Japan decides to add Osaka, areas near Tokyo to COVID emergency

Japan decided Friday to expand its COVID-19 state of emergency to Osaka and three prefectures near Tokyo as a recent spike in coronavirus cases to record levels has raised fears that the country's medical system could collapse amid the Tokyo Olympics. Facing the urgent need to take stronger anti-virus measures, the government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will add Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama and Osaka prefectures to areas under the emergency, which already covers Tokyo and Okinawa, from next Monday through Aug. 31. The COVID-19 emergency initially declared for Tokyo and Okinawa through Aug. 22 will also be extended until the end of the month. The new period overlaps with the Olympics, which started last week and will run through Aug. 8, and also partly covers the Paralympics period starting Aug. 24.

Indonesia to strengthen defense in S. China Sea: defense minister

Indonesia to strengthen defense in S. China Sea: defense minister

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu speaks to Kyodo News in Jakarta on Dec. 15, 2015. Indonesia plans to strengthen its capability to defend its land and waters in the South China Sea, namely the Natuna Islands around which the country's has declared an exclusive economic zone that overlaps with China's so-called "nine-dash line" maritime claim, the minister said. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Diamond Fuji" fascinates photographers

"Diamond Fuji" fascinates photographers

People take photos of Mt. Fuji, whose top overlaps with the Sun to form "diamond Fuji," on Feb. 15, 2017, in Yamanakako village, west of Tokyo. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo