We have a look at the upcoming kabuki performances, including one major shows at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo and two brief shows, one at the Misono-za in Nagoya, and another at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba. (Kabuki In-Depth)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says 9,520 new cases of coronavirus infection were reported on Wednesday. (NHK)

A unit of Japanese toymaker Bandai Namco Holdings is raising production and fighting scalpers to ease a chronic shortage of its Gundam plastic model kits, as demand for them soars among homebound fans. (Nikkei)

Humanoid robot Asimo, developed by Japanese automaker Honda Motor, has bid farewell in the last of its regular shows in Tokyo. Honda ended the Asimo project. (NHK)

People across Japan are celebrating the peak cherry blossom viewing season this week without Covid-19 restrictions in place for the first time in two years. But many are limiting their viewing to strolling under the trees rather than drinking and eating in traditional party style. (nbcnews.com)

A 45-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after crashing his car into the Foreign Ministry building in Tokyo, police said. (Kyodo)

A former board chairman at one of Japan's largest universities was given a one-year suspended prison sentence, along with a fine of 13 million yen, on Tuesday for evading around 52 million yen in income tax. (Japan Today)

As the yen's dramatic plunge makes Bitcoin look almost credible, economists are asking the wrong questions. (Nikkei)

Japan’s plastic waste recycling and promotion law will take effect on April 1, forcing businesses to reduce their reliance on 12 single-use plastic items, including forks, spoons, and toothbrushes. (econotimes.com)

Netflix has unveiled five new forthcoming Japanese titles — including a romance reality series and documentaries devoted to true crime, a J-pop star and the art of Kabuki theater — which join 10 prior unscripted projects the streamer already had in development. (hollywoodreporter.com)

The number of foreign nationals in Japan has declined for the second straight year due to the coronavirus. (NHK)

A beer sales battle is intensifying in Japan, with major makers switching their targets from restaurants to people who drink at home as demand for drinking parties and holiday outings remains sluggish amid the prolonged coronavirus crisis. (Japan Times)

The International Robotics Exhibition, or iREX 2022 for short, was held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition hall in Japan. (PRO ROBOTS)

A teenage girl was injured after she was hit by a man who apparently jumped from a high-rise building in Shibuya, Tokyo, on Sunday. (Japan Today)

Atami is a popular get-away destination and an easy day trip from Tokyo. Known for its onsen, or hot springs, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the seaside. (Japan by Food)

A private university in Tokyo has decided to accept Ukrainian students who want to evacuate to Japan. (NHK)

JAPAN is often regarded as the top food destination of all, and I can say without a doubt that most of the best meals of my life were in this country. (Luke Martin)

TOKIGAWA, SAITAMA PREF. – Except for the occasional buzzing of cars passing by and the gentle chirping of birds, route 172 — the main road that runs through Tokigawa — was quiet on a recent Wednesday morning. (Japan Times)

The Tokyo Philharmonic orchestra has staged thousands of concerts in its long history, with all its musicians gathered inside a concert hall. But this wasn't the case at a recent event. Some of the players took part from a location far from the venue. (NHK)

The number of new cases of coronavirus has been gradually trending downward in Japan. More than 47,000 new infections were reported nationwide on Friday. (NHK)

Japan’s Shionogi & Co has signed a basic agreement with the government to supply an oral COVID-19 treatment it is now developing, the firm said on Friday. (Reuters)

Tokyo prosecutors say a vice president of SMBC Nikko Securities conspired with senior staff members to illegally boost the stock price of a pharmaceutical firm by placing large buy orders. (NHK)

The average price of land in Japan rebounded on the back of solid housing demand after falling for the first time in six years the previous year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the government said Tuesday. (Japan Today)

Japan’s government lifted a warning of potential blackouts for the Tokyo region Wednesday as weather and conservation efforts improved, but the supply outlook still appears fragile with several coal-fired plants offline. (marketwatch.com)

Russia said it was withdrawing from negotiations with Japan aimed at signing a formal World War II peace treaty because of Tokyo's tough stance against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. (Mahanology)