Japan's health ministry has decided to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits if they meet certain conditions such as their accuracy is on a par with government-approved products. (NHK)

The Japanese government has launched a nationwide competition calling for ideas to encourage people to drink more alcohol after a change in attitudes among the young resulted in a slide in tax revenues. (theguardian.com)

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked relevant ministers to review the need for mandatory reporting of coronavirus cases, among other measures, aiming to reduce the burden on public health centers and medical institutions. (yomiuri.co.jp)

More large Japanese companies are now raising wages to attract workers and cope with chronic staff shortages, a monthly Reuters poll showed on Thursday, a tentative sign Japan Inc may be slowly addressing pay that has been flat for decades. (inquirer.net)

Check out this Japanese overview trailer for Splatoon 3! (GameXplain)

Opposition is growing in Japan over the decision to hold a state funeral for the late former leader Shinzo Abe. (South China Morning Post)

Japanese candlesticks (Japanese candles) are one of the most popular tools for analyzing financial markets. (newsonjapan.com)

Tonight I'm taking the Sunrise Izumo sleeper express from Okayama station to Tokyo station in a private B sleeper "solo" room (At JAPAN)

Nowadays in Japan for people 50 years old the unmarried rate for men is 23% and women 14%. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

On August 16, Minami Minegishi, a former member of the idol group AKB48 and TV personality, revealed that she had gotten married. (Japan Today)

Japan reported a record number of weekly cases of ambulances struggling to find a hospital for patients in the week through Sunday, hitting a high for a third straight week, as the country grapples with a surge in COVID-19 infections, the government said Tuesday. (Kyodo)

Weather officials are warning of more torrential rain through Thursday in parts of eastern and western Japan. (NHK)

The coronavirus pandemic led to 8,000 more suicides in Japan between March 2020 and June 2022 than would have been expected without it, a recent study has calculated. (Japan Times)

Syphilis is spreading in Japan faster than it has in more than two decades. Experts say cases of the disease are likely to exceed 10,000 in one year. (NHK)

The rights to rebuild Japan’s iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower – currently in the middle of demolition – are being auctioned off, and they include a metaverse and real-life version. (thespaces.com)

いくら仕事や家事で忙しくても、バスや電車の待ち時間など、一日の中で何度かは、どうしても半端な隙間時間が出来てしまうもの。 (newsonjapan.com)

Tokyo's Haneda Airport is bustling with travelers who spent the "bon" holidays at their hometowns or tourist destinations. (NHK)

Former talent Anri Sakaguchi has announced through her Instagram that the divorce she filed for has been finalized. (aramajapan.com)

Brilliant performance by the youngsters. Tanaka Ryuga is something special. (Judo Highlights)

Waiting lists for Japanese nurseries are finally falling, but many parents have found that securing one of the coveted places comes at a price – taking home their child’s soiled nappies. (theguardian.com)

In a letter circulated last month to the heads of all the other "yakuza" underworld groups in Tokyo, the leadership of the Anegasaki-kai announced that it was voluntarily disbanding and thus no longer a part of Japan's notorious crime syndicate. (taiwannews.com.tw)

Rubble retrieved from an asteroid in near-Earth solar orbit could be the most 'pristine' sample of cosmic rock we've had our primate paws on yet. (sciencealert.com)

Inflation has spread to one of Japan's favorite, most affordable meals: ramen. (Nikkei)

Japan star Takefusa Kubo marked his Real Sociedad debut by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win away to Cadiz in their opening game of the season in La Liga on Sunday. (besoccer.com)

Japan's latest GDP figures show its economy grew in the April-to-June period for the third consecutive quarter. (NHK)