Some major theme parks in Japan have decided to extend their closure period due to the spread of the new coronavirus. (NHK)

Japan's newly approved 1 trillion yen ($9.6 billion) bailout for companies impacted by the novel coronavirus arrives as most small businesses limp along on just a month's worth of cash. (Nikkei)

The Japanese government is set to deny entry to visitors from the northern area of Italy which is the latest hot spot in the coronavirus crisis. (NHK)

A growing number of Japanese stores and restaurants are having to shut their doors temporarily as employees become infected with the new coronavirus. (Nikkei)

Travelers arriving to Japan from two neighboring countries are now facing stricter controls. The tight restrictions are part of the government's efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus... but they've left some passengers confused. (NHK)

Ibaraki Prefectural Police have arrested a 41-year-old employee after he seriously injured a male colleague with an air compressor in Kamisu City, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Mar. 7). (tokyoreporter.com)

The health ministry said Monday it has urged local governments to prepare their hospitals for an influx of people infected with the new coronavirus, and has provided metrics that can be used to calculate the numbers expected at the outbreak’s peak. (Japan Times)

The Yamanote Line’s first new station since 1971 was unveiled to the media on Monday, with East Japan Railway Co. showcasing robots and other “futuristic” features to help people find their way around. (Japan Times)

Police in Tokyo said Friday they have arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of sexually molesting two sisters aged 6 and 4 at a shopping center last October. (Japan Today)

A court ruled Friday that Tokyo Medical University, which has admitted to rigging its exams to limit the entrance of female and certain male applicants, is obligated to reimburse candidates who were penalized. (Japan Today)

Online marketplace operator Rakuten Inc said Friday it has decided to effectively postpone its plan to offer free shipping from March 18 following a backlash from retailers who are to shoulder the cost of the new service. (Japan Today)

The Japanese government is asking travelers from China and South Korea to self-quarantine for two weeks starting from Monday in light of the coronavirus outbreak. (NHK)

The live music scene in Osaka seems to be spreading the new coronavirus. (NHK)

As many schools in Japan close temporarily to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, part-time teachers and other school staff face a loss of income. (NHK)

Japanese wireless carrier SoftBank Corp said Thursday it will launch its super-fast 5G services on March 27, becoming the first of the country's three major mobile carriers to release details of its next-generation telecommunications service. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a male photographer over the alleged rape of an aspiring model at his studio in Setagaya Ward, reports TV Asahi (Mar. 5). (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan's government is ramping up its battle against the coronavirus. The prime minister wants opposition leaders to back plans allowing him to declare a state of emergency should that become necessary. (NHK)

Entertainer Masashi Tashiro was found guilty Wednesday of using and possessing illegal stimulants last November. (Japan Times)

Japan on Wednesday lifted an evacuation order for parts of Futaba, one of two towns where the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is located, ahead of an Olympic torch relay in the region. (Japan Times)

One of the best things about spring in Japan might be non-existent this year because of the coronavirus. (soranews24.com)

The Tokyo Olympics organizing committee informed the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday of its plans to cope with conditions related to the current coronavirus outbreak during the torch relay starting from March 26. (Kyodo)

Seven new cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Japan on Tuesday, bringing the total to 987. That includes more than 700 from a quarantined cruise ship docked near Tokyo. (NHK)

For all of Elon Musk’s domination of the burgeoning electric vehicle business, Tesla Inc. is struggling to get traction in Japan, a market he put on a pedestal early in the automaker’s early days. (Japan Times)

As Japan suffers a coronavirus-induced drop in travel, hotel chains are slashing room rates for about 30% of stays during the normally busy early spring season, a Nikkei analysis of online booking sites shows. (Nikkei)

Japan is becoming a center of concern as the coronavirus spreads globally, with the country’s official infection tally suspected to be the tip of the iceberg of a much wider outbreak. (Japan Times)