目安） ゼーゼーしはじめた	totsuzen (2jikan inai wo meyasu) zēzē shihajimeta
Sense of awareness, etc. (意識障害など; ishiki shōgai nado)
Acting absentmindedly (responses weak)	ぼんやりしている （反応が弱い）	bon'yari shiteiru (hannō ga yowai)
In a haze (no replies)	もうろうとしている （返事がない）	mōrō to shiteiru (henji ga nai)
Irregular pulse, skipping beats	脈がとぶ、 脈のリズムが乱れる感じがする	myaku ga tobu, myaku no rizumu ga midareru kanji ga suru

Virus-related Terms

English	Japanese
	Kanji/kana	Romanization
"novel coronavirus" i.e. SARS-CoV-2	新型コロナウイルス	shingata koronauirusu
"novel coronavirus disease" i.e. COVID-19	新型コロナウイルス感染症	shingata koronauirusu kansenshō
"novel corona" (abbreviation of the above)	新型コロナ	shingata korona
"the coronavirus pandemic"	コロナ禍	korona-ka
PCR Test	PCR検査	pī shī āru kensa
antigen Test	抗原検査	kōgen kensa
cluster	クラスター or 集団感染	kurasutā or shūdan kansen
positive	陽性	yōsei
negative	陰性	insei
false positive	偽陽性	gi-yōsei
false negative	偽陰性	gi-insei
(coronavirus) carrier	感染者	kansensha
(coronavirus) patient	患者	kanja
a (coronavirus) patient with severe symptoms	重症患者	jūshō kanja
person in contact (with a confirmed carrier)	接触者	sesshokusha
person in close contact (with a confirmed carrier; closer degree of contact)	濃厚接触者	nōkō sesshokusha
route of transmission	感染経路	kansen keiro
droplet infection	飛沫感染	himatsu kansen
community transmission	市中感染	shichū kansen
variant virus (strain)	変異ウイルス	hen'i uirusu
recombinant strain	組み替え体	kumikaetai
replacement (i.e. the emergence in widespread circulation of a new variant replacing previously circulating variants)	置き換わり	okikawari
"Three Cs"	三密 or 三つの密	sanmitsu or mittsu no mitsu
①"Closed Spaces"	①密閉空間	①mippei kūkan
②"Crowded Places"	②密集場所	②misshū basho
③"Close-contact Situations"	③密接場面	③missetsu bamen
"an indefinitely large number (of people)" (used to describe events with large and/or open attendance)	不特定多数	futokutei tasū
hospitalization	入院	nyūin
mask	マスク	masuku
disinfectant	消毒	shōdoku
wash your hands	手を洗う	te wo arau
gargle	うがい	ugai
thermometer	体温計	taionkei
respirator	人工呼吸器	jinkō kokyūki
ECMO	人工心肺装置 (エクモ)	jinkō shinpai sōchi (ekumo)
inhaler	吸入器	kyūnyūki
negative pressure room	陰圧室	in'atsu-shitsu
Coronavirus Consultation Center	帰国者・ 接触者相談センター	kikokusha sesshokusha sōdan sentā
collapse of the healthcare system	医療崩壊	iryō hōkai
quarantine policy	水際対策	mizugiwa taisaku
declaration of state of emergency	緊急事態宣言	kinkyū jitai sengen
specific countermeasures to prevent the spread of infection ("quasi-state of emergency")	まん延防止等重点措置 or まん延防止 (or まん坊)	man'en bōshi-tō jūten sochi or man'en bōshi (or mambō)
social distance	ソーシャルディスタンス or 社会的距離	sōsharu disutansu or shakaiteki kyori
ventilation	換気	kanki
vaccine	ワクチン or 予防接種	wakuchin or yobō sesshu
vaccine booster shot	追加接種	tsuika sesshu
bivalent vaccine	２価ワクチン	nika wakuchin
a shot (of a vaccine)	注射	chūsha
syringe	注射器	chūsha-ki
needle (of a syringe, etc.)	針	hari

Chronic Conditions / Non-communicable Diseases

English	Japanese
	Kanji/kana	Romanization
asthma	喘息	zensoku
diabetes	糖尿病	tōnyōbyō
obesity	肥満	himan
arthritis	関節炎	kansetsuen
high blood pressure	高血圧	kōketsuatsu
osteoarthritis	変形性関節症	henkeisei kansetsushō
osteoporosis	骨粗鬆症	kotsusoshōshō
heart disease	心臓病	shinzōbyō
chronic kidney disease	慢性腎不全	mansei jinfuzen

Vocabulary formerly used on the Prefectural webpage

See also: #List of reported COVID-19 cases in Akita Prefecture, the section that this subsection was originally created to complement.

Prior to the reclassification of COVID-19 as a Category 5 disease, the Prefectural homepage broke down daily cases by several categories. At the time, the information was refreshed daily and was not transcribed onto this wiki. The vocabulary in the following table was intended to be used as a reference when viewing the Prefectural webpage.

The Prefectural homepage no longer lists daily case numbers, so this list is defunct as a reference. It is preserved here as a reference for translations.

Vocabulary table

Japanese		English
Kanji/kana	Romanization
(1) 公表日別　感染者数 / Cases by date of publication (and in sections (2) and (3))
公表日	kōhyōbi	Date of publication
大館保健所管内	Ōdate hokenjo kannai	Odate Health Care Center
北秋田保健所管内	Kitaakita hokenjo kannai	Kitaakita Health Care Center
能代保健所管内	Noshiro hokenjo kannai	Noshiro Health Care Center
秋田中央保健所管内	Akita chūō hokenjo kannai	Central Health Care Center
由利本荘保健所管内	Yurihonjō hokenjo kannai	Yurihonjo Health Care Center
大仙保健所管内	Daisen hokenjo kannai	Daisen Health Care Center
横手保健所管内	Yokote hokenjo kannai	Yokote Health Care Center
湯沢保健所管内	Yuzawa hokenjo kannai	Yuzawa Health Care Center
秋田市	Akitashi	Akita City
県外	kengai	Outside the prefecture
計	kei	Total
(2)年代別　感染者数 / Cases by age
年代	nendai	Age
10歳未満	jussai miman	<10
10歳代	jussaidai	10s
20歳代	nijussaidai	20s
30歳代	sanjussaidai	30s
40歳代	yonjussaidai	40s
50歳代	gojussaidai	50s
60歳代	rokujussaidai	60s
70歳代	nanajussaidai	70s
80歳代	hachijussaidai	80s
90歳以上	kyūjussai ijō	>90
調査中	chōsachū	Under investigation
(3)性別　感染者数 / Cases by sex
性別	seibetsu	Sex
男性	dansei	Male
女性	josei	Female
調査中	chōsachū	Under investigation
(4)重症度別　感染者数 / Cases by severity of symptoms
無症状	mushōjō	Asymptomatic
軽症	keishō	Light symptoms
中等症	chūtōshō	Moderate symptoms
重症	jūshō	Severe symptoms
調査中	chōsachū	Under investigation
計	kei	Total
(5)陽性者との関係性別　感染者数 / Cases by relation to other cases
濃厚接触者等	nōkō sesshokusha tō	Case in close contact, etc.
不明・調査中	fumei / chōsachū	Unknown / Under investigation
計	kei	Total
(6)みなし陽性者数 / Cases presumed positive (i.e. deemed positive by a medical professional without testing, such as those who live with a tested-positive case and develop fever or other symptoms)
内数	uchisū	Number out of the total
(7)職業別　感染者数 / Cases by occupation
会社員	kaishain	Office worker
公務員	kōmuin	Government official
教職員	kyōshokuin	Teaching staff
団体職員	dantai shokuin	Organization staff
医療従事者等	iryō jūjisha tō	Medical institution staff
施設等職員	shisetsu tō shokuin	Facility staff
自営業	jieigyō	Self-employed
農業	nōgyō	Farmer
無職	mushoku	Unemployed
未就学児	mishūgakuji	Preschool aged child
小学生	shōgakusei	ES student
中学生	chūgakusei	JHS student
高校生	kōkōsei	SHS student
大学生等	daigakusei tō	University student, etc.
その他	sonota	Other
非公表	hikōhyō	Undisclosed
調査中	chōsachū	Under investigation
計	kei	Total
(8)クラスター / Clusters
新規クラスター / New clusters
保健所	hokenjo	Health Care Center
区分	kubun	Type
人数（本日公表分）	ninzū (honjitsu kōhyōbun)	Number of cases (publicized today)
累計人数	ruikei ninzū	Total number of cases so far
概要	gaiyō	Outline
備考	bikō	Notes
公表済みクラスター / Previously publicized clusters
保健所	hokenjo	Health Care Center
公表日	kōhyōbi	Date of publication
区分	kubun	Type
人数（本日公表分）	ninzū (honjitsu kōhyōbun)	Number of cases (publicized today)
累計人数	ruikei ninzū	Total number of cases so far
備考	bikō	Notes
区分 / Type (entries in this column) (sometimes listed as クラスター（〇〇）)
学校クラスター	gakkō kurasutā	School cluster
保育園クラスター	hoikuen kurasutā	Nursery school cluster
施設クラスター	shisetsu kurasutā	Facility cluster
高齢者施設クラスター	kōreisha shisetsu kurasutā	Elderly care facility cluster
障害児施設クラスター	shōgaiji shisetsu kurasutā	Facility for disabled children cluster
事業所クラスター	jigyōsho kurasutā	Office cluster
職場クラスター	shokuba kurasutā	Workplace cluster
病院クラスター	byōin kurasutā	Medical institution cluster
クリニッククラスター	kurinikku kurasutā	Medical clinic cluster
会食クラスター	kaishoku kurasutā	Group dining cluster
飲食店クラスター	inshokuten kurasutā	Restaurant cluster
サークルクラスター	sākuru kurasutā	Activity group cluster
自衛隊クラスター	jieitai kurasutā	JSDF (Japan Self Defense Force) cluster
行政機関クラスター	gyōsei kikan kurasutā	Government office cluster
秋田市公表クラスター（〇〇）	Akitashi kōhyō kurasutā (〇〇)	Akita City publicized cluster (type)
概要 / Outline (entries in this column)
管内の〇〇において 複数の感染者を確認	kannai no 〇〇 ni oite fukusū no kansensha wo kakunin	Multiple cases confirmed at a 〇〇 within the HCC area

