The government said Friday it plans to postpone this month's ceremonies to celebrate Crown Prince Fumihito's ascent to first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, while Emperor Naruhito described the coronavirus outbreak as "a great challenge to mankind." (Japan Today)

Data from an IT firm shows a sharp drop in night-time visitors to parts of Japanese cities that are usually bustling, after the government declared a state of emergency in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. (NHK)

The Kyoto Prefectural Government will ask the central government to add it to regions placed under a state of emergency amid the coronavirus epidemic, Gov. Takatoshi Nishiwaki said Friday. (Japan Times)

The operator of Narita airport near Tokyo said Friday it will shut one of the two runways as air travel demand has collapsed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Japan Today)

Japan's professional sumo association has reported the first case of coronavirus in one of its wrestlers. (NHK)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced six categories subject to business closure requests to help contain the coronavirus outbreak. (NHK)

A labor union representing staff of Uber Technologies Inc's food delivery service in Japan called Friday for hazard pay and protection against the coronavirus for deliverers working on the front line. (Japan Today)

Aichi Prefecture has asked the central government to add it to regions placed under a state of emergency amid the spread of the new coronavirus, Gov. Hideaki Omura said Thursday. (Japan Times)

Cosmetics maker Kao sees brisk sales of hand soap to hygiene-minded Japanese consumers compensating for slower demand for its mainstay makeup line amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, in good news for investors anticipating higher returns. (Nikkei)

The Japanese government will start mailing reusable cloth masks to all households in the country next week in a bid to address the continuing shortage. (NHK)

A man has been arrested in Tokyo for allegedly breaking an entrance door at a sports club that remained open despite the state of emergency declared due to the new coronavirus outbreak, police said Thursday. (Japan Today)

The operators of some major theme parks in Japan say their gates will be shut for at least another month amid the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to keep restaurants and pubs open with limited hours during Japan's monthlong state of emergency, in an about-face prompted by pressure from the central government. (Nikkei)

Japanese governors urged the state on Wednesday to compensate businesses so they can comply with requests to halt operations and cancel events in order to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, but the central government rejected the call. (Japan Today)

Japan recorded 503 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, its biggest daily increase since the start of the pandemic, as a state of emergency took effect but commuters still crowded some trains into Tokyo despite government calls to stay at home. (Japan Today)

The declaration of a state of emergency in Japan has prompted economists to slash forecasts for three months from April to June. (Nikkei)

Kyoto University Hospital in western Japan says it ordered 116 staff members to isolate themselves at home because they dined out or traveled, despite instructions not to do so. (NHK)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is continuing to transfer people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus but have only mild or no symptoms to a hotel. (NHK)

Municipalities in Tokyo are divided over whether to close the nurseries they operate after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency Tuesday over the virus crisis. (Japan Times)

US media are skeptical about the effectiveness of the state of emergency that Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo declared on Tuesday. They questioned whether the timing was right and pointed out that there are no penalties for noncompliance. (NHK)

Japan's prime minister has officially declared a month-long state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures to curb the spread of infections. (NHK)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared on Tuesday night a state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus after an alarming growth in cases in urban areas. (Japan Today)

A 36-year-old political newcomer has become Japan's youngest-ever female mayor after winning the Tokushima mayoral election on Sunday, according to Japan's city mayors' association. (Japan Today)

Health officials confirmed 143 new coronavirus cases in Tokyo and 16 prefectures on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 4,000. (NHK)

Japanese language schools in the country are unable to welcome new overseas students as the government has invalidated visas issued in more than 170 nations due to the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)