The Tokyo metropolitan government reported three new coronavirus infections in the capital on Friday, the lowest since Japan declared a state of emergency last month. (Japan Today)

The Tokyo cherry blossoms bloomed in late March. The public couldn’t resist. Case numbers of COVID-19 surged, leading many Western pundits to predict that Tokyo would become the next New York. (Japan Times)

Chiba Prefectural Police have arrested a fireman stationed in Ibaraki Prefecture over the alleged possession of marijuana, reports the Sankei Shimbun (May 20). (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan on Friday included 11 more countries, including India, on its travel advisory list as part of measures against the novel coronavirus pandemic. (aa.com)

Three Japan Railways Group firms said Friday they plan to scale back cancellations of regular bullet train services ahead of a recovery in travel demand expected from the government's lifting of the state of emergency in many areas of the country. (Japan Times)

Japan's government says it is lifting the state of emergency for three western prefectures -- Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo -- and it may do the same for the Tokyo metropolitan area and the northern prefecture of Hokkaido next week. (NHK)

The Japanese government's coronavirus advisory panel has expressed support for the administration's plan to lift the state of emergency in three prefectures in western Japan. (NHK)

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has suggested that the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games will have to be cancelled if they cannot be held next summer. (NHK)

Japan is preparing to gradually ease its entry restrictions on foreign visitors, with business travelers and researchers being the first to get the green light. (Nikkei)

Many Japanese local municipalities are struggling to distribute the universal ¥100,000 coronavirus cash relief due to a heavy workload resulting from handling online applications. (Japan Times)

The head of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutor's Office, who has been the focus of intense scrutiny over his close relationship with the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, submitted his resignation Thursday following a report that he had participated in a game of mahjong while gambling with newspaper employees. (Japan Times)

The Japanese government plans to formally endorse plans to lift the state of emergency declared in three prefectures in western Japan, while maintaining the emergency in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Hokkaido. (NHK)

The number of foreign visitors to Japan plunged by 99.9 percent in April from a year ago due to the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of four male youths over the alleged robbery of a woman at her residence in Ota Ward earlier this year, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (May 20). (tokyoreporter.com)

New rules requiring passengers to reserve space free of charge for their extra-large luggage on some shinkansen lines took effect Wednesday, in response to an increase in foreign tourists in recent years. (Japan Times)

The number of new coronavirus infections remains low in Tokyo with officials reporting just five new cases in the capital on Wednesday. This marks the fourth consecutive day the number of new cases has been 10 or fewer in the capital city of about 14 million. (NHK)

Shinto shrines, where many in Japan pray for good health and safety, have largely shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic, but one Tokyo shrine has gone virtual for those seeking solace online. (Japan Times)

Hiroshima Prefectural Police arrested a 19-year-old boy after he rammed his vehicle into a police station in Fukuyama City early Tuesday, reports the Asahi Shimbun (May 19). (tokyoreporter.com)

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)