Four members of the Liberal Democratic Party faction led by party Vice President Taro Aso have quit the group, making it the third-largest faction in the ruling party. (Japan Times)

Tokyo is one of the world’s most exciting cities, full of entertainment, restaurants, jobs, people. Why would anyone leave this for — the countryside? (ONLY in JAPAN * John Daub)

A 32-year-old man and his 30-year-old wife have been sentenced to seven years in prison for fatally abusing their 4-year-old daughter in 2017 at their home in Ina, Saitama Prefecture. (Japan Today)

Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Inc. said today that it’s launching a marketplace where users can purchase nonfungible tokens called Rakuten NFT. (siliconangle.com)

Today, we made Fruits Daifuku! It's delicious and easy to make! Please give it a try! (Kimono Mom)

The advance of Russian troops and fighting through Ukraine has prompted Suzuki Motor, Japan Tobacco and other global multinationals to halt operations inside the country to ensure the safety of workers. (Nikkei)

After years of secrecy and denial of UFOs, Japan's government officials had a shift in policy and finally started acknowledging aerial phenomena, in this clip from Season 18, "The World on Alert." (HISTORY)

Cryptex, an anonymous bitcoin exchange, has modified the format of its blog. (newsonjapan.com)

We’re celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities with stories of wonderful queer spaces that celebrate who you are, no matter who you love. (Google)

Japanese conglomerate Hitachi has put together evacuation plans for roughly 7,200 employees in Ukraine, Nikkei has learned, as the Russian invasion sets off a scramble by companies to ensure the safety of their workers. (Nikkei)

Japan Airlines Co Ltd said on Thursday it was cancelling its weekly flight from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Moscow, with decisions on further flights depending on the situation in Ukraine. (brecorder.com)

The number of babies born in Japan last year hit a record low. The health ministry says preliminary figures show that 842,897 babies were born in 2021. (NHK)

Japan will impose additional sanctions targeting Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday, joining the United States and Europe in piling pressure on Moscow that defied international calls for diplomacy. (Kyodo/AFP)

Japan said on Thursday that international travelers showing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson shot would be allowed into the country and would be eligible for a shorter time in quarantine when border controls are eased next month. (Japan Times)

Japan's finance minister says his government is ramping up its sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. He says it will freeze assets belonging to three Russian banks. (NHK)

The Japanese government on Friday started online procedures for foreign entrants ahead of its easing of entry restrictions next week. (NHK)

Japan's daily case numbers of the coronavirus infections remain relatively high. But there's a potential game changer in the fight against COVID-19. (NHK)

A former member of Japanese band "KAT-TUN", Koki Tanaka (36), has been arrested on suspicion of possessing stimulants, according to police. (ANNnewsCH)

Japan's health ministry on Thursday approved Pfizer's COVID-19 pill Paxlovid for patients with mild to moderate symptoms, making it the second such oral medication to receive the fast-track treatment. (Nikkei)

Today, we will be riding the Kintetsu Railway, Hinotori in its incredible ordinary class train. A cheaper but more luxurious alternative to the shinkansen. (Solo Solo Travel)

Drugmaker Shionogi & Co Ltd (4507.T) has applied for approval to make and sell its oral COVID-19 treatment in Japan, the firm said on Friday. (Reuters)

We spent a day in Fukushima City to learn more about their mysterious alien obsession and see if we could get to the bottom of this mystery. Why do UFOs keep visiting Fukushima City in Japan? (Tokyo Creative)

Japan's weather agency on Wednesday raised its alert level for Mt. Ontake in the central part of the country, warning against going near its crater as volcanic earthquakes have increased. (Kyodo)

Japan's doctors and scientists are studying new ways to diagnose and treat hikikomori patients. Hikikomori is the name for those who have withdrawn from society for a prolonged period. ( CNA)

Japanese customers can expect to pay higher prices for European-brand cars this year, due the soaring costs of raw materials and shipping. (NHK)