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2021 in Japan

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{{Year in Japan|2021}}

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Events in the year 2021 in Japan.

The second year was largely defined by COVID-19 pandemic that caused the national economy to go into recession, and would continue until October 1, 2021 (when the fourth state of emergency ends).

Politically, Liberal Democratic Party leader Fumio Kishida was officially elected as 100th Prime Minister of Japan on October 4, 2021 after winning a majority of votes in both houses of parliament. The new cabinet members under Kishida, who succeeds Yoshihide Suga than one year of Shinzo Abe, are likely due to be announced later in the day.{{Citation Needed|date=October 2021}}

Incumbents

=Governors=

Ongoing events

Events by month

{{update section|date=February 2021}}

=January=

  • January 1 – Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga delivered 2021 New Year's message to bring the COVID-19 under control and pledged to host the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics.{{cite web |url= https://yomiuri.co.jp/national/20201231-OYT1T50198/|title= 天皇陛下「希望を持って歩んでいく年に」…国民に新年のメッセージ|language=Japanese|newspaper=Yomiuri Shimbun|date=January 1, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://mainichi.jp/articles/20201231/k00/00m/010/127000c|title= 「命と暮らし守り抜く」菅首相が年頭所感 オリンピック開催明言、憲法は触れず|language=Japanese|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://apnews.com/article/japan-coronavirus-pandemic-naruhito-tokyo-db55a819cba38424c1473c72bc9c408f|title= Japan's emperor acknowledges virus hardship in video message|newspaper=Associated Press|date=January 1, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/01/5e5de27eaab9-suga-vows-to-contain-virus-hold-olympics-in-new-years-address.html|title= Japan PM Suga vows to contain virus, hold Olympics in New Year's address|newspaper=Kyodo News|date=January 1, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}
  • January 2
  • The governors of Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures considered to declare another state of emergency over COVID-19 resurgence, Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura who in charge of COVID-19 response.{{cite web|url=https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2021010200096&g=soc|title=都知事、緊急事態宣言要請へ コロナ感染拡大で医療逼迫、西村担当相と面会|newspaper=Jiji Press|date=January 2, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112111531/https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2021010200096&g=soc|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/01/80c4e62113b2-breaking-news-tokyo-to-urge-central-govt-to-issue-state-of-emergency-over-virus.html|title= Japan looking at declaring another state of emergency over virus|newspaper=Kyodo News|date=January 2, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}
  • The world's oldest person, Kane Tanaka celebrated her 118th birthday in southwestern Japan on Saturday.{{cite web |url= https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20210102-OYT1T50038/|title= 世界最高齢・田中カ子さん、１１８歳の誕生日…祝福に「みんな拍手してください」|language=Japanese|newspaper=Yomiuri Shimbun|date=January 2, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/01/a173910e3924-worlds-oldest-person-in-southwestern-japan-turns-118.html|title= World's oldest person in southwestern Japan turns 118|newspaper=Kyodo News|date=January 2, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}
  • January 4
  • The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo was off 0.4% at 27,344.87 after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the government is considering declaring a state of emergency for Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures due to surging virus caseloads.{{cite web |url= https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP1433HKP14ULFA00B.html|title= 新年の日経平均、一時400円下げ 緊急事態宣言報道で|language=Japanese|newspaper=The Asahi Shimbun|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/01/1c29429be35e-focus-japan-economy-to-notch-sharp-recovery-from-pandemic-toward-end-2021.html|title= FOCUS: Japan economy to notch sharp recovery from pandemic toward end-2021|newspaper=Kyodo News|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}
  • The government considered declaring a nationwide state of emergency over COVID-19 resurgence, the countdown clock for the postponed Tokyo Olympics hit 200 days to go.{{cite web |url= https://www.sankei.com/politics/news/210104/plt2101040038-n1.html|title= 政府に不満「小池氏の失政」 首相は「やんなきゃいけない」…宣言発令要請で急転|language=Japanese|newspaper=Sankei Shimbun|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://apnews.com/article/tokyo-olympics-200-days-to-go-covid-19-4fb7d24bbc54f74a2c14c3427f67af26|title= Tick-Tock: The Tokyo Olympics hit the 200-days-to-go mark|newspaper=Associated Press|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}
  • January 5
  • Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to declare another state of emergency in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures as the COVID-19 resurgence on Thursday, while the government reported more than 4,900 cases.{{cite web |url= https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP157FTCP15UTIL00H.html|title= 感染4914人、過去最多を更新 首都圏で全体の半数超|language=Japanese|newspaper=The Asahi Shimbun|date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/asia/japan-covid-state-of-emergency-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Japan poised for state of emergency as Covid-19 cases soar|newspaper=CNN|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan/japan-weighs-state-of-emergency-in-tokyo-area-as-covid-cases-surge-idUSKBN29A07B|title=Japan weighs state of emergency in Tokyo area as COVID cases surge|newspaper=Reuters|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}
  • New car sales in Japan slumped 11.5% in 2020 from a year earlier amid the pandemic, marking the largest fall in nine years, data from industry bodies showed Tuesday. While tuna gone cut price ¥20 million at Tokyo's Toyosu Market during New Year auction.{{cite web |url= https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20210106-OYT1T50000/|title= 昨年新車販売 ５００万台割れ…４年ぶり コロナで来客減響く|language=Japanese|newspaper=Yomiuri Shimbun|date=January 6, 2021|access-date=January 6, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://www.sankei.com/life/news/210105/lif2101050006-n1.html|title= 大間産マグロ、２０００万円 東京・豊洲で初競り マスク姿で|language=Japanese|newspaper=Sankei Shimbun|date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 6, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://jiji.com/jc/article?k=2021010500383&g=eco|title=マグロ初競り、安値スタート コロナ禍で静かな幕開け—豊洲市場|newspaper=Jiji Press|date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105011729/https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2021010500383&g=eco|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url= https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/auto-industry-2020-was-horrible-year-it-ended-better-expected-n1252892|title=For the auto industry, 2020 was a horrible year — but it ended better than expected|newspaper=NBC News|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}
  • The Constitutional Democrats, Social Democrats, and the Communists prepared to form a pacifist coalition, despite to the anti-Suga Cabinet protests and riots. After the Japanese government warned about a new national lockdown in the European Union and the United Kingdom.{{cite web |url= https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210105/k00/00m/010/226000c|title= 与野党、特措法改正案の罰則巡り協議 専門家は私権制限に冷静さ求める|language=Japanese|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-covid-strain-uk-more-lockdown-measures-warning/|title=U.K. warns of more lockdown measures as country fights new strain of coronavirus|newspaper=CBS News|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/05/europe/european-coronavirus-lockdowns-2021-intl/index.html|title=Europe starts 2021 by extending lockdowns as coronavirus cases spiral|newspaper=CNN|date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}

