People are still flocking to shopping arcades in Tokyo and other densely populated cities despite the Japanese government announcing a state of emergency nationwide over the novel coronavirus outbreak. (Kyodo)

Outings in major cities across Japan declined on the first Sunday since the government expanded the state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic to cover the entire nation. But the decrease differed from area to area. (NHK)

At this time of year, under normal circumstances, Sakura Furusato Square in Sakura City, in Tokyo’s neighbouring Chiba Prefecture, is crowded with tourists, who flock to the area to attend the annual Sakura Tulip Festa. (soranews24.com)

E-commerce giant Rakuten Inc. said Monday it has started selling coronavirus testing kits to companies in Tokyo and four surrounding prefectures. (Japan Times)

A Japanese team of researchers has shown that time at Tokyo Skytree’s observatory — around 450 meters above sea level — passes four nanoseconds faster per day than at near ground level. (Japan Times)

McDonald's Japan says it will close the dining areas of its restaurants in 13 prefectures that are under the highest alert for the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)

Shinya Yamanaka couldn't sit still as he considered the possibility of a major coronavirus outbreak in Japan. (Nikkei)

The government has secured over 210,000 hotel rooms nationwide to accommodate those with mild coronavirus symptoms as well as asymptomatic patients as the country tries to contain the spread of the virus, a Cabinet minister said Sunday. (Japan Times)

For traditional Japanese crafts and their contemporary iterations, On: Design is taking a look at four Japanese channels that introduce some of the nation’s artisans through visually stunning shorts. (Japan Times)

Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested Airi Taniguchi, a former member of idol group HKT48, over the alleged possession of marijuana, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Apr. 16). (tokyoreporter.com)

Hospitals in Japan are increasingly turning away sick people as the country struggles with surging coronavirus infections and its emergency medical system collapses. (Japan Today)

Tokyo's iconic Kaminarimon Gate was installed with a new giant lantern, but the unveiling ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. (NHK)

About 60 percent of employees in Tokyo and six other prefectures still commute to offices despite the state of emergency declared to curb the coronavirus pandemic, a think tank survey showed Friday. (Japan Times)

Prefectural governors on Friday urged the central government to be firmer in asking the public not to travel during the upcoming Golden Week holidays after it expanded a state of emergency to cover the entire country. (Japan Times)

Japan’s top airlines are operating a majority of their domestic capacity even though COVID-19 has caused seats on flights to be left mostly empty, amid a lack of clear government directives on the functioning of transport infrastructure during the crisis. (Japan Times)

The distribution of government-issued cloth face masks that are to be provided to every household in the country in the effort to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak began in Tokyo on Friday. (Japan Times)

On April 7, Prime Minster Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and six prefectures due to the coronavirus pandemic. This week, the Chiba Prefectural Government followed suit. (tokyoreporter.com)

Everyone staying indoors means no one is going sightseeing. (soranews24.com)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is set to roll out an ¥800 billion relief package in response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, a figure that far exceeds what was seen in the capital during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis or the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster in March 2011. (Japan Times)

The operator of Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen line says it will cut the number of its train services linking Tokyo and Osaka by about 20 percent due to the coronavirus outbreak. (NHK)

Prime Minister Abe has been accused by critics of prioritizing the economy and the Olympic Games over the well-being of the Japanese public. As his approval rating falls, the number of COVID-19 cases are increasing. (dw.com)

The Japanese government is moving ahead with its decision to expand current areas under a state of emergency to everywhere across the country after it has received feedback from an advisory panel of experts. (NHK)

Japan urged its citizens on Wednesday (Apr 15) to stay home, as media reports warned that as many as 400,000 of them could die of the coronavirus without urgent action, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came under pressure to hand out more cash. (channelnewsasia.com)

Hikari Aizuma helps workers stay sharp and maintain a balanced lifestyle while working from home. (soranews24.com)

Japanese conglomerate Toshiba will soon suspend operations at all its offices and factories in the country, in principle, to prevent coronavirus infections. (NHK)