Japan

Abe will likely announce his plans to declare the emergency on Monday, Japan time, the paper said, while Kyodo news agency said new measures would likely come into force on Wednesday.

Pressure had been mounting on the government to make the move as the pace of infections continues to accelerate - particularly in the capital - even though it remains slow for now compared with the United States, countries in Europe and China, where thousands have died.

Major sporting nations Australia and Canada had already withdrawn as organisers came under global pressure to postpone the event for the first time in the Olympics' 124-year modern history.

"On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided," Pound was quoted as saying by USA Today. "The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know."

Forty years on, the upcoming Tokyo Games are the "cursed Olympics" once again, Japan's finance minister said, in remarks that could stir controversy at a time when his government is scrambling to quash speculation that the coronavirus epidemic could derail the world's biggest sporting event this year.

"It's a problem that's happened every 40 years - it's the cursed Olympics - and that's a fact," Taro Aso, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said in a parliamentary committee.

For the better part of thirty years, the Land of the Rising Sun has attracted some of the best athletes from around the world.

Japan’s culture has always been a massive pull-factor and the money on offer for even semi-professional standard players far trumps what’s been available in other countries.

For men who aren’t quite good enough to become full-time professionals in New Zealand, for example, but are still exceptional athletes, Japan has offered a legitimate career pathway.

Tonga A has been working hard this week in a bid to match the Cherry Blossoms at the ANZ Stadium.

Tongan fullback Kava Tagifua says they have been working on ways to counter their opponents.

“What we are expecting from Japan, we know that they play quite fast, they deliver the ball out wide so the boys are doing everything to get their all covered.”

Tonga will take on Japan at 2.30pm (FJ Time) tomorrow.

Vanuatu’s Minister of Education and Training Jean-Pierre Nirua led the official opening ceremonies for the schools. Senior Country Coordination Officer from ADB’s Vanuatu Pacific Country Office Nancy Wells, Japan’s Ambassador to Vanuatu Harumi Katsumata, and the project team joined local communities in officially opening the Imaki, Ienaula, and Kwataparen schools.

The broadcaster NHK said a conference in Tokyo in April was likely to discuss China's growing maritime presence in the region.

It said it would be the first time for Japan's defence ministry to host such a conference, which could also include representatives from the United States, Australia and France.

NHK said the participants would likely discuss security issues related to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

They are also expected to talk about co-operation between the countries in the event of natural disasters.

The boat washed ashore on Japan's Sado Island, northwest from the mainland, on Friday and authorities gained access on Saturday.

The heavily damaged vessel had Korean lettering painted on its side.

Police could not confirm whether the two heads belonged to the corpses but Japanese media said the remains were "partially skeletonised".

This could indicate the victims had been at sea for a long time.

"Ghost boats" believed to hail from North Korea are a fairly common discovery on Japanese shores.

Aminiasi Tuimaba and Napolioni Bolaca scored in the first half as Fiji led 14-5 at the break.

Isoa Tabu added another try in the second half to secure the win.

Fiji will play Japan SDS today while Australia play Samoa in the Men's Olympic Qualifier Final.

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s Team will take on Samoa in the first semifinal of the Women's Olympic Qualifier while Papua New Guinea take on Solomon Islands in the second semifinal at 12.34pm.

Australia will take on New Zealand in the Women's Oceania International Final.

Anolyn Lulu and Stephanie Qwea flew out of the country Monday to join Priscilla Tommy, who is currently training in Japan.

It was a positive news for Vanuatu following the withdrawal of Australia’s women’s team from the competition which gave Vanuatu the opportunity to represent the continent at the much anticipated World Cup.

There will be a total 38 matches (19 men + 19 women) and seeding for the teams will be based on the latest available Team World Ranking List on November 5.