COVID in Japanese to Be Nothing New from May 8
17:21 JST, February 17, 2023
COVID-19, which appeared in 2019, will from May 8 no longer be referred to in Japanese as a disease caused by a new type of coronavirus.
The change will coincide with the government’s downgrading of the disease to Category V, which is the same level as seasonal influenza.
The current name for COVID-19 in Japanese literally means “novel coronavirus infectious disease.” The Infectious Disease Control Law has classifications from Category I to V in descending order of risk. COVID-19 is in a special category that is on par with Category II.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has initiated discussions to change the Japanese name to mean “coronavirus infectious disease 2019,” which would be similar to COVID-19, which stands for “coronavirus disease 2019.”
The idea behind removing “novel” from the Japanese name is to emphasize the transition to normal times.
The ministry plans to revise the ministerial ordinance and add the new form of the name to Category V.
With the downgrade, the law on special measures for new types of influenza will also no longer apply to COVID-19, meaning emergency declarations and other similar measures cannot be enacted.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
-
JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Earthquake in Western Japan a Reminder to Be Ready for the Big One; 14% of People Have Made No Preparations, Survey Says
-
Small Animal That Appears to be Mouse Found in Chojuku Bread Products; Some Brands on Same Production Line to be Recalled Voluntarily
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Weakening Yen Adds Complexity to BOJ’s Rate Hike Decisions; Rising Commodity Prices may Impact ‘Virtuous Cycle’ Efforts
- 70% of Japan Companies to Raise Pay Scales in FY 2024
- Core Consumer Prices Rise 2.8% in Fiscal 2023
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’