Broadcasters led with reports on the Health Ministry’s announcement that it has decided to suspend the use of 1.6 million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine after foreign substances were found in some doses (NHK, Fuji TV, TV Asahi), top health expert Omi’s criticism of IOC Chairman Bach for visiting Japan again (NTV), and Japan’s approval of an antibody cocktail treatment for outpatients (TBS).  

Major front-page items in national dailies included the GOJ’s decision to place additional prefectures under a COVID-19 state of emergency, former Foreign Minister Kishida’s plan to run for LDP president, and the finding that Utsunomiya University is the only national university that conducts annual entrance exams tailored exclusively for the children of foreign residents.