Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

A Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry panel convenes a meeting in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, where it found no issues with the government's plan to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in front of JR Tokyo Station on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in front of JR Osaka Station on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in Tokyo's Omotesando area on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in Tokyo's Shibuya area on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, after the government formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, after the government formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, after the government formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in Tokyo's Shibuya area on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in front of JR Osaka Station on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in Tokyo's Omotesando area on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

People walk in front of JR Tokyo Station on April 27, 2023, with most wearing face masks. The government decided the same day to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

A Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry panel convenes a meeting in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, where it found no issues with the government's plan to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, after the government formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, after the government formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

Japan formally decides to downgrade COVID-19 to flu level on May 8

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 27, 2023, after the government formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus to a level on par with seasonal influenza on May 8.

E

World Bank lowers India's growth forecast to 6.3 pct in FY23-24

STORY: World Bank lowers India's growth forecast to 6.3 pct in FY23-24 DATELINE: April 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:35 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of India Gate 2. various of markets 3. various of a gas station 4. various of traffic STORYLINE: The World Bank on Tuesday lowered India's economic growth forecast to 6.3 percent for the financial year 2023-24 from its earlier estimate of 6.6 percent announced last December. The international financial institution in its report attributed the downgrade to slower consumption growth and challenging external conditions. "The World Bank has revised its FY23-24 GDP forecast to 6.3 percent from 6.6 percent (December 2022). Growth is expected to be constrained by slower consumption growth and challenging external conditions," the report said. "Rising borrowing costs and slower income growth will weigh on private consumption growth, and government consumption is projected to grow at a slower pace due to the withdrawal of pandemic-related fisca

E

Mexico regrets Peru's decision to withdraw ambassador

STORY: Mexico regrets Peru's decision to withdraw ambassador DATELINE: Feb. 27, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:21 LOCATION: Mexico City CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Lima 2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): DINA BOLUARTE, Peruvian President 3. various of Mexico City and Lima STORYLINE: Mexico said Saturday it regrets Peru's decision to permanently withdraw its ambassador to Mexico and downgrade diplomatic relations between the two countries to the level of charge d'affaires. The Mexican Foreign Ministry reiterated in a statement Mexico's desire to "keep diplomatic communication channels open for the benefit of both societies." It also said Mexico will maintain its diplomatic and consular representation in Peru to promote ties between the two peoples and serve the Mexican community living in the Andean country, adding that it "hoped that a democratic solution to the disagreements in this sister Latin American country will soon be reached." Peruvian President Dina Boluarte announced on Friday the "permanent withdraw

E

Moody's downgrades Egypt's ratings to B3, changes outlook to stable

STORY: Moody's downgrades Egypt's ratings to B3, changes outlook to stable DATELINE: Feb. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:46 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the central bank of Egypt 2. various of vessels in Egypt 3. various of a fuel station in Egypt STORYLINE: Moody's Investors Service lowered Egypt's long-term foreign-currency and local-currency issuer ratings to B3 from B2. In its ranking report published on Tuesday, Moody's also changed outlook to "stable from negative." The report cited that the downgrade to B3 reflects Egypt's reduced external buffers and shock absorption capacity while the economy undergoes a structural change toward a more export- and private sector-led growth model under a flexible exchange rate regime. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a three-billion U.S. dollar financial support package to Egypt in December 2023 amid a commitment to flexible currency and monetary reforms. Over the past year, the Egyptian currency had depreciated by nearly 50 pe

E

Japan to downgrade COVID-19

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare holds a meeting of medical experts in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2023, as the government mulls reclassifying the novel coronavirus to put it in the same category as common infectious diseases such as seasonal influenza.

E

Japan to downgrade COVID-19

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare holds a meeting of medical experts in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2023, as the government mulls reclassifying the novel coronavirus to put it in the same category as common infectious diseases such as seasonal influenza.

E

Japan to downgrade COVID-19

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare holds a meeting of medical experts in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2023, as the government mulls reclassifying the novel coronavirus to put it in the same category as common infectious diseases such as seasonal influenza.

