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)

A computer file containing data on 2,750 business partners of a unit of Japan Post Co. has been leaked, the parent company said Tuesday. (Japan Times)

Japan is considering creating a hub where financial firms can file regulatory paperwork in English as Tokyo aims to recruit banks and brokerages away from Hong Kong and other parts of the world, according to people familiar with the matter. (Japan Times)

East Japan Railway Co. said Wednesday it will bring forward last train departure times on 17 lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area by up to some 40 minutes from next spring, as late-night passengers continue to decline amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo)

Researchers in Japan say they have confirmed that face masks are effective in both retarding the spread of viruses and reducing the intake of them. (NHK)

Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, rescheduled for next year, have tested ways to carry out safety checks on spectators entering the venues of events. (NHK)

A man who fled from Saitama Prefectural Police during a search of his residence in Saitama City on Tuesday morning remains on the run, police have revealed, reports Nippon News Network (Oct. 20). (tokyoreporter.com)

A former top bureaucrat accused of murdering his socially reclusive son last year entered a plea of not guilty on the grounds of self-defense at the first hearing of his appeal trial Tuesday. (Japan Times)