A dozen people participated in a Shinto ritual whereby they bathed in icy waters at Teppou-zu Inari Shrine in Tokyo on Sunday to pray for the end of the pandemic. (Ruptly)

Despite a gradual improvement in Japan’s economic conditions, a labour shortage is slowly starting to bite in industries such as restaurants and manufacturing in which many people decided to switch jobs while on furlough amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (phnompenhpost.com)

Police on Sunday arrested a 28-year-old man who held the manager of a "yakiniku" grilled meat restaurant in Tokyo hostage and claimed he had planted a bomb in the establishment, later telling police he wanted to eat grilled meat before being nabbed, investigative sources said. (Kyodo)

The New Year Grand Sumo Tournament started at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on Sunday. (NHK)

Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Division 1 | Round 1 (RugbyPass)

Researchers in Japan estimate that numbers of coronavirus infections in Okinawa, Tokyo and Osaka prefectures are doubling in less than two days amid the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. (NHK)

The leaders of Australia and Japan have signed a “historic” defence treaty that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said would “contribute to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific” as China expands its military and economic clout in the region. (aljazeera.com)

Tokyo has had its first snowfall of the season, with 10 centimeters accumulating in central parts of the capital. (NHK)

Japan's rugby union season starts tomorrow with big ambitions, tongue-twister team names and a rebrand that has left some fans wondering which version of the sport they are to be watching. (taipeitimes.com)

A tiger bit off a keeper's hand and attacked two other people at a safari park near Tokyo, Japanese media reported Wednesday. (france24.com)

The daily tally of coronavirus infections in Japan has topped 1,000 for the first time in three months. The spike comes as health authorities rush to contain the more transmissible Omicron variant, which is rapidly spreading nationwide. (NHK)

Cars of the future will be heavily dependent on the internet for navigation and other basic operations. But that will also make them vulnerable to hacking attacks capable of causing serious damage. (NHK)

The U.S. military in Japan accounted for another 242 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday as the winter coronavirus surge continues, according to military and Japanese reports. (stripes.com)

Traders at Tokyo's Toyosu wholesale market held the first auction of 2022 on Wednesday. (NHK)

Japan’s industry ministry is stepping up support to companies helping working women with “femtech” products and services, which utilize advanced technologies to address women’s health problems. (Arab News Japan)

The long-distance road-running relay sport of ekiden is a national institution in Japan, where New Year’s races command massive TV audiences and turn unknown athletes into overnight stars. (taipeitimes.com)

Travelers returning from New Year holidays crowded expressways and airports across Japan Monday as a decline in coronavirus infections toward the end of last year and progress in vaccinating the public unlocked pent-up travel demand. (Japan Times)

Two women in their 80s died, while four other people aged between 88 and 100 were taken to hospital Saturday after they all choked on mochi, police and fire department officials said Sunday. (Japan Today)

Ameya-Yokochō is an open-air market in the Taito Ward of Tokyo, Japan, located next to Ueno Station. (Totally Drew)

Three major kabuki shows in Tokyo this January, including mayor works such as Ichijō Ōkura Monogatari and Kawatsura Hōgen Yakata at the Kabuki-za, Nansō Satomi Hakkenden at the National Theatre, an a special program of dances by Tamasaburō in Osaka. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday vowed to continue to take all necessary measures to fight the spread of COVID-19 while accelerating his push to create a “new capitalism.” (Japan Times)

A 43-year-old man arrested on suspicion of committing a lewd act in front of a high school girl has told police he committed similar offenses on at least 50 occasions. (Japan Today)

Over 220 flights connecting Hokkaido to other parts of Japan were canceled Saturday after the country’s northernmost main island was hit by another day of heavy snow. (Japan Times)

A massive winter storm was expected to dump nearly a meter of snow on some parts of Japan, snarling transport during a peak travel period over the New Year holiday when many people are on the move to be with their families. (Japan Times)

It's 11:59 and we're in Tokyo at Monzen-Nakacho where they have both a shrine and temple next to each other. (ONLY in JAPAN * GO)