On this one-day trip, we explore Hakone, a popular destination close to Tokyo, using the new digital version of the Hakone Freepass. The area is famous for its natural beauty, hot springs, and views of Mount Fuji. (japan-guide.com)

Japan's ANA Holdings Inc. will partner with U.S. startup Joby Aviation Inc. with the aim of launching air taxi services here, both companies said Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Japan suffered a 10-4 defeat to Great Britain in Beijing Olympics women's curling on Tuesday as their record fell to 4-3 in the 10-team round-robin. (Japan Today)

Some municipalities in Japan have reported delays in deliveries of food and other supplies for people recuperating at home after being infected with the coronavirus. (NHK)

Cyber security experts are warning that the resurfaced Emotet malware is spreading rapidly. (NHK)

PETER MACINTOSH is a Canadian, entrepreneur, mixed media artist, and geisha culture guru living in Kyoto since 1993. (CM Director Japan)

Japan Airlines says it has been hit by a computer system failure that is affecting automated check-ins and online booking procedures for both domestic and international flights. (NHK)

Japan is considering shortening the quarantine period for those entering the country from the current seven days to three, as part of its eased COVID-19 border controls, government sources said Wednesday. (Kyodo/Nikkei)

Japan’s Olympic title defense in the women’s speedskating team pursuit ended in heartbreak Tuesday at the Beijing Games after Nana Takagi fell on the last bend of the final to hand the gold medal to Canada. (Japan Times)

In Japan, more than 91,000 new coronavirus cases were confirmed on Wednesday. But in the 7-day period through Tuesday, the number of weekly infections dropped for the first time in two and a half months. (NHK)

As the Bank of Japan asserts its standing as a lone dove among its peers, the yen is reclaiming its status as the world's most popular funding currency. (nasdaq.com)

An unusual natural winter phenomenon called “Juhyo” has created magical “snow monster” like figures on Japan’s Mount Zao, a volcano in Yamagata prefecture. (South China Morning Post)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, amid concerns about Russia’s possible invasion of the country. (Japan Times)

Anyone who’s spent time in Japan, will likely have crossed paths with peculiar statues of bug-eyed, slack-jawed animals straddling a pair of gigantic testicles. These jolly critters are tanuki, sometimes known as “raccoon dogs.” (Japan Today)

The former head of Japan's largest university admitted to tax evasion in a Tokyo District Court hearing on Tuesday. (NHK)

Japan's Princess Yohko has been discharged from the hospital where she was being treated for COVID-19. (NHK)

“Oh I need some finger snacks for a beer”. This line was the beginning story of this restaurant, “Kitsuneya” (Japanese food craftsman)

Some Olympians may be disappointed with less than gold, but Big Air medallist Kokomo Murase was delighted to win bronze in her debut Olympics and become the youngest Japanese woman to stand on the podium at the Winter Games. (channelnewsasia.com)

The 1975 will make their live comeback at Japan's Summer Sonic festival in August. (list.co.uk)

Gambling and 'luck-based games' have long been seen as shady business' in Japan, owing to how Japanese society and traditions view the concept of betting in general. (newsonjapan.com)

For 10 years viewers and companies have been asking me to run a tour of Japan. The reality is it'd be a disaster. Here's why. (Abroad in Japan Clips)

Women overtook men for the first time in the acceptance rate at Japan's medical schools for the 2021 academic year that started in April, an education ministry survey showed Wednesday, in a sign of improvement over gender-based discrimination in entrance examinations that came to light a few years ago. (Kyodo)

Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Oscar-nominated Drive My Car has grossed more than $1m at the US box office and will debut on HBO Max on March 2 following an acquisition by WarnerMedia OneFifty. (screendaily.com)

In recent years, anime has become popular leisure for many people. (newsonjapan.com)

Just after McDonald’s Japan resumed selling large and medium-size French fries, Mos Burger announced that it was suspending sales of both small and large-size French fries side orders due to hampered supply lines and a lack of potatoes. (econotimes.com)