Japan sees heavy summer holiday traffic after COVID-19 downgrade

Travelers flooded airports and train stations in Tokyo and other cities in Japan on Friday to head to their hometowns in the first summer holiday season since the legal status of COVID-19 was downgraded to the same category as seasonal flu.

Travelers lined up for security checks at Haneda airport in Tokyo, but some were concerned about a powerful incoming typhoon that is expected to bring stormy weather from around Monday to the country’s eastern and western regions.

“Because the coronavirus pandemic has settled down, we can have a gathering with our relatives,” said Yusuke Tada, 44, who was h...