E

Russia downgrades diplomatic ties with Estonia in retaliation

STORY: Russia downgrades diplomatic ties with Estonia in retaliation DATELINE: Jan. 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:49 LOCATION: Moscow CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Russian Foreign Ministry 2. various of Estonian embassy in Moscow (file) STORYLINE: Russia has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Estonia to the level of charge d'affaires in retaliation of Estonia's move to reduce Russian embassy staff. The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Estonian Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre in protest against actions of Estonia's authorities and ordered him to leave the country by Feb. 7. "The Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia" by promoting Russophobia and hostility towards Russia, the ministry said in a statement. In a tit-for-tat move, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted on Monday it will expel the Russian ambassador from its capital Tallinn. Earlier this month, Estonia asked Russia to reduce staff at its embassy

E

Japan PM Kishida vows to downgrade COVID-19 categorization in spring

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Friday to downgrade the legal status of COVID-19 this spring to a Class 5 disease, the same level as seasonal influenza, a move that would lead to a major shift in the pandemic restrictions that have been in place for around three years. In Japan, COVID-19 is currently categorized as "equivalent to Class 2" and is subject to extensive steps, such as limitations on the movements of infected people and their close contacts. The measures are stricter than those against Class 2 infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.

E

Xinhua Headlines: China delivers acclaimed performance in fighting once-in-a-century pandemic

(230120) -- BEIJING, Jan. 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Dec. 27, 2022 shows a press conference held by the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism. On Dec. 26, China renamed novel coronavirus pneumonia as novel coronavirus infection and decided to downgrade its level of COVID-19 management from the current Class A to a less strict Class B, starting from Jan. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

E

Tokyo scene amid coronavirus pandemic

People wear face masks outdoors near Tokyo's Shibuya station on Jan. 20, 2023. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced same day plans to downgrade the legal status of COVID-19 to the equivalent of seasonal influenza in the spring.

E

Tokyo scene amid coronavirus pandemic

People wear face masks outdoors near Tokyo's Shibuya station on Jan. 20, 2023. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced same day plans to downgrade the legal status of COVID-19 to the equivalent of seasonal influenza in the spring.

E

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

(230112) -- TUNIS, Jan. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People visit the Medina of Tunis, Tunisia, on Jan. 9, 2023. China's move to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B starting from Jan. 8 has excited governmental officials and tourism industry players in the Middle East, who are gearing up to welcome back Chinese tourists absent for three years due to the pandemic. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

E

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

(230112) -- TUNIS, Jan. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Jan. 5, 2023 shows a view of a street in Tunis, Tunisia. China's move to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B starting from Jan. 8 has excited governmental officials and tourism industry players in the Middle East, who are gearing up to welcome back Chinese tourists absent for three years due to the pandemic. (Xinhua/Xu Supei)

E

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

(230112) -- TUNIS, Jan. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People enjoy their time in the Medina of Tunis, Tunisia, on Jan. 5, 2023. China's move to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B starting from Jan. 8 has excited governmental officials and tourism industry players in the Middle East, who are gearing up to welcome back Chinese tourists absent for three years due to the pandemic. (Xinhua/Xu Supei)

E

China's COVID response shift to positively influence global economy: expert

STORY: China's COVID response shift to positively influence global economy: expert DATELINE: Jan. 10, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:42 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): OKTAY F. TANRISEVER, Professor of International Relations, Middle East Technical University 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): OKTAY F. TANRISEVER, Professor of International Relations, Middle East Technical University STORYLINE: In recent months, China has made an array of active adjustments in its COVID response. An Ankara-based expert on international relations has said the downgrade in China's COVID-19 management policy will positively influence global economy. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): OKTAY F. TANRISEVER, Professor of International Relations, Middle East Technical University "Now with these measures lifted, I think there will be more room for trade, more interaction and global economy will be affected positively from that. China is the largest producing country in the world. It will also increase not

