Fans living in Japan who bought tickets for the postponed Tokyo Olympics have been guaranteed refunds, the local organizing committee said Friday. (Japan Times)

The capacity of novel coronavirus testing in Tokyo will be increased to about 65,000 per day by early December, Gov. Yuriko Koike said Friday. (Kyodo)

Japan's cumulative coronavirus cases topped 100,000 on Thursday, including about 30,000 cases in Tokyo. (Japan Times)

Japanese home furnishings retailer Nitori Holdings Co. said Thursday it will launch a rival takeover bid in mid-November to make do-it-yourself and hardware store operator Shimachu Co. a wholly owned subsidiary, triggering a fierce acquisition battle with a major DIY store operator. (Japan Times)

Tokyo Disney Resort is expected to keep capacity limits into the new year as its operator tracks toward an annual net loss for the first time with attendance limited amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Nikkei)

Central Japan Railway Company said its net loss in the first half of the fiscal year was about 1.1 billion dollars. Group sales fell 64 percent from the same period in 2019. (NHK)

Hawaii Gov. David Ige said Tuesday travelers from Japan will be exempted from the U.S. state's mandatory 14-day quarantine, starting Nov. 6, if they test negative for the novel coronavirus at designated hospitals within 72 hours prior to arrival. (Kyodo)

The Japanese government is considering extending its domestic travel subsidy program beyond late January to continue support for the tourism sector amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday. (Japan Times)

A center for coronavirus prevention will be in operation during the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next summer. (NHK)

A man in custody in connection with a decapitated corpse found in a residence in Kashiwazaki City last week has told police the body is that of his “brother,” police have revealed, reports the Niigata Nippo (Oct. 24). (tokyoreporter.com)

A Japanese YouTuber and two men were referred to prosecutors on Monday for allegedly placing a mattress on the sidewalk in front of the busy Shibuya scramble crossing in central Tokyo as part of a prank video, investigative sources said. (Kyodo)

Relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea and government officials took part in a memorial service on Saturday for Yokota Shigeru who passed away in June. He was the father of abductee Yokota Megumi. (NHK)

A ceremony was held on Saturday to mark the completion of the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, which will host swimming competitions in next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. (NHK)

I’m on my way to Kochi and I thought I’d take you from departures to the gate! (ONLY in JAPAN)

Japan Airlines Co. began offering discounted coronavirus tests to travelers Friday after teaming up with a medical institution in Tokyo, in a bid to ease concerns about infections and encourage customers to travel amid the pandemic. (Kyodo)

Tokyo and London have agreed the UK's first big post-Brexit trade deal as Britain pushes to keep its economy on track after leaving the European Union. (NHK)

The pass costs 12,000 Yen and is valid for 3 consecutive days. Children 6 to 12 are half price. (ONLY in JAPAN)

Six Japanese scholars have accused the government of breaking a law by rejecting them as members of the country's top academic body. (NHK)

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the utmost effort is necessary to prevent coronavirus infections and fend off cyberattacks ahead of next year's rescheduled Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 29-year-old male elementary school teacher for allegedly requesting that a boy send him indecent pictures, reports NHK (Oct. 23). (tokyoreporter.com)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched its own travel subsidy program Friday, offering Tokyoites discounts of Y5,000 per person for a one-night stay costing ¥6,000 or more at hotels and inns in the capital. ()

Halloween in Japan is expected to be celebrated in new ways this year, at socially distanced events or online with revelers upping their facial decorations, as attempts are being made to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Japan Times)

A 36-year-old man who is suspected of murdering his girlfriend in Takasaki City has said told his wife that he committed the crime before he died in an apparent suicide, police have revealed, reports TBS News (Oct. 21). (tokyoreporter.com)

The mayor of Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has asked people to refrain from coming to the district to celebrate Halloween this year, to prevent spreading of the coronavirus. (NHK)

A coronavirus testing center will open next month at Narita Airport near Tokyo, enabling departing travelers to obtain a negative test result certificate within two hours, the operators said Thursday. (Japan Times)