Tokyo Olympic organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto stated on Friday that local fans in Japan may be barred from attending the Olympics, according to the Associated Press. (CBS)

As calls mount for the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled or postponed, the Japanese government's mishandling of the coronavirus crisis has come into sharp focus. (South China Morning Post)

World number one Novak Djokovic said on Thursday that he would reconsider taking part in the Tokyo Olympics if spectators were banned from attending. (Japan Today)

International students are speaking out against strict entry policies for foreigners imposed by Japan to control COVID-19 transmission and have started a campaign to lobby for entry permits for around 2,000 students unable to take up their places at Japanese universities this year. (universityworldnews.com)

Kataoka Hidetaro, a kabuki actor and living national treasure in Japan, has died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Shochiku Co, a producer of kabuki performances, said Thursday. He was 79. (Japan Today)

An advisory panel to the Japanese government has approved an extension of emergency coronavirus measures for Tokyo and eight other prefectures. (NHK)

A promotional animated video made by France's public broadcaster for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics has gone viral. (NHK)

Japan will let Myanmar citizens remain in the country legally even after their visas expire, in response to deteriorating political conditions in the Southeast Asian nation following the February coup. (Nikkei)

Hackers have accessed information-sharing software developed by Japan's Fujitsu, resulting in data leaks from Japanese government offices. (NHK)

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 37-year-old man over the alleged molestation of a cabin attendant during a flight, reports Nippon News Network. (tokyoreporter.com)

A 30-year-old man in custody for allegedly drugging and raping five women has been accused in a sixth case, police have revealed, reports Nippon News Network (tokyoreporter.com)

A decayed corpse found inside a suitcase in Hikone City earlier this month is that of the victim of a murder 14 years ago, police have revealed, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

Japanese plant-based-meat startup Daiz has kicked off preparations to expand into the U.S., tapping that country's fast-growing market for alternative meats with plans to go global. (Nikkei)

An international rights group on Tuesday urged Japan to change a law that it says puts “abusive and outdated” burdens on transgender people seeking to have their gender change legally recognized, including sterilization surgery and a psychiatric diagnosis. (Japan Today)

Twelve-year-old Kokona Hiraki in women's park skateboarding is set to become the youngest Japanese summer Olympian on record after finishing fifth at a Dew Tour event, the final Tokyo Olympics qualifier. (Kyodo)

KUMAMOTO (TR) – Kumamoto Prefectural Police have launched a murder investigation after a former town councillor was found dead in Kumamoto City, reports TBS News. (tokyoreporter.com)

Exploring inside of Japan's coolest shrine. Embeded in the mountains about 2 hours south of Tokyo in an area with a long history, called Kamakura, there is a shrine that beats all others. (Tokyo Lens Explore)

A yearslong bet on comfy bras and underwear has paid off for Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo, as shoppers gravitated toward functional basics during the pandemic in a trend that looks set to continue in women’s wear. (Japan Times)

The U.S. on Monday warned against all travel to Japan, noting "a very high level of COVID-19 in the country" less than two months before the long-delayed Summer Olympics are to open here. (Nikkei)

Japan's Defense Ministry has announced that 7,348 people were administered coronavirus vaccinations on Monday, the first day of operations of large-scale facilities in Tokyo and Osaka. (NHK)

Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases Director, discusses calls from Tokyo doctors to cancel the Olympic games over Covid safety concerns. (CNBC Television)

Like millions of other Tokyoites enduring month after month of “soft lockdown,” Megumi Takesawa has been stocking up on non-perishables such as canned tuna, tomatoes and corned beef as well as boil-in-the-bag curry. (Japan Times)

The Defense Ministry said Sunday it administered Moderna Inc.'s coronavirus vaccine among Self-Defense Forces members, the first confirmed use of the vaccine in Japan. (Japan Today)

Some of the world's toughest gun-control laws are posing unusual problems at the Tokyo Olympics, from the coach who can't touch a firearm to strict limits on ammunition. (bangkokpost.com)

Kei Komuro, the boyfriend of Princess Mako of Japan, has graduated from Fordham University's law school in New York, a person familiar with the matter said Monday. (Kyodo)