E

Land ports of entry resume passenger services in China's Guangxi, Yunnan

STORY: Land ports of entry resume passenger services in China's Guangxi, Yunnan DATELINE: Jan. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:15 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of land border ports in Yunnan 2. various of border port of Dongxing 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): Vietnamese traveler 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MR. AI, Outbound visitor STORYLINE: Land border ports of entry fully reopened to international travelers in China's Guangxi and Yunnan, as the country downgraded its management of COVID-19. China now manages COVID-19 with measures against Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases, in a major shift of its epidemic response policy. The COVID management downgrade is expected to facilitate the smooth and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals. In Guangxi, the land port of Dongxing on China's border with Vietnam saw many inbound travelers on Sunday, many of who were returning home ahead of the Chinese New Year. In Yunnan, land ports of Heko

E

Xinhua Headlines: Top 10 China news stories of 2022

(221229) -- BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2022 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Dec. 27, 2022 shows a press conference held by the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism. Top 10 China news stories of 2022 10. China adjusts COVID-19 response policies in science-based, targeted manner Putting people's lives and health first, China has been optimizing its COVID-19 response policies in a dynamic manner in the face of a constantly mutating novel coronavirus. On Nov. 10, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting, which discussed and arranged 20 measures to further optimize epidemic prevention and control work. On Dec. 7, China further adjusted its virus prevention and control policies with 10 new measures, shifting the policy focus from infection prevention to severe cases prevention. On Dec. 26, China renamed novel coronavirus pneumonia as novel coronavirus infection and decided to downgrade its level of COVID-19 management fr

E

Moody's analyst Byrne

TOKYO, Japan - Thomas Byrne, an analyst at Moody's Investors Service Inc., speaks about the rating agency's downgrade of Japan's debt at a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 24, 2011.

E

BOJ head cites need to address debt woes

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa speaks at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2011. Shirakawa cited the importance of making efforts to restore the nation's fiscal health to keep long-term interest rates stable at low levels, while refraining from specifically commenting on the latest downgrade of Japan's sovereign debt rating by Standard & Poor's.

E

Tokyo stocks open sharply lower on European credit downgrade

TOKYO, Japan - A man passes an electric stock board at a securities house in Tokyo's Marunouchi business district showing the benchmark Nikkei stock index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange drop more than 300 points. Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower after U.S. and European stocks tumbled following Standard & Poor's downgrades of credit ratings of debt-ridden Greece and Portugal.

E

Shirakawa suggests BOJ may downgrade economic assessment

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa adjusts his glasses during a news conference at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on April 7 after the end of a two-day meeting of the BOJ's Policy Board.

E

Shirakawa suggests BOJ may downgrade economic assessment

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa speaks at a news conference at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on April 7 after the end of a two-day meeting of the BOJ's Policy Board.

E

China says Olympic torch to pass through Taiwan, Taipei rejects

BEIJING, China - China celebrates the announcement of the Olympic torch relay course for the 2008 Beijing games with a display of fireworks in the capital on April 26. Organizers said the torch will travel to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China considers a renegade province, but Taipei has rejected the idea, saying the plan shows an attempt to downgrade Taiwan's sovereignty.

E

World Bank downgrades India's growth forecast to 6.5 pct

STORY: World Bank downgrades India's growth forecast to 6.5 pct DATELINE: Oct. 7, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:31 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of banks 2. various of shopping mall STORYLINE: The World Bank on Thursday downgraded India's economic growth forecast to 6.5 percent for the current fiscal year (2022-23) from its earlier estimate of 7.5 percent announced in June. The international financial institution cited the deteriorating international environment for the downgrade. "The Indian economy will slow down in FY23, coming off a strong but incomplete recovery in FY22 (April 2021-March 2022). The spillovers from the Russia-Ukraine war and the global monetary policy tightening cycle weigh on India's economic outlook," the report said. Elevated inflation on the back of higher prices of key commodities, heightened global uncertainty, and rising borrowing costs will affect domestic demand while slowing global growth inhibits India's export growth, it said. In its biannual report on