International travel during COVID-19

See also: Traveling in and out of Japan

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel requirements and restrictions changed rapidly. However many of the restrictions listed in this section have since been eased in conjunction with COVID-19's reclassification as a Category 5 disease.

Plan your travel as far as in advance as possible and allow for extra time for testing and quarantine time, and check your airline and destination area's website for the most updated prevention measures and entry information.

Please inform your BOE, supervisor, and/or Contracting Organization, especially if you plan on traveling internationally. This is good advice even with relaxed COVID-19 preventative measures.

At the height of the pandemic, there were additional quarantine procedures required should any positive tests from yourself or other passengers arise through your international travel (as your travel activity may be tracked during re-entry). Some airlines, host countries, and destination countries required a specific (and up-to-date) vaccination or a booster, proof of vaccination, as well as a negative COVID-19 test result before travel. You had to check with each country you plan on disembarking at and the airlines you flew with to ensure you will be able to leave and arrive with minimal problems or delays.

If you did not meet the requirements of any of the involved parties, you risked being denied boarding or entry into the country without any refund. In some extreme cases, you risked being sent back to your country of origin.

Vaccinations, boosters, and masks

Note: vaccinations are no longer required for entry into Japan

Only the following vaccines are currently approved for entry into Japan.

• Pfizer (COMIRNATY)
• Moderna (aka Spikevax)
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
• Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)

(Mixing/matching 1st and 2nd doses within approved vaccines are acceptable)

Only the following vaccine boosters (third dose or injection) are currently approved for entry into Japan:

• Pfizer (COMIRNATY)
• Moderna (aka Spikevax)

(Mixing/matching between approved vaccines and approved boosters are acceptable, for example, Pfizer vaccine with a Moderna booster)

These will be accompanied with a government-issued certificate which is necessary for an international vaccine certification. Please check if your vaccine or booster timeline has not expired before your travel.

Many airports and airlines may enforce a mask policy as well. Regardless of your home country laws, vaccine status, or viewpoint on masks, you are subject to the local laws and regulations of the host or visiting country, so please be aware of them and follow them as you are also subject to their penalties as well.

International vaccine certificate

Note: vaccination certificates are no longer required to enter Japan

• For a paper vaccination certification for international travel, you will need to fill out the application form (available at your local municipality office) and have your passport and vaccination paperwork and submit them to your local city hall. A My Number card is not necessary.

• For a digital vaccine certification, you must have a My Number card from your local municipality. If you do not have one, you will need to apply for one at your local municipality city hall or office. The digital version may utilize the My Number portal app.

The digital certificate app is called "新型コロナワクチン接種証明書アプリ" or "接種証明書" for short. You can download it below:

Apple version
Android version

What does my airline require?

When you book your trip through an agent or 3rd party website, it will inform you that you will need to check with your airline about travel restrictions and requirements. You are responsible for checking with the airline's website about what is required to board a flight. Do not check with your booking agent nor a 3rd party website as they may not have the most updated nor accurate information. They will not be held responsible for any incorrect/outdated information.

Also note that some airlines will not require a proof of vaccination or PCR/antigen test. However, this does not supersede any country's requirements for entry.

What does my country require?

This will vary by country.

Some countries will require proof of vaccination. Make sure you have one suitable for international travel, or it may get rejected. Some countries will require testing within a specific period of time of travel. Some will require quarantine, so make sure you've allotted enough time in your travel to accommodate.

Some common countries' websites for JETs:
United States
Canada
England
Australia
New Zealand
Philippines
South Africa
Ireland
Jamaica
Singapore
China
Trinidad & Tobago
South Korea
Germany
France (in French language)
Barbados
Russia

Which test (PCR or antigen) and where can I get tested?

Note: Negative PCR/Antigen test results are no longer required for entry into Japan

• If you're traveling from Tokyo, the Tokyo Cancer Clinic offers quick turnaround for PCR results, usually within half a day. Plus the website is in English. However, they do not offer antigen tests.

• The Kinoshita Group is available nationwide and they also offer an antigen test as well as PCR testing. If you're departing from Haneda (HND), Kinoshita also has testing available at the airport for affordable prices. The website is in Japanese.

• Testing is also available at Narita (NRT) airport and while it is a PCR test with a 2-hour turnaround, the cost is very high at about 23,000yen.

• Testing is also available at Haneda (HND) airport through Toho University. 2-4 hours turnaround, 20,000 yen.

You will need to refer to your airline and country's requirements if you either need a PCR test or an antigen test. The PCR test, while more accurate takes longer for the results, sometimes they can be returned within 12 hours. The antigen test results however can take only 30-60 minutes. Follow the guidelines to your situation accordingly.

Some countries will require a test within 24 hours. In this case, it's best to take your test nearest to the airport as possible (or some airports will have testing available on location, please search your airport's website for availability).

You may need to have the MySOS app on your smartphone for the results. Please make sure you have it set up before your travel, as it may require additional documents to operate.

Make a reservation for your test as earliest as possible. Spots can fill up very quickly during peak travel seasons, and your airline/destination country will not be able to make an exception if you do not have the requirements for travel.

What do I need to return to Japan?

You will need to get tested before returning to Japan. As long as the test is within 72 hours of your travel, it will be acceptable. Your clinic will need to fill out a valid certificate for a negative result in order for re-entry. Please check with your clinic if they will fill this form out for you before testing.

There are stories of the re-entry process taking 2-4 hours, so please allow yourself enough time upon re-entry.

Please refer to the MHLW website about border measures for more information.

You can also apply for FastTrack using the MySOS app on your phone to speed up re-entry procedures (registering at least 2 weeks before your return flight is highly advisable).

Quarantines

If you cannot provide proof of vaccination, vaccine booster, or have contracted COVID-19 recently, you may be subject to additional prevention measures.

Cost for testing and quarantines and arrangements will fall to the responsibility of the traveler. Research your options before you travel as these costs can be very high.

Publications concerning COVID-19 from Akita Prefecture

English translations of emergency publications (緊急広報; kinkyū kōhō) and other publications from the Akita prefectural government to residents concerning COVID-19.

EMERGENCY PUBLICATION!! (8 April, 2020) "緊急広報！！"

The "red notice".
Original .pdf has been removed from the prefectural website, but it can be found on the Akita City website here

~COVID-19 cases are increasing~

A message from the governor to Akita residents

April sees an increase in travel between prefectures due to the beginning of the fiscal year. There has been a rise in infection cases transmitted by people travelling from regions heavily affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

In order to protect the health and safety of all Akita residents, anyone who has recently traveled to, or has plans to travel to, Akita should assess their physical health and act as though they may be a carrier for the virus.

Everyone - not just travelers themselves, but also their family, friends, and those around them - should consider the following points carefully, and seek professional advice.

1. People who have travelled to Akita in the last 2 weeks

   Anyone who has travelled to Akita for any reason (including but not limited to: moving, visiting family, returning from vacation or business), especially travellers from the Tokyo area or other regions heavily affected by the COVID-19 outbreak (including abroad), are strongly advised to avoid leaving their home unnecessarily for the next 2 weeks.

   Additionally, residents should keep contact with others to the absolute minimum, wear face masks both outside and inside the home, and act as though they may be a carrier for the virus.

2. Family and friends of people planning to come to Akita

   Before coming to Akita, contact those traveling to thoroughly asses their physical health and advise them to call the Consultation Center for Returnees and Persons in Contact to receive professional advice.

3. Please avoid any unnecessary travel to other prefectures or abroad.

• Avoid the Three Cs!

Avoid: closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact situations - especially when all three overlap.

• STOP CORONAVIRUS HARASSMENT

There have been cases of harmful and slanderous actions against healthcare workers, people infected with the COVID-19, and their families over social media, etc. based on unreliable information. Such actions are a violation of human rights.

Please act responsibly in accordance with accurate information.

State of Emergency Declaration Extended (6 May, 2020) "緊急事態宣言 延長"

The "orange notice".
Original .pdf has been removed from the prefectural website, but it can be found on the Akita City website here

Declaration of State of Emergency Extended to 31 May

In accordance with the national government extending the declaration of state of emergency to 31 May, Akita Prefecture has extended the state of emergency to the same date. While this will place a burden on the residents of prefecture, it is a measure to bring about the end of the dangers of SARS-CoV-2 as soon as possible, so we ask for your continued cooperation.

Requests to residents of Akita Prefecture:

1. DO NOT LEAVE THE PREFECTURE! DO NOT INVITE OTHERS FROM OUTSIDE THE PREFECTURE!

   • Unless absolutely necessary, do not partake in movement across the prefectural border; such as visiting other prefectures, returning home to Akita, etc.
   • To those who have come from outside the prefecture, assume that you are a carrier of SARS-CoV-2; stay at home for two weeks, and keep contact with others to an absolute minimum.

2. AVOID CLOSED SPACES, CROWDED PLACES, CLOSE-CONTACT SITUATIONS

   • Refrain from singing karaoke in any situation.
   • Do not participate in meetings or events in which indefinitely large numbers of people will participate.

3. MAINTAIN DISTANCE FROM OTHERS
4. WEAR A MASK WHENEVER GOING OUT
5. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY

Requests to business owners:

Period of closure: from (Thu) 7 May, 2020 to (Thu) 14 May, 2020

Businesses, closed from 25 April to 6 May, such as the following have seen outbreaks of clusters, so the period of closure for the following businesses shall be continued.

• Entertainment establishments:

Cabaret clubs, night clubs, bars (some), snack bars, music venues, box-type karaoke venues

• Exercise establishments:

Sports clubs (fitness gyms, sports gyms, etc.)

The period of closure for other business shall be lifted on 7 May. Please be thorough with COVID-19 prevention measures such as: limiting the number of customers, providing hand disinfectant, ventilating, maintaining distance between customers, etc. In eateries, for example, avoid the use of private rooms which are closed spaces, set up partitions between seats, etc.

• The Fight against SARS-CoV-2

Our appreciation to everyone involved in the medical field; thank you!

• STOP CORONAVIRUS HARASSMENT

There have been cases of harmful and slanderous actions against healthcare workers, people infected with the COVID-19, and their families over social media, etc. based on unreliable information. Such actions are a violation of human rights. Please act responsibly in accordance with accurate information.

Coronavirus Message from the Governor (16 May, 2020) "知事から県民の皆さまへのメッセージ"

The "blue notice".
Original .pdf can be found on the Akita Prefectural website here

Coronavirus

A message from the governor to Akita residents

In light of the national government having lifted its state of emergency declaration for 39 prefectures, in which Akita is included, we conclude our emergency measures in this prefecture. I offer my sincere gratitude to all Akita residents, without whose cooperation this could not have been achieved.

However, the spread domestically of the disease has not yet been contained; our fight against the coronavirus is not over. Do not let your guard down, and please continue to be thorough with measures to prevent the spread, and to avoid unnecessary travel across the prefectural border.

The Akita prefectural government will work to improve and strengthen medical availability, as well as work out broad economic measures aimed at the recovery of economic activities, and be speedy in our implementation of them. Thank you again for your continued support and understanding.

Requests to residents of Akita Prefecture:

1. AVOID UNECCESSARY TRAVEL ACROSS THE PREFECTURAL BORDER

   (Especially to areas under high alert: Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo [current 14 May])

   • In the event of unavoidable travel, please take all available precautions to prevent the spread of the disease

2. AVOID CLOSED SPACES, CROWDED PLACES, CLOSE-CONTACT SITUATIONS

   • Refrain from singing karaoke in any situation.
   • Do not participate in meetings or events in which indefinitely large numbers of people will participate.
   • Maintain distance from others.

3. WEAR A MASK, WASH HANDS WITH SOAP!

Requests to business owners:

Please be thorough with COVID-19 prevention measures, such as those listed here.

• Disallowing those with fever from entering the premises

• Check temperatures and physical condition of staff and customers.
• In the event of fever or feeling unwell, suspend their work duties (staff) or limit their entrance (customers)

• Prevent closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact situations

• Take steps to limit entry to customers and the prevent the formation of lines.
• Ventilate appropriately.
• Cancel any crowded meetings (utilize phone or web meetings instead).

• Prevent droplet infection, contact infection

• Have staff and customers wear masks, disinfect hands, observe coughing etiquette, wash hands.
• Disinfect store/workplace surfaces regularly.
• Disallow use of air dryers in bathrooms.
• Set up plastic sheet curtains or dividers.

• Prevent spread during transit

• Stagger work times, commute by car, bike, walk, etc.
• Work from home via teleworking.
• Limit business trips by utilizing phone or web meetings.
• Limit number of visitors.

For example measures specific to each type of establishment, please see the Akita prefectural website (Document No. 49784).

• The Fight against SARS-CoV-2

Our appreciation to everyone involved in the medical field; thank you!

• STOP CORONAVIRUS HARASSMENT

There have been cases of harmful and slanderous actions against healthcare workers, people infected with the COVID-19, and their families over social media, etc. based on unreliable information. Such actions are a violation of human rights. Please act responsibly in accordance with accurate information.

Coronavirus Request from the Governor (18 July, 2020) "県民の皆さまへのお願い"

The "second orange notice".

Coronavirus

Request from the Governor to residents

Even though the national government's Go To Travel Campaign is about to start, the spread of the coronavirus is increasing in many large cities, including but not limited to those in the capital region. We strongly request that you do your utmost to avoid leisure travel to regions which are experiencing increased cases of the coronavirus, such as the capital region. Consider that travel plans which start and end in Tokyo, plans with Tokyo as the destination, and travelers who reside in Tokyo have been exempted from the Go To Travel Campaign. Please understand that the individual actions of every resident of Akita Prefecture effect not just yourself, but also those around you. Your actions can protect our society.

Regarding travel to and from the capital region, etc.

CONDUCT TRAVEL TO THE CAPITAL REGION, ETC. WITH CAUTION!

• Do your utmost to avoid leisure travel to regions, such as the capital region, which are experience an increase in the spread of the number of cases.
• If the visit is absolutely unavoidable, please take this time to reconsider all variables: the necessity of the visit, whether or not you can postpone, the regions/facilities which you will visit, the number of days of your stay, the number of people going, etc.
• Medical staff, welfare workers, and education staff should exercise an even greater level of caution.

TRAVEL WHICH SHOULD BE AVOIDED

• Sightseeing
• Leisure (sports matches, concerts, leisure facilities, etc.)
• Visiting friends (excepting cases requiring immediacy)

TRAVEL WHICH IS UNAVOIDABLE

• Business trips
• Test-taking
• Job-hunting activities
• Funerals
• Caregiving, etc.

Please thoroughly evaluate each visit on a case-by-base basis, and use caution when coming to a decision.

Do not go to high-risk places!

• Avoid meals in places where the 3Cs overlap, or restaurants in night-life entertainment districts used for entertaining guests.
• Avoid crowds as much as possible.
• During visits, be thorough with personal hygiene policies, such as wearing masks and washing hands.

Do not let your guard down after you return!

• If you feel any abnormality in your health, contact a Consultation Center for Returnees and Persons in Contact early.
• In order to keep the risk of infection as low as possible, observe 2 weeks of self-quarantine.

Regarding returning home to Akita for summer holidays/obon

If you have family in other areas, please convey these points to them.

• If you are in anything but excellent health, do not return to Akita.
• Especially since young people can be asymptomatic, if you do return to Akita, avoid gatherings or going out, and be careful when interacting with women who are pregnant, young children, and the elderly.

Requests to business owners

• Please follow the Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Infection to ensure that customers may visit your business without worry.
• Especially lodging facilities should thoroughly keep in mind prevention measures.

Please use the following resources to help fight the spread of infection

• Akita Prefecture Official Line Account
• Akita Prefectural Coronavirus Alert System
• Contact Tracing App COCOA
• Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Infection by Business Type

Request to all Residents (23 April, 2021) "県民の皆さまへのお願い"

The "second red notice".

Request from the governor to all prefectural residents

to prevent the spread of the coronavirus

The coronavirus is spreading rapidly in all areas across the country. Even in our prefecture, instances of multiple coronavirus cases linked together, including the outbreak of clusters, have been identified. The threat of a rapid spread of infections exists. Therefore, I strongly request that all residents, except in absolutely unavoidable instances, refrain from travel to and from outside the prefecture.

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TRAVEL TO AND FROM OUTSIDE THE PREFECTURE

Travel which is unavoidable

• Business trips※
• Test-taking
• Job-hunting activities
• Funerals
• Caregiving, etc.

Travel which should be avoided

• Sightseeing
• Leisure (sports matches, concerts, leisure facilities, etc.)
• Visiting home, etc.

1. Families, advise your family members living outside the prefecture not to visit Akita
2. When traveling unavoidably, avoid crowds and group meals, and thoroughly monitor your health upon return
3. Refrain from group meals with indefinitely large numbers or travelers from outside the prefecture

※Regarding business trips to areas for which a state of emergency has been declared, excepting business relating to transport/logistics, maintenance of facilities, etc., please consider implementing remote work.

Be thorough with basic prevention measures!

• Wear a mask
• Wash your hands thoroughly
• Maintain distance from others
• Avoid the 3Cs

Let's enjoy the Golden Week holidays within the prefecture!

Request to all Residents (15 February, 2022) "県民の皆さまへのお願い"

The "third orange notice".

Preventative measures based on the characteristics of the Omicron strain

Request to all Residents

The Omicron strain is extremely more contagious compared with previous strains, and new clusters are frequent within the prefecture. To prevent the spread of infection, we need to be careful not just of "droplets," but also of "micro droplets" which remain in the air. "Correctly wearing nonwoven masks," "maintaining appropriate distance from others," "frequent ventilation," etc. are preventative measures that should be followed even more thoroughly.

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Wearing nonwoven masks and following 3Cs measures is essential!

The risk of spreading infection over a 15-minute conversation is...

• if you are not wearing a mask and within 50cm:

  ALMOST 100%!

• even if you are wearing a mask but within 50cm:

  AT MOST ABOUT 10%

• if you are wearing a mask and are 1m apart or more:

  LOW RISK OF SPREADING INFECTION

(created by Akita Prefecture based on research results from the Tomitake Anti-Corona Project Droplet Infection Team - Scientific Research Center, Kobe University)

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Examples of situations where spread of infection has occurred without masks

• At home

  Group dining with friends or acquaintances

• At work

  Eating or talking during breaks

• At club activities

  Shouting during practice, talking during rests

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WEAR MASKS CORRECTLY!

• Choose a size that fits you, with no gaps
• Even when wearing a mask, maintain enough distance
• No wearing masks below your nose or on your chin!

VENTILIATE THOROUGHLY, EVEN IN WINTER!

• Be especially cautious when people gather
• Aim for 5 minutes once every 30 minutes
• Make good use of ventilation fans
• Don't create spaces with poor airflow

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Inoculation sites in Akita Prefecture

You can get a 3rd shot at the following inoculation site.

[Place] Akita Foundation for Health Care, Central Examination Center

[Inoculation Dates] Sundays and Holidays from 20 February to 27 March, 2022

[Vaccine Type] Takeda/Moderna vaccine

[How to Make a Reservation]

• Reservation Website: https://akitapref-va.com/
• Akita Vaccine Reservation Help Desk: 0570-015-018 ("Navi-dial") hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm

*Limited to those with a booster (3rd) shot voucher issued by a municipality within Akita Prefecture. For details, visit the Reservation Website or call the Reservation Help Desk.

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Holding the "Binokuni Akita" Kazuno 2022 National Sports Tournament

During the holding of this event (Thu, 2/17 ~ Sun, 2/20), we will be thorough with preventative measures so that this tournament will be safe not just for participants and staff, but also for local community members. We request your understanding and your cooperation.

Preventative Measures

• All attendees, such as participants and staff, will undergo a PCR prior to entry; and everyone who enters the premises will undergo an antigen test.
• Competitions will be held with no spectators
• The opening ceremony will be canceled
• Lodging has been secured in the event of positive test results
• Refraining from visiting sites other than competition grounds or lodging facilities
• etc.

[For Reference] Major sports tournaments held this season:

Ibaraki National Skating/Ice Hockey Competition (Ibaraki Prefecture)*, All-Japan JHS Ski Tournament (Nagano Prefecture)*, All-Japan SHS Ski Tournement (Iwate Prefecture), All-Japan SHS Skating/Ice Hockey Championship (Aomori Prefecture)

*Held under quasi-state of emergency

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If you don't know where to turn, or if medical institutions are closed for weekend or holiday, contact the Akita Novel Coronavirus Consultation Center."

24/7: 018-866-7050

8:00am~5:00pm(7 days/week): 018-895-9176

8:00am~5:00pm(7 days/week): 0570-011-567

Akita Prefecture

COVID-19 to be Reclassified as Category 5 (8 May, 2023) "感染症法上の分類が「５類感染症」に変更されます"

The "Category 5 notice".

Basic preventative measures continue to be effective

• Washing hands
• Ventilating
• Mask wearing (up to the individual)

Registration of COVID-19 patients, as well as hospital recommendations, workplace restrictions and calls for self isolation will end.
However, COVID-19 has not disappeared. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to those at high risk, such as the elderly and those with preexisting conditions, please continue to cooperate with measures depending on each circumstance and with treatment if you become infected.

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Points Concerning the Change to Category 5 in Akita Prefecture

To continue after 8 May

(until at least to the end of September)

• Prefectural Consultation Center
• Stay facilities for COVID-19 patients

To end on 7 May

• Support for those recovering on house rest
• Distribution of test kits
• COVID-19 patient registration center

Receiving medical attention for COVID-19 as of 8 May:

• If your symptoms are severe (etc.)
  1. Visit a medical institution
     • availability at a wide range of institutions
     • always contact the institution in advance
  2. If you test positive for COVID-19, physician will prescribe either hospitalization or house rest
• If you do not have preexisting conditions (etc.)
  1. Perform a self test
     • purchase a COVID-19 test kit (prepare in advance)
     • get tested at a pharmacy, etc. (contact in advance)
  2. If you test positive for COVID-19, recover on house rest
  3. If your symptoms worsen, contact the Prefectural Consultation Center
• If you desire a specific institution (etc.)
  1. Contact the Prefectural Consultation Center

Avoiding unnecessary outings as of 8 May, 2023
These measures are not enforced by law. Please consult the table below when making your own decision.

Day 0	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10
First symptoms (onset)	Avoid unnecessary outings for 5 days after the onset of symptoms, and up to 24 hours after the symptoms alleviate					Consider wearing a mask, and avoiding contact with those at high risk, for 10 days after the onset of symptoms

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Medical expenses

To be borne by the individual

However, aid is available in the following cases:

(until at least the end of September)

• Highly priced COVID-19 medicine will be fully subsidized
• Costs over \20,000 to be borne by the individual in the event of COVID-19 hospitalization

COVID-19 vaccinations

To be fully subsidized in fiscal year 2023

For high-risk individuals, such as the elderly and those with preexisting conditions, as well as medical staff:

• To be offered twice; once in spring/summer (May through August) and once in fall/winter (September through December)

For others aged 5 and up:

• To be offered once; in fall/winter (September through December)

*Vaccinations are not mandatory, but high-risk individuals should consider getting vaccinated twice a year. Please avoid discriminating against individuals who are not vaccinated.

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Akita Prefectural COVID-19 Consultation Center

8:00~17:00

• ☎018-895-9176

17:00~8:00(next day)

• ☎018-866-7050

Notice from Akita Prefecture (1 April, 2024) "秋田県からのお知らせ"

The "Standard Medical-Care System notice".

COVID-19 to be Covered by the Standard Medical-Care System starting April

(新型コロナウイルス感染症は４月から通常医療体制になります)

Special outpatient services and the COVID-19 beds system to be abolished.

Starting in April, patients' burden of medical expenses will change

At end of March support from public funds to end.
COVID-19 medication expenses: Lagevrio (Molnupiravir) Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) Xocova (Ensitrelvir) Veklury (Remdesivir)	To be settled at point of acquisition according to percentage of medical fees to be borne by patient
Medical fees	Eligible for High-cost Medical Expenses Reimbursement program Fees accrued at medical expenses and pharmacies over a one-month period to be reimbursed if in excess of the limit
At end of March full public funding of inoculations to end.
Vaccine inoculation fees	To be borne in principle by the patient Municipalities to run regular inoculation programs aimed at residents over 65, etc. Residents not eligible for regular inoculation programs can elect to receive inoculations on a voluntary basis (For details, consult your municipal government of residence)

Please continue to give concern to medical institutions

• If you have a fever, make sure you call your medical institution ahead of your visit
• Please refrain from being seen at a medical institution solely for the purpose of receiving a certificate of treatment
• Please keep a stock of fever medicine that you can take in the event of fever or when you otherwise feel unwell

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MHLW COVID-19 Hotline to continue operations from April onward.

0120-565653 (free)

Available: from 9am to 9pm (including weekends and holidays)

Akita Prefectural services to conclude at end of March:

• Medical institution recommendation hotline
• Line COVID-19 consultations
• List of medical institutions accepting COVID-19 outpatients

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Let's continue with basic preventative measures

• Wash and disinfect hands
• Ventilate
• Wear a mask

  Situations where mask wearing is effective:

  • When you visit a medical institution or elderly care facility, or when you receive medical treatment
  • When you ride a crowded bus or train, like during rush hour

CLAIR FAQs for Contracting Organizations

CLAIR has issued several FAQs to Contracting Organizations concerning JETs' work duties and their relationship to the coronavirus pandemic. While CLAIR does not have authority over each CO's decision-making process, these FAQs serve as guidelines for COs when they make decisions regarding JETs. Remember that these questions are being asked from the perspective of Contracting Organizations.

CLAIR FAQ (12 March, 2020)

1. Our ALTs have no work to do because of the temporary school closure. May we grant them special, paid leave?

   If Japanese staff are still attending work normally, special leave should not be given to ALTs only. However, this is only CLAIR's viewpoint, and we do not prohibit the granting of special leave at the discretion of the Contracting Organization.

2. Our ALTs have no work to do because of the temporary school closure. May we put them on unpaid leave?

   CLAIR does not authorize the decision to forcefully put JETs on unpaid leave.

3. Our ALTs have no work to do because of the temporary school closure. May we require our ALTs to take yearly paid leave during this time?

   The taking of yearly paid leave should not be forced. However, if the JET wishes to paid leave during this time, there is no problem. On the other hand, if the JET does not have enough remaining yearly paid leave, failure to attend work will be counted as absence from work. Contracting Organizations should consider carefully whether or not this absence from work is for an unavoidable reason.

4. Our ALTs have no work to do because of the temporary school closure, and they have contacted us saying they have nothing to do. How should we respond?

   ALTs should use this time to improve their abilities, such as improving their teaching skills or studying Japanese.

5. May we have our ALTs work from home?

   This is possible at the discretion of the Contracting Organization. However, this decision should reflect policy that applies to Japanese staff as well.

6. A JET participant has expressed interest in temporarily returning to their home country out of fears of contracting COVID-19. Is this possible?

   This may be authorized within the limits of yearly paid leave. However, if the JET does not have enough remaining yearly paid leave, failure to attend work will be counted as absence from work. Contracting Organizations should consider carefully whether or not this absence from work is for an unavoidable reason.

7. A JET participant returned to their home country temporarily, but has not undergone rehiring procedures as of 1 April. Their yearly paid leave has also run out, and they are absent from work; may we elect not to rehire them?

   According to the JET Programme hiring outline, standard participation on the JET Programme is for a period of one year. Rehiring procedures are necessitated for JET participants on 1 April, 2020 in accordance with their rehiring as Workers Employed for the Fiscal Year. However, as stated above, their period of participation is one year, so their being rehired on 1 April is established as a predetermined condition.
   Even though JET participants are Workers Employed for the Fiscal Year, consideration is given to their special circumstances; please rehire them.

8. Are there any materials in English regarding COVID-19 measures?

   CLAIR provides information on our website for foreign residents and foreign visitors in Japan. You can find that information here: http://www.clair.or.jp/tabunka/portal/info/information/index.php

9. How should we handle a JET participant who will finish their contract in April but is unable to return to their home country?

