Soon the Japanese capital's trendsetting Shibuya district will boast a cafe staffed by humanoid robots that can recommend perfect desserts for customers. (Nikkei)

A Japanese retiree has been arrested after ringing a phone company 24,000 times to complain they had violated his contract, police and local media reported. (Japan Times)

Actor Hirofumi Arai was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday after being convicted of sexual assