This summer's Tokyo Olympics will go ahead without spectators after a surge in coronavirus cases, organisers have announced. (sky.com)

Emperor Naruhito received his first COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Akasaka Imperial Residence in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on Tuesday afternoon, the Imperial Household Agency announced. (Japan Times)

Google is making a foray into financial services in Japan by acquiring a cashless payment company for between 20 billion and 30 billion yen ($180 million to $270 million), Nikkei has learned. (Nikkei)

TOKYO (TR) – A middle school girl plunged to her death from a building at her school in Bunkyo Ward on Wednesday. (tokyoreporter.com)

Some 11,091 athletes from around the world are expected to feature at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, in what will be the 32nd running of the biggest multi-sport event on the planet. (Xinhua)

Japan's government has decided to impose a fourth coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo, lasting through the Olympics. The state of emergency is to be in effect from next Monday to August 22. (NHK)

The Olympic Games will be held during a state of emergency, the central government announced Thursday, forcing organizers to further reduce spectators two weeks before the opening ceremony as major cities struggle to stifle a growing resurgence of the coronavirus. (Japan Times)

Another setback for the Tokyo Olympics. The torch relay in the capital has been scrapped over COVID-19 concerns. (CNA)

IBARAKI (TR) – The Olympic Games are scheduled to be begin in Tokyo later this month while the government continues to grapple with the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan is considering banning all spectators from the Olympics, several sources told Reuters on Wednesday, with authorities expected to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo to contain coronavirus infections 16 days before the Games begin. (theglobeandmail.com)

Japan has officially inaugurated its team of athletes for the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to open on July 23. (NHK)

East Japan Railway Co. said Tuesday it will inspect the belongings of some passengers during the Tokyo Olympics at major stations in the metropolitan area in cooperation with police, as part of measures to prevent crime and terrorism. (Japan Times)

Japanese major convenience store chain Lawson is planning to offer wooden spoons to customers instead of single-use plastic ones. It is part of an effort to cut down on plastic waste. (NHK)

I took an extremely comfortable bus from Niigata to Tokyo Japan. The bus has only 18 seats on board. The seats are spacious. (Solo Travel Japan)

The Supreme Court has ruled that the second daughter of executed Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara can take possession of his cremated remains and hair, putting an end to a long-running family row over his ashes. (Japan Times)

TOKYO -- If China invades Taiwan, Tokyo may interpret the move as a "threat to Japan's survival" and deploy the Self-Defense Forces to exercise collective self-defense, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso said Monday. (Nikkei)

Today we are taking a look inside a real Japanese Shamisen shop, from Tsugaru Shamisen, to the Japanese Kokyu and so many more original products. (Tokyo Lens)

June to July in Japan is TSUYU or the rainy season and this July, it’s been unstoppable! (ONLY in JAPAN)

The Liberal Democratic Party regained the largest number of seats in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly in Sunday's election for the capital's legislature. (Nikkei)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 47-year-old man over the alleged assault of a woman inside a hotel in the Kabukicho red-light district last month, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Nikkei will stop publishing the Nikkei JASDAQ Stock Average after April 1, 2022. (Nikkei)

A member of Serbia's Olympic rowing team tested positive for the new coronavirus on arrival in Japan, an official said on Sunday, the third Covid-19 infection confirmed among Olympic team members visiting for the Tokyo Games starting this month. (tribune.com)

Ensuring 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries descend on one city over 16 days is a logistical challenge at the best of times. (Japan Times)

Police in Tokyo have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sexually assaulting a junior high school girl after he lured her to a park toilet by threatening her on social media. (Japan Today)

The active seasonal rain front has brought record rain to Shizuoka Prefecture and the southern part of the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures. (NHK)