   Currently they may not extend their term of appointment. However, in the event they have difficulty returning to their home country within one month of the end of their term of appointment, please consider providing their return airfare even after the one-month period has passed. Furthermore, if the JET participant wishes to return to their home country before the end of their term of appointment, and the Contracting Organization is in agreement, it is possible to provide their return airfare under the conditions stipulated in the Terms and Conditions Article 9, Section 3. However, please keep in mind that the JET accident insurance coverage period ends 30 April for April arrivals, and 31 August for summer arrivals.

10. (China/Korea) Will April arrivals be delayed? If they are delayed, when will they arrive?

    The situation regarding COVID-19 is constantly in a state of flux; please contact CLAIR for up-to-date information.

11. (Brazil/Peru/English-speaking countries) Will April arrivals be delayed?

    Preparations are underway for new JETs to arrive on April 12th as planned. However, the situation regarding COVID-19 is constantly in a state of flux; please contact CLAIR for up-to-date information.

12. We have received questions from one of our scheduled April arrivals asking when arrivals will take place. What should we do?

    If you receive requests from participants about when arrivals will take place, etc., please refer them to the consulate which issued them their notice of acceptance.

13. What will happen to the Post-arrival Orientation schedule?

    Deliberations are currently underway regarding the content. Please contact CLAIR for up-to-date information.

Three Ministries & CLAIR FAQ (27 March, 2020)

This FAQ was prepared by the three ministries - MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications), MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) - in collaboration with CLAIR (Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) to be used as a reference by Contracting Organizations in the event JET Programme participants come to them with questions concerning COVID-19.

1. What is the state of the spread of COVID-19 in Japan?

   For up-to-date information regarding the situation of the spread of COVID-19 in Japan, please refer to information provided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on their website listed below.

   MHLW HP: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html

   Furthermore, for up-to-date information on the measures being enacted by the Japanese government in response to COVID-19, please refer to the page below.

   Office of the PM HP: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/ongoingtopics/_00011.html

2. What is the state of JET Programme participants' working conditions?

   For JET Programme participants, as with Japanese staff, we are enforcing a measures such as teleworking and staggered work times to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, if a JET participant wishes to take leave, then it is possible to do so at the discretion of the Contracting Organization. Working conditions and handling of leave will differ based on the situation at each Contracting Organization, so first and foremost, please consult with your Contracting Organization.

3. How is the situation at schools (school closures, plans to re-open, etc.) at which ALTs work?

   In response to the instructions given by the prime minister on 27 February, and with the view to prevent the risk of infection, MEXT has requested that all schools across the country close. Almost all elementary, junior high and senior high schools complied with this request. Afterward, MEXT issued guidelines for reopening schools on 24 March. As of April, based on conditions in each area, classes are expected to restart (Japanese schools are typically closed for spring break from late March to early April).

   The guidelines state that, even after schools reopen, vigilance must be maintained and COVID-19 measures must absolutely be continued. At schools where cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in students or staff after reopening, appropriate steps shall be taken to place these schools on temporary closure. In addition to the reopening guidelines, MEXT has also issued guidelines for such temporary closures.

   Furthermore, we are petitioning local governments, etc., to be flexible with the measures they take. For example, as with other educational staff, measures such as allowing ALTs to work from home or staggering their work times, even if classes are being conducted, should be pursued to the extent possible based on school and local conditions. Alternatively, if there is no need for ALTs to attend school, they can be allowed to work from home or have their work duties lifted.

   MEXT HP:

   https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20200324-mxt_kouhou01-000004520_1.pdf (Japanese)

   (Guidelines for reopening education)

   https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20200326-mxt_kouhou01-000004520_1.pdf (Japanese)

   (Consideration given to ALTs' work duties)

4. What is the state of measures being enacted to ensure the safety of JET Programme participants?

   For their safety, we hope that JET participants will comply with instructions and notices from Contracting Organizations which are in response spread of COVID-19 in the local area.

   In the hypothetical event that a JET participant contracts COVID-19, they should be allowed to take sick leave or, if they display fever or cold-like symptoms which prevent them from performing duties, they should be allowed to take special leave. If a JET participant is confirmed as a person in close contact with a confirmed case, and their continued presence at work could lead to the further spread of COVID-19, they should be allowed to work from home or to have their work duties lifted. We have contacted Contracting Organizations that they should continue to take appropriate measures, such as those listed above, in accordance with their own rules and regulations.

5. What measures is the JET Programme taking with regard to the spread of COVID-19?

   In light of the spread of COVID-19, we as the JET Programme consider that securing the health and safety of JET participants to be extremely important. We are continuing to monitor the situation and to proceed with measures in accordance with such. Just as an example, we have posted on the CLAIR website multilingual information aimed at foreigners regarding COVID-19, the measures being taken to combat it, and COVID-19 call centers. The link to this website has been disseminated through the CLAIR News mailing list. We continue to update this site as the situation changes.

   CLAIR Homepage: http://www.clair.or.jp/tabunka/portal/info/information/index.php

6. Are JET Programme participants who are currently working Japan being instructed to remain in Japan? Are they being instructed to return to their home countries?

   As the JET Programme, we are not giving instructions to JET Programme participants to return to their home countries.

7. Is it possible for JET Programme participants who are currently working in Japan to either return to their home countries temporarily or to cancel their participation on the Programme and return to their home countries permanently?

   If JET participants wish, they may return to their home countries temporarily. But, given the Japanese government's immigration restrictions and the status/availability of commercial flights, it may not be possible for them to return to Japan. We ask that JET participants thoroughly consult with their Contracting Organizations before doing so.

   Additionally, we would hope that JET participants would thoroughly consult with their Contracting Organizations before returning to their home countries permanently before the end of their contracts. Note that, in principle, return airfare is provided only in the event that the term of appointment is completed.

8. Has this had any impact on the arrival schedule of 2020 new arrivals?

   April arrivals - given the conditions in countries around the world, the arrival timetable has been postponed. The new arrival date will be decided at later date, taking into consideration such factors as the Japanese government's lifting of visa restrictions and quarantine regulations, renewed availability of air travel, etc.

   September arrivals - our current plan is to proceed on schedule. But whatever happens, it is essential that new arrivals both arrive in Japan safely, and be able to proceed to their postings at Contracting Organizations smoothly. Therefore we will continue to carefully monitor the situation and will take any necessary precautions.

CLAIR FAQ #2 (15 April, 2020)

The content of this FAQ updates (and in some cases overrides) the CLAIR FAQ dated 12 March, 2020

1. (Updated) Even if Japanese staff are attending work, can we authorize our ALTs to work from home or place them on special leave?

   Equal consideration should be given to fairly ensure the health and safety of both ALTs and Japanese teaching staff. However, because the work conditions of an ALT and of a Japanese teacher differ greatly, it is not the case that you must apply identical measures to both of them. Rather, based on the actual situation in each workplace and in the local community, Contracting Organizations are urged to be flexible when taking measures. Also, even with Japanese teachers as well, measures recommended by MEXT may be enacted, such as working from home, or having their work duties lifted, etc.

2. (Updated) Our ALTs are in a situation where they have few to no classes to assist because of an extension of the temporary school closure. May we put them on unpaid leave?

   CLAIR does not authorize the decision to forcefully put JETs on unpaid leave.

3. (Updated) Our ALTs are in a situation where they have few to no classes to assist because of an extension of the temporary school closure, and they have contacted us saying they have nothing to do. How should we respond?

   ALTs should take measures based on the actual situation in their communities and schools such as assisting with preparation of class materials, supporting students in their home learning, etc. Additionally, ALTs should use this time to improve their abilities, such as improving their teaching skills or studying Japanese. Furthermore, it isn't necessarily the case that ALTs need to be present at their workplaces to fulfill these duties; rather, it is conceivable that they may be able to perform them at their place of residence, etc. Contracting Organizations should be flexible when adopting measures, ensuring the health and safety of their ALTs.

