Japanese banks saw their loan balances reach another record high last month as companies and individuals continued to borrow money to cope with the pandemic.
People in New York have held an online memorial for the victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan. The event took place days before the 10th anniversary of the disaster.
Correspondent
Japan s government is extending its coronavirus state of emergency by two weeks for the greater Tokyo area. It was set to expire this weekend, but will now continue until March 21 in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures.
The declaration has been in place since January 8. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the two-week extension aims for a further reduction of new infections – and to bring the outbreak under control.
Suga told a Diet committee session on Thursday that the region s coronavirus status has improved almost enough to lift the declaration. But there are still strict indicators, such as the tight situation with hospital beds, he said. I think an extension of about two weeks may be necessary to protect people s lives and livelihoods.
UN crime congress opens in Kyoto amid pandemic
The UN crime congress has kicked off in the Japanese city of Kyoto with thorough anti-coronavirus measures in place.
The UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is the first large-scale international conference to be held in the country since the outbreak began.
On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took part in the opening session online.
Guterres said that disruption caused by the pandemic is presenting criminals with new opportunities. He called for bolstering international cooperation to pave the way to a world of justice and integrity.
Japan s Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said the pandemic has caused serious problems including the grave threat of cyberattacks and online fraud.
A protest against the global generation of nuclear power has been staged in Germany, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in northeastern Japan.