A man in his 40's from Gifu Prefecture in central Japan has tested positive for the Omicron variant. He returned to Japan on December 4 after a stay in Sri Lanka. (NHK)

Japanese researchers have developed masks that use ostrich antibodies to detect COVID-19 by glowing under ultraviolet light. (INQUIRER.net)

A senior official of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party says the government will take into consideration the level of the delegation China sent to the Tokyo Olympics in deciding about possibly joining a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Games. (NHK)

There will be no World Cup Ski Jumping events in Japan this season, it has been confirmed. (eurosport.co.uk)

Japanese weather officials say the La Nina weather pattern appears to be continuing. They are warning of heavier snowfall this winter, mainly on the Sea of Japan side of the country. (NHK)

For those curious or interested working at a Japanese university, here's a quick tour of what a typical faculty member's office looks like - specifically my space. (Paul del Rosario)

Japan is a remarkable country, famous for cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, anime and cool technology. But it is also home to some completely weird and sometimes wonderful ideas and objects that are unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else on our planet. (The Fancy Banana)

Police in Kikugawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, have arrested an 81-year-old man after the car he was driving hit a group of elementary school children, injuring five of them, on Thursday. (Japan Today)

Police in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, have arrested a 35-year-old unemployed woman on suspicion of killing a 76-year-old man at the nursing home where she used to work in 2020. (Japan Today)

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan's wholesale inflation hit a record 9.0% in November, pushing gains for a ninth straight month, a sign upward pressure on prices from supply bottlenecks and rising raw material costs were broadening. (Nikkei)

A 69-year-old man in a wheelchair died after he was hit by a train while on a crossing in Higashi-Osaka on Thursday. (Japan Today)

Masayuki Uemura, the lead architect for the breakthrough Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super NES, and a visiting professor at Ritsumeikan University, has died, the university said Thursday. He was 78. (Kyodok)

Fighter aircraft and tanks are conducting live-fire drills while a US multiple rocket system has been deployed as American and Japanese troops carry out one of their largest joint military drills in recent years. (South China Morning Post)

Police in Ryugasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, have arrested a 62-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder after he doused his 53-year-old wife with alcohol disinfectant and set fire to her. (Japan Today)

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Tokara island chain in southern Japan on Thursday morning, local time. (NHK)

Born and raised in Japan, 4-year-old female giant panda Xiang Xiang was supposed to return to China by the end of this month, but the coronavirus pandemic has postponed her arrival again. (cgtn.com)

Health officials in Japan have confirmed the country's fourth case of the Omicron variant. (NHK)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed on Thursday to do his utmost to push for meaningful progress at a January meeting to review the Non-Proliferation Treaty and encourage action to rid the world of nuclear weapons. (kfgo.com)

Japan's Empress Masako on the occasion of her 58th birthday Thursday expressed hopes that her daughter Princess Aiko, who recently came of age, would "grow step by step" to successfully fulfill her duties as an adult member of the imperial family. (Kyodo)

Japanese billionaire Maezawa Yusaku has arrived at the International Space Station. The 46-year-old fashion entrepreneur and his assistant are the first Japanese private citizens to visit the Earth-orbiting station. (NHK)

The total amount of money circulating in Japan rose at the slowest annual pace in 19 months in November, as firms and households saw less need to hoard cash with the economy emerging from the initial shock caused by the COVID-19 crisis. (fxempire.com)

Advertisements for a sex toy company plastered over the ice at qualifiers for the Beijing Olympics curling competition have prompted Japanese public broadcaster NHK to pull matches off the air. (Japan Times)

In our digital world today, the internet has brought many benefits, increasing the visibility of businesses and allowing for the smooth running of large organizations. (newsonjapan.com)

After two years of the pandemic, it is time to start enjoying a good trip and relaxing, but always keeping in mind the necessary restrictions of the country. (newsonjapan.com)

In Japanese history and culture, the use and appreciation for the nodachi sword have been practiced for a long time. (newsonjapan.com)