   (For example, during a school closure) Upon consultation with teaching staff, ALTs could prepare homework for students either during or after the school closure. Or, they could correct students' work and provide feedback. Alternatively, they could write letters or send video messages to students. They could also provide remote lessons online for students with fellow teachers.

4. (Updated) What should we be careful of when having our ALTs work from home or staggering their work times?

   Your top priority should be the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Please act in accordance with the Three Ministries & CLAIR FAQ dated 27 March, 2020.

5. (New) Foreign embassies in Japan are requesting that their nationals decide immediately whether they wish to return home or whether they wish to remain in Japan indefinitely. Our JET participants feel unease after having received this request; how should we handle this?

   Whether they continue to stay in Japan, or whether they return to their home country, the safety of your JET participants should be your top priority. Given the recent spread of COVID-19, Contracting Organizations should thoroughly explain the current situation at schools and in the local community to JETs who feel unease. COs should also not only work to alleviate that unease, but also be flexible in the measures they adopt to handle JET participants' work duties, including such measures as listed in Questions 1, 2 and 3 of this FAQ.

   Furthermore, it is reasonable to assume that there are JET participants who wish to faithfully complete their terms of appointment, but also fear that, if they remain in Japan for the duration of their terms of appointment, they will face difficulty returning to their home countries, such as canceled commercial flights and immigration restrictions. It is for this reason that CLAIR is currently considering making it possible, based on the agreement of both the Contracting Organization and the JET participants, to allow those JET participants to remain past the end of the terms of appointment to continue performing their duties (details about this procedure will be announced at a later date).

   Additionally, in the event you receive a request from a JET participant that they wish to resign their post and return to their home country before the completion of their term of appointment citing reasons related the spread of COVID-19, then, given the state of the world as it is, and considering the JET Programme's role as a program fostering international relations, we urge you to treat that return to their home country as though it were upon the completion of their term of appointment, including, but not limited to, providing their return airfare.

6. (New) One of our JET participants returned home temporarily but now is no longer able to leave their home country. If their term of appointment ends while they are still unable to leave their country, how should we handle their return airfare expenses?

   Given the situation as described above, in principle, the date of their temporary return to their home country does not count as their having completed their term of appointment, and therefore do not meet the requirements to be eligible for return airfare reimbursement.

7. (New) Are there any websites that provide information about COVID-19 in multiple languages?

   (Answer omitted because all of the links are included among those listed on this wiki below)

Abenomasks

Package containing two, nationally-distributed masks; "Abenomasks"

Masks distributed nationally to households in Japan by the national government. They were nicknamed "Abenomasks" (アベノマスク; abenomasuku) because the policy to distribute them was enacted under the administration of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The moniker is a play on the word "Abenomics" (アベノミクス; abenomikusu; the term used to describe economic policy under the Abe administration).

Message from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

To all,

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone for cooperating with efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we request that you please continue to avoid the "Three Cs" (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact situations) and implement the "New Lifestyle." Furthermore, be aware that you yourself may be a carrier for the disease; wear a mask even if you have no symptoms.

At this time, we are distributing two masks to all households. We are aware that this is not a sufficient number. However, these masks are not disposable; they can be reused after washing. We hope that they will be of use to you.

Avoid the 3Cs!

1. Closed spaces with poor ventilation
2. Crowded places with many people nearby
3. Close-contact settings such as close-range conversations

Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare

Distributed by: Masks Supply Measures Section, Economics Division, Health Policy Bureau, MHLW

Contact us: for all questions concerning the distribution of cloth masks to all households:

0120-551-299 (9:00~18:00, available Sat, Sun, holidays)

FAQ

FAQ can be found here (Japanese; external link).

English version can be found here (external link)

Elementary and junior high school students will have their masks distributed through their schools.

For households with two families, etc. please consult this FAQ.

Caring for your Abenomask

You can reuse these masks by washing them.

How to use and wash your cloth masks

(information collected from the manufacturer)

How to wash your cloth masks

1. Using clothing detergent, wash by pressing, not by rubbing.

   About 0.7g (half of a small spoon) of detergent per 2L of water

2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Do not use a dryer, instead hang to dry in the shade.

Frequency of wash

1. These masks will shrink after a wash, but we have confirmed that this presents no quality issues which would prevent multiple reuse.
2. Please wash these masks whenever they get dirty; we recommend once per day

Use of bleach and fabric softener

1. To remove tough stains, use chlorine bleach when washing. Afterward, thoroughly rinse until the smell disappears.

   CAUTION! Use rubber gloves when washing with bleach.

2. Avoid fabric softener when washing your masks.

Laundry (care) symbols

• Hand wash; water temperature limit 40°C
• Do not tumble dry
• Do not iron

YouTube video (external link) showing how to wash your masks.

You can also search the following:

布マスクをご利用のみなだまへ

Methods to prevent the spread of COVID-19

See also: #Methods to prevent the spread of infection on this page

How do we prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2?

Points to pay attention to in daily life

• Above all, washing hands is important. When returning home from outside, before and after cooking, before meals, etc., wash frequently with soap.
• Those with chronic illnesses and the elderly should be extra cautious and avoid crowded places.
• Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or other cold-like symptoms.
• If you develop a fever or other cold-like symptoms, take your temperature every day; keep a record.
• When seeking diagnosis at a Consultation Center for Foreigners and Returnees, contact them ahead of time.

The correct way to wear a mask

1. Be sure it covers both your nose and mouth.
2. Loop the elastic behind your ears.
3. Cover your nose to make sure there are no gaps

Please wear a mask when leaving the house to prevent droplet infection.

For details please see this document (external link) on the MHLW homepage.

You can also search the following:

一般的な感染症対策について

The "New Lifestyle"

See also: #MHLW's "New Lifestyle" (4 May, 2020) on this page

1. Basic preventative measures for individuals

   The three prevention basics:

   • maintain physical distance
   • wear a mask
   • wash hands

   • Keep a distance of 2 meters from other people if possible (a minimum of 1 meter if not).
   • When going out to socialize, choose outside rather than inside.
   • When engaging in conversation, avoid being directly in front of one another as much as possible.
   • When leaving the house, when inside, or when having a conversation, wear a mask at all times, regardless of whether or not you have symptoms.
   • Upon returning home, wash your hands and face first thing. If possible, change clothes and shower right away.
   • Wash hands for 30 seconds, thoroughly with soap and water (use of disinfectant also is okay).

   Be extra cautious of your health when meeting those at a high risk of developing severe symptoms, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions.

2. Basic lifestyle pattern for carrying on daily life
   • Wash hands/disinfect often.
   • Observe coughing etiquette faithfully.
   • Ventilate frequently.
   • Maintain distance from others.
   • Avoid the 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact situations).
   • Take your temperature every morning to observe your health. If you have a fever or cold-like symptoms, don't exert yourself; stay home and recover.

The "New Lifestyle" for living under the presumption of SARS-CoV-2 has been publicized here (external link).