=February=

File:2021年福島県沖地震・震度分布.png]]

=March=

=April=

  • April 13 – The decision to dump radioactive water of the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean over the course of 30 years finally obtains the approval of the Japanese cabinet.{{Cite news|date=2021-04-13|title=Fukushima: Japan approves releasing wastewater into ocean|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56728068|access-date=2021-11-24}}
  • April 19 – Rockfish in Fukushima is banned from export after detecting caesium over legal limit, likely caused by the discharge of radioactive water of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. This is the first ban since the lifting of ban on all Fukushima fish in February 2020.{{cite news|title=福島県沖のクロソイ 国が出荷制限指示 基準超える放射性物質|newspaper=NHK|date=2021-04-19|last=|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/fukushima/20210419/6050014221.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419120553/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/fukushima/20210419/6050014221.html|archivedate=2021-04-19}}

=May=

=July=

File:熱海土石流_被害状況視察.jpg]]

=August=

File:令和3年8月豪雨.jpg

=September=

  • September 1 – The Digital Agency is launched to speed up digitalisation of governmental services.{{cite web |title=Japan launches agency to speed up digitalization |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/09/d6b2d872370f-japan-launches-agency-to-speed-up-digitalization.html |website=Kyodo News |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=1 September 2021}}
  • September 3 – Prime Minister Suga announced he will not stand in the 2021 Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) leadership election.
  • September 26 – According to Japan Meteorological Agency official confirmed report, a height of 5,400 meters (17,700 foot) eruption records on Suwanosejima, Tokara Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, where highest height of observation history.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}
  • September 29 – Fumio Kishida, the foreign minister of outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, is elected the Liberal Democratic Party's new president, paving the way for him to be Japan's next leader.{{cite web |title=Fumio Kishida set to become Japan's next prime minister after winning party vote |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/japan-prime-minister-vote-fumio-kishida-ldp-2209111 |website=CNA |access-date=5 October 2021 |date=29 September 2021}}
  • September 30 – Despite COVID-19 Delta cases continued to fall, Japan lifted 4th and final state of emergency up as the country ahead of the endemic phase by one month and one day later.{{Citation Needed|date=October 2021}}

