In an ominous sign of what may lie ahead, the number of bankruptcies has been steadily creeping higher. (Japan Times)

Two Tokyo men in their 80's, who were told by doctors to stay at home despite having developed fevers, were posthumously found to have contracted coronavirus. (NHK)

A sumo stablemaster and five wrestlers have contracted the new coronavirus, the Japan Sumo Association said Saturday, casting doubts on whether next month's Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo can go ahead as scheduled. (Japan Today)

Universities are set to subsidize online classes amid the nationwide state of emergency called over the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Japan Times)

A month at home in isolation may seem like an eternity for those unaccustomed to a lack of person-to-person contact, but the experiences of Japan's large numbers of "hikikomori," or social recluses, may offer some hints on how to stay sane during the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo)

Since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a nationwide state of emergency on April 16 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, people have been looking for ways to keep fresh produce on the table without making extra trips to the supermarket. From individual farmers to cooperatives, here are six ways to bring sustenance to your doorstep. (Japan Times)

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Japan increased to 12,756 on Friday as 327 new cases were reported nationwide. (NHK)

Gunma Prefectural Police on Thursday announced the arrest of a 25-year-old woman and her former boyfriend for allegedly abusing her 4-year-old son, who later died, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Apr. 23). (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan is working on a subsidy to ensure that temporarily idled small-business employees receive 100% of their wages during the current state of emergency, Nikkei has learned. (Nikkei)

The coronavirus outbreak has forced the halt of thousands of construction projects in Japan, putting jobs of subcontractors and other workers at risk. (NHK)

Aichi Prefectural Police on Thursday arrested a 61-year-old man living in Tokyo for allegedly dripping his own blood onto dozens of covers for seats inside a Shinkansen train, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 24). (tokyoreporter.com)

Thanks to the coronavirus outbreak, the simple act of going stepping out your front door has become something to stop and ask yourself “Do I really need to?” about. And If leaving your house or apartment has become a questionable decision, that goes double for leaving the country. (Japan Today)

Another Japanese celebrity fell victim to the coronavirus on Thursday. Actress Okae Kumiko died of pneumonia caused by COVID-19 at a hospital in Tokyo. She was 63. (NHK)

Garbage collectors operating amid the coronavirus crisis are risking infection and struggling to keep operations running smoothly, leading them to call for the distribution of more protective items. (Japan Times)

The Japan Racing Association said Thursday it will extend course closures through May 31 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, meaning the Japanese Derby and a number of other high-profile races will be run behind closed doors. (Kyodo)

In early April, it took an average 5.5 days from when people in Japan developed fevers or coughs to receiving positive test results for the new coronavirus. As of Saturday, it had slowed to 7.3 days. (Nikkei)

In Japan, cuteness isn’t just for kids, but an important part of any organization’s PR efforts. So you can be sure that if even an enema company has an adorable mascot character in Japan, one of the country’s largest banks does too. (soranews24.com)

A man has died in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, while waiting to be hospitalized for the coronavirus. (NHK)

An NHK survey has found that nearly 10 percent of people infected with the coronavirus in Japan are believed to have contracted the pathogen inside hospitals and other medical institutions. (NHK)

The mayor of the western Japanese city Osaka came under fire on social media on Friday after saying women take longer than men shopping for groceries as he tried to promote social distancing to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the city. (Reuters)

A Japanese surfers' association is asking its members to stay at home because a state of emergency is in place for the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)

The Tokyo governor has urged residents to go shopping less frequently to reduce the chances of coronavirus infections at supermarkets and shopping arcades. (NHK)

Tokyo’s first drive-through coronavirus test centre was launched this week, as Japan ramps up efforts to prevent its medical system crumbling under the growing weight of new infections. (Reuters)

Japan plans to prevent foreign companies from acquiring domestic pharmaceutical and medical equipment makers, Nikkei has learned. (Nikkei)

Japan's primary and secondary students are at risk of falling behind the rest of the world as the country's wheels of bureaucracy have been slow to adapt to restrictions brought about by the coronavirus outbreak. (Nikkei)