You can also search the following:

新しい生活様式

• 
  Abenomask insert (front) - "New Lifestyle" (left) and a message from the MHLW (right)
• 
  Abenomask insert (back) - Caring for your Abenomask (left) and methods to prevent COVID-19 (right)

External links

Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) (自治体国際化協会)

• CLAIR Multicultural Portal Site (COVID-19) - page with English information about COVID-19
• CLAIR Multicultural Portal Site top page

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme

• CLAIR News Special Issues with information about coronavirus, uploaded on the JET website (English)
• CLAIR News Special Issues (Japanese)

Akita Prefecture (美の国あきたネット)

• COVID-19 portal site New portal site for COVID-19 (Japanese)
• Regarding Infection Prevention Measures for the Novel Coronavirus English information about SARS-CoV-2 and Akita Prefecture's response to it.
• Novel Coronavirus Akita Prefecture's COVID-19 top page (Japanese)
• Akita Prefecture Official Line Account
• Akita Prefectural Coronavirus Alert System
• List of COVID-19 Cases in Akita Prefecture
• Akita Prefecture COVID-19 Cautionary Levels page (English; page deleted)
• Akita Prefecture COVID-19 Cautionary Levels page (Japanese; page deleted)
• COVID-19 Vaccines Akita Prefecture page on vaccines in Akita (Japanese) with links to the following vaccine info pages on each municipal website:

Akita City • Daisen • Fujisato • Gojome • Hachirogata • Happo • Higashinaruse • Ikawa • Kamikoani • Katagami • Kazuno • Kitaakita • Kosaka • Misato • Mitane • Nikaho • Noshiro • Odate • Oga • Ogata • Semboku • Ugo • Yokote • Yurihonjo • Yuzawa

• Akita Prefectural Mass Inoculation Portal (Reservation Website)
• Akita Prefecture COVID-19 hospitalization and testing rates

Akita Prefectural Infectious Disease Surveillance Center (秋田県感染症情報センター)

• Top page (Japanese)
• List of Prefectural weekly case numbers of infectious diseases (including COVID-19; Japanese)

Akita City (秋田市)

• Akita City COVID-19 page (Japanese)
• List of COVID-19 cases in Akita City (Case No.151~ Japanese)

Office of the Prime Minister of Japan (首相官邸)

• Corona.co.jp The national government's official top page for the Coronavirus(Japanese/English)
• Top page (Japanese with links to English, Chinese)
• English top page regarding SARS-CoV-2
• English pamphlets regarding SARS-CoV-2 (pamphlets linked halfway down the page)
• English page about COVID-19 vaccines in Japan

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省)

• MHLW English top page about COVID-19
• MHLW page with data and info on COVID-19
• COVID-19 Top page (Japanese with links to English, Chinese)
• 10 Points to Reduce Contact by 80%
• "New Lifestyle"
• Distribution of cloth masks to all households Q＆A - English Abenomask page
• Contact Tracing App COCOA - MHLW's COVID-19 tracing app for iPhone and Android smartphones
• About COVID-19 vaccines (Japanese)
• Border Measures Japan MHLW page on measures to take to enter Japan from abroad (English; based on MOFA Border Enforcement Measures page)
• Mask Use MHLW top page for mask use in Japan (English; with links to English and Japanese pamphlets)

Ministry of Justice (法務省)

• Support page for foreign nationals (Japanese, English)
• MOJ English info about immigration services (information on denial of entry into Japan for foreigners)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外務省)

• MOFA top page for safety abroad (predominantly information on COVID-19) (Japanese)
• Border enforcement measures (English) (relevant to incoming JETs)
• Border enforcement measures (Japanese) (same content as above)

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (文部科学省)

• MEXT measures for COVID-19 (Japanese)
• MEXT measures for COVID-19 (English; not updated)
• MEXT Manual for education under the New Lifestyle (Japanese)

World Health Organization (WHO; 世界保健機関)

• WHO Top page for COVID-19
• WHO COVID-19 situation reports - once released daily; now weekly

Tokyo Metropolitan Government (東京都)

• Top page - Links to COVID-19 (Japanese with links to English, Chinese, Korean, easy Japanese)
• Message from Governor Koike about COVID-19 - YouTube

NHK World

• NHK World Top page for the Coronavirus outbreak - frequently updated source of English news/information concerning COVID-19
• NHK World top page
• NHK World COVID-19 easy Japanese page
• NHK World article on COVID-19 reclassification as Category 5

NHK

• COVID-19 data top page (Japanese)
• Breakdown of cases by Prefecture (Japanese)
• Breakdown of hospitalization rates by Prefecture (Japanese)
• NHK article on date of COVID-19 category reclassification (Japanese)

AMDA International Medical Information Center (AMDA国際医療情報センター)

• The New Coronavirus Multilanguage Consultation Center - Facebook page

Wikipedia

• COVID-19 (English)
• COVID-19 pandemic (English)
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19; English)
• 新型コロナウイルス感染症 (2019年) (COVID-19; Japanese)
• 新型コロナウイルス感染症の世界的流行 (2019年-) (COVID-19 pandemic; Japanese)
• SARSコロナウイルス2 (SARS-CoV-2; Japanese)

Other

• Full text of the Infectious Diseases Law (感染症法) (Japanese)

Nature

• Antibody evasion by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 (English)
• SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic tree linked in the above article (English)

Specific to country

Australia

• Department of Health - Top page for COVID-19 in Australia.

Canada

• Health Canada - Top page for COVID-19 in Canada.

Ireland

• Department of Health - Top page for COVID-19 in Ireland.

New Zealand

• Ministry of Health - Top page for COVID-19 in New Zealand.

South Africa

• National Department of Health - Top page for COVID-19 in South Africa.

United Kingdom

• DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care) - Top page for COVID-19 in the UK.

United States of America

• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Top page for COVID-19 in the United States.
• COVID-19 Dashboard USA - Breakdown of COVID-19 cases per US state (also globally by country)
• COVID-19 Information US Embassy & Consulates in Japan

Regarding vaccines

• CDC page on Pfizer-BioNTech
• CDC page on Moderna
• Japan Medical Journal link with comparison chart (Japanese)
• Business Insider page comparing 4 vaccines (P-B, Md, AZ, J&J)
• Yale Medicine page comparing 5 vaccines (P-B, Md, AZ, J&J, Novavax)
• NHK page comparing 3 vaccines (P-B, Md, AZ) (Japanese)
• Asahi Shimbun article comparing 2 vaccines in Japan (P-B, Md) (Japanese)
• Asahi Shimbun article about AZ recommendation (AZ) (Japanese)
• Tokyo Newspaper article comparing 2 vaccines, with info about 4 (P-B, Md, AZ, J&J) (Japanese)
• Yahoo article with updated info on 4 vaccines (P-B, Md, AZ, Nv) (Japanese)
• Takeda (domestic distributor of Moderna and Novavax) English news release on Novavax (Nv)
• Yahoo article on domestic AstraZeneca use (AZ) (Japanese)
• Asahi Shimbun article on Novavax approval in Japan (Nv) (English)
• Article on Pfizer website about their Omicron-adapted vaccine (P-B) (English)
• NHK article on Omicron-adapted vaccines (P-B, Md) (Japanese)
• Yahoo news article regarding the start date for Omicron-adapted vaccine inoculations (P-B, Md) (Japanese)
• MHLW pamphlet on BA.1-adapted and BA.4/5-adapted bivalent vaccines (P-B, Md) (Japanese)

Abbreviations used in this section:

P-B: Pfizer-BioNTech

Md: Moderna

AZ: AstraZeneca

Nv: Novavax

J&J: Johnson & Johnson

Regarding variant strains

• WHO page on tracking variants (with Greek letter designations for VOCs/VOIs)
• CDC variants top page
• CDC scientific brief on global variants
• CDC variant info page
• PANGO SARS-CoV-2 lineages page (Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak lineages)
• GISAID SARS-CoV-2 variants page
• Nextstrain SARS-CoV-2 information page

See also

• Reported COVID-19 cases in Akita Prefecture
• Prefectural Advisor
• PA/Support System
• Support hotlines
• Traveling in and out of Japan
• Template:Coronavirus2019 (defunct template which appeared on the Akita Wiki Main Page from 7 April 2020 to 8 May 2023)
• Template:CovidLevel (defunct template which appeared in the opening blurb of this wiki page until 11 May, 2023)