Japan on Tuesday urged the World Health Organization to allow Taiwan to join its plenary sessions as an observer to discuss the global response to the new coronavirus pandemic. (Japan Today)

Most Starbucks stores in Japan reopened Tuesday as the number of new coronavirus infections has fallen in recent weeks, with outlets in Tokyo, Osaka and some other urban areas still offering takeout services only. (Japan Today)

Tokyo reported just five new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, the latest sign of progress in the battle against the outbreak as the city remains under a state of emergency. (NHK)

At around 4:30 a.m. on May 14, a woman took her life by jumping off a pedestrian bridge in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward. Upon impact with a truck driving beneath the bridge, the woman passed away immediately. However, the driver of the truck carried on for nearly 2 kilometers before noticing an unusual weight on the truck’s loading tray. (Japan Today)

The government and ruling coalition parties agreed Monday to shelve a plan to enact a law to extend the retirement age of prosecutors during the current Diet session, amid heated criticism from the Japanese public led by celebrities who have taken to Twitter to express their opposition. (Japan Today)

Adam Fulford is our guest today. He's been living in Japan for many years and has seen a lot, experienced a lot and will share his stories with us today. From NHK to projects in Tohoku, Japan's "Bubble Era" to the 21st century, get ready for some history! (ONLY in JAPAN)

Japan's Defense Ministry has launched its first space operations unit to protect Japanese satellites in outer space. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 27-year-old man who allegedly injured several persons by causing a crash while driving his vehicle in reverse in Koto Ward earlier this year, reports TBS News (May 18). (tokyoreporter.com)

Efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus are yielding encouraging results in Tokyo, with officials reporting just 10 new cases in the Japanese capital on Monday. (NHK)

More and more people in Japan have started baking to pass time at home as they refrain from outings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to shortages of flour products on store shelves. (Japan Times)

While China’s tensions with the United States and Australia have been sharply intensifying over its handling of the new coronavirus outbreak, the Asian power has been apparently aiming to bolster ties with its neighbors — Japan and South Korea. (Japan Times)

In what would have been a windfall year had the Olympic Games proceeded as planned, Japan's hotel chains are instead facing an existential threat after the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the travel industry. (Nikkei)

Japan is casting an even wider protectionist net to shield its big companies. (Japan Times)

The daily number of new coronavirus cases reported in Tokyo on Sunday dropped to five, the lowest since the capital was placed under a state of emergency on April 7, and the sources of infection could be traced in all these cases, the metropolitan government said. (Kyodo)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a female university student over the alleged smuggling of stimulant drugs from the U.S., reports TBS News (May 15). (tokyoreporter.com)

Businesses began reopening across parts of Japan on Saturday, as dozens of prefectures entered their first weekend since being released from a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)

Japanese health authorities reported 57 new cases of coronavirus infection and 19 deaths on Saturday. (NHK)

It was around the middle of February when the first scintilla of doubt began to form in Yu Okada’s mind that his April 4 wedding might not proceed as planned. (Japan Times)

If you've lived and worked in Japan -- especially as an English teacher in Japanese schools, then you might know that the high-tech image of Japan is still somewhat of an illusion. (soranews24.com)

In an unexpected move, the Lower House Cabinet Committee on Friday postponed a vote on a bill that would extend the retirement age for prosecutors, pushing back a showdown over the controversial plan until next week. (Japan Times)

Japan's health authorities reported 46 new cases of coronavirus infection and 14 deaths on Friday. (NHK)

Japan will test around 10,000 people for coronavirus antibodies starting from next month, as part of efforts to better understand the deadly infection, health minister Katsunobu Kato said Friday. (Japan Today)

After nearly three decades as a nurse, Hori Narumi was looking forward to retiring this year. But the coronavirus outbreak has put those plans on hold. Japan was struggling with a shortage of nurses even before the epidemic. Now, the situation has reached a crisis point. (NHK)

Tokyo police have arrested a man on suspicion of stealing money from a pub whose operating hours have been cut short to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus. (NHK)

NHK has learned that the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics has begun considering spending cuts in more than 100 areas. (NHK)