=October=

  • October 1 – Japan becoming the first country, who transition to the living with COVID-19 endemic phase in the future.
  • October 3 – According to Wakayama mayor Masahiro Obana, a Musota Waterpipe Bridge suddenly severely deteriorated and damaged across Kino River, where 138,000 persons (60,000 households) suspend supply and not be possible to resume water supply function of the aqueduct and resident until December 2021.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}
  • October 4 – Fumio Kishida becomes 100th Prime Minister of Japan, with a new Cabinet mostly made up of newcomers formed. General election for the House of Representatives will also be held on October 31.{{cite web |last1=Nakamaru |first1=Ryotaro |title=Kishida takes office as Japan PM, calls Oct. 31 general election |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/10/91cfe23bc3c7-japans-kishida-to-take-office-as-prime-minister-form-cabinet-monday.html |website=Kyodo News |access-date=5 October 2021 |date=5 October 2021}}{{cite web |title=Japan's new PM Fumio Kishida unveils Cabinet |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/fumio-kishida-japan-new-pm-cabinet-2219431 |website=CNA |access-date=5 October 2021 |date=4 October 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005102805/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/fumio-kishida-japan-new-pm-cabinet-2219431 |url-status=dead }}

File:2021-10-07_Chiba_earthquake_intensity_map.png]]

=November=

  • November 1 – A popular idol group, V6 disbands.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-12|title=Japanese Boy Band V6 Will Disband This November|url=https://www.siliconera.com/japanese-boy-band-v6-will-disband-this-november/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Siliconera|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-13|title=Japanese all-male idol group V6 to disband on Nov. 1|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2021/03/13/entertainment-news/v6-breaking-up/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=NEWS|first=KYODO|title=Japanese all-male idol group V6 to disband on Nov. 1|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/a66f6e26c993-japanese-all-male-idol-group-v6-to-disband-on-nov-1.html|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Kyodo News+}}
  • November 10 - Kishida, president of the Liberal Democratic Party is appointed to the 101st prime minister by Emperor Naruhito and his second cabinet is formed, following a landslide victory for Liberal Democratic-Komeito coalition in the general election.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-10|title=In wake of Lower House poll win, Kishida forms second Cabinet

|url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14478891|access-date=2024-10-05|website=The Asahi Shimbun|language=en-US}}

  • November 30, 2021 to May 7, 2023 – Japan has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 Omicron variant, found from South Africa. As of May 7, 2023, Japan has reported 56,500 Omicron-related deaths, a lowest mortality toll, than compared to wealthy countries.{{Citation Needed|date=May 2023}}

=December=

  • December 1 – Aiko, Princess Toshi (only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako) comes of age at 20 and became adult. She receives Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown from her father.{{Cite news|url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/imperial-family/20211201-5788/|title=Japanese Princess Aiko comes of age at 20|publisher=The Japan News|date=1 December 2021|accessdate=11 May 2024}}{{Cite news|url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/imperial-family/20211205-6405/|title=Japan's Princess Aiko attends coming-of-age ceremonies|publisher=The Japan News|date=5 December 2021|accessdate=11 May 2024}}
  • December 17 – 2021 Osaka building fire
  • December 21 – Three death-row inmates were hanged, first executions taken place in 2 years.{{Cite news|date=21 December 2021|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/0b6b3234d1c0-breaking-news-japan-hangs-3-death-row-inmates-in-1st-executions-in-2-yrs.html|title=Japan hangs 3 death-row inmates in 1st executions in 2 yrs|publisher=Kyodo News|access-date=21 December 2021}}
  • December 25 – A first dual-mode vehicle service, Awa-Kainan Station to Cape Muroto, via Kannoura Station, Asatō Line, Shikoku Island, for regular operation start in the world during the Christmas period, according to Awa Searide Railway official confirmed report. {{Citation Needed|date=December 2021}}
  • December 31 – According to official confirmed report, Japanese New Year has first returned after the first 20 months of COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020 and September 2021. However, a many Japanese people should wear a face masks and remain celebrated new year's eve after midnight.{{Citation Needed|date=December 2021}}

The Nobel Prize

Arts and entertainment

Sports

Deaths

{{main|deaths in 2021}}

{{Further|Category:2021 deaths}}

File:Toshihide Masukawa-press conference Dec 07th, 2008-4.jpg, Nobel Prize-winning Japanese theoretical physicist, has died of oral cancer on the same day as the opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics. He was 81 years old.]]