E

GLOBALink | IMF to downgrade forecast for over 140 economies amid Russia-Ukraine conflict

STORY: IMF to downgrade forecast for over 140 economies amid Russia-Ukraine conflict DATELINE: April 15, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:59 LOCATION: WASHINGTON CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. exterior view of IMF building 2. various of Russia-Ukraine conflict 3. pic of Kristalina Georgieva 4. various of economic related shots STORYLINE: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief said Thursday that the organization will revise down its global growth forecast amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the impact of which will contribute to downgrades for 143 economies this year. The IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva noted that the economic consequences from the Russia-Ukraine conflict spread "fast and far," "hitting hardest the world's most vulnerable people." She said, the conflict has pushed up energy and food prices and exacerbated inflation, hurting hundreds of millions of families who were already struggling with lower incomes and higher prices, and threatening to further increase inequality. In an update to its World Econo

E

IMF to downgrade global growth forecast amid Ukraine crisis: IMF chief

STORY: IMF to downgrade global growth forecast amid Ukraine crisis: IMF chief DATELINE: March 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:31 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA, IMF Managing Director 2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): GITA GOPINATH, First Deputy Managing Director 3. various shots of IMF online roundtable STORYLINE: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will likely downgrade its global growth forecast next month due to spillover effects from the Ukraine crisis, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday. The economic fallout of the Ukraine crisis is being transmitted through three key channels to the rest of the world: higher commodity prices, the impact on real incomes and the real economy, as well as the impact on financial conditions and business confidence, Georgieva told reporters at a virtual media roundtable. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA, IMF Managing Director "Financial conditions have been already tightening in man

E

China says Olympic torch to pass through Taiwan, Taipei rejects

BEIJING, China - China celebrates the announcement of the Olympic torch relay course for the 2008 Beijing games with a display of fireworks in the capital on April 26. Organizers said the torch will travel to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China considers a renegade province, but Taipei has rejected the idea, saying the plan shows an attempt to downgrade Taiwan's sovereignty. (Kyodo)

E

Shirakawa suggests BOJ may downgrade economic assessment

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa speaks at a news conference at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on April 7 after the end of a two-day meeting of the BOJ's Policy Board. (Kyodo)

E

Shirakawa suggests BOJ may downgrade economic assessment

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa adjusts his glasses during a news conference at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on April 7 after the end of a two-day meeting of the BOJ's Policy Board. (Kyodo)

E

Japan retains economic assessment despite corporate profit downgrade

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd from R) attends a meeting on the government's economic assessment report in Tokyo on June 17, 2016. The government said the domestic economy is recovering moderately, while downgrading its view of corporate profits due to falling commodity prices and a firmer yen. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Rengo labor union pares back support for Democratic Party

Rikio Kozu, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, Japan's largest labor group, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on April 14, 2016, after its central executive committee decided to downgrade the support it officially offers to the newly formed opposition Democratic Party. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Moody's analyst Byrne

TOKYO, Japan - Thomas Byrne, an analyst at Moody's Investors Service Inc., speaks about the rating agency's downgrade of Japan's debt at a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 24, 2011. (Kyodo)

E

Tokyo stocks open sharply lower on European credit downgrade

TOKYO, Japan - A man passes an electric stock board at a securities house in Tokyo's Marunouchi business district showing the benchmark Nikkei stock index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange drop more than 300 points. Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower after U.S. and European stocks tumbled following Standard & Poor's downgrades of credit ratings of debt-ridden Greece and Portugal. (Kyodo)

E

BOJ head cites need to address debt woes

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa speaks at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2011. Shirakawa cited the importance of making efforts to restore the nation's fiscal health to keep long-term interest rates stable at low levels, while refraining from specifically commenting on the latest downgrade of Japan's sovereign debt rating by Standard & Poor's. (Kyodo)