In the third year of Reiwa Memoriam despite Japanese demographic and aging crisis, and with COVID-19 pandemic in the country, among top 20 famous Japanese people who passed away peacefully due to illness and old age, including Seizō Fukumoto, Tochinoumi Teruyoshi, Shūichirō Moriyama, Isamu Akasaki, Masakazu Tamura, Osamu Kobayashi, Shunsuke Kikuchi, Takashi Tachibana, Ei-ichi Negishi, Takeshi Terauchi, Toshihide Maskawa, Jerry Fujio, Shinichiro Sawai, Wataru Takeshita, Takao Saito, Koichi Sugiyama, Mayumi Moriyama, Toshihiro Iijima, and Princess Kiko's father Tatsuhiko Kawashima. While unfortunately, among other famous Japanese people who died of tragic events, including Toshiro Kandagawa, Kōbō Kenichi, and Sonny Chiba from COVID-19 infections, and Sayaka Kanda from suicide.

=January=

  • January 1 – Seizō Fukumoto, actor (b. 1943){{Cite web |date=January 4, 2021 |title=時代劇の"斬られ役"で知られる福本清三、77歳で肺がんにより死去 |url=https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/411335 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Natalie |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2021 |title=「５万回斬られた男」俳優の福本清三さん死去…「ラストサムライ」「水戸黄門」鮮やかな斬られ方で人気 : エンタメ・文化 : ニュース |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/20210104-OYT1T50167/ |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Yomiuri Shimbun |language=ja}}
  • January 29 – Tochinoumi Teruyoshi, sumo wrestler (b. 1938)

=February=

=March=

=April=

=May=

=June=

=July=

  • July 2 – Kōbō Kenichi, sumo wrestler (b. 1973)
  • July 16 – Masatoshi Sakai, Japanese record producer (b. 1935)[https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/293920 "伝説のプロデューサー"酒井政利さん逝く 郷ひろみ、山口百恵さん、キャンディーズや松田聖子育てる 85歳]. Chunichi Shimbun. 19 July 2021.
  • July 22 – Zentaro Watanabe, musician (b. 1963)
  • July 23 – Toshihide Maskawa, theoretical physicist (b. 1940)
  • July 28 – Satsuki Eda, politician (b. 1941)
  • July 31 - Sanpei Satō, cartoonist (b. 1929)

=August=

=September=

=October=

=November=

  • November 3 – Yasuro Kikuchi, go player (b. 1929)
  • November 4 – Tatsuhiko Kawashima, the father of princess Kawashima Kiko (b. 1940). {{cite web |title=秋篠宮妃の紀子さまの父親 川嶋辰彦さん死去 |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20211104/k10013334241000.html |website=NHKニュース |access-date=15 November 2021}}{{cite web |title=川嶋辰彦さん死去、８１歳 紀子さま父、学習院大名誉教授：時事ドットコム |url=https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2021110400652&g=soc |website=時事ドットコム |access-date=15 November 2021 |language=ja}}{{cite web |title=秋篠宮妃紀子さまの父、川嶋辰彦氏が死去…８１歳 : 皇室 : ニュース |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/koushitsu/20211104-OYT1T50104/ |website=読売新聞オンライン |access-date=15 November 2021 |language=ja |date=4 November 2021}}
  • November 8 – Kazuko Hosoki, fortune teller (b. 1938)
  • November 9 – Jakucho Setouchi, Buddhist nun (b. 1922)
  • November 12 – Takeshi Koba, baseball player (b. 1936)
  • November 13 – Emi Wada, costume designer (b. 1937)
  • November 28 – Nakamura Kichiemon II, kabuki actor (b. 1944)

=December=

  • December 3 – Jōji Yanami, voice actor (b. 1931)
  • December 8 – Mitsutoshi Furuya, manga artist (b. 1936)
  • December 18 – Sayaka Kanda, actress and singer (b. 1986){{cite web |url=https://usdaynews.com/celebrities/celebrity-death/sayaka-kanda-death-cause/ |title=Voice Actress From Frozen Sayaka Kanda's Cause of Sudden Death |website=US day News |date=December 18, 2021 |access-date= December 19, 2021}}

See also

=Country overviews=

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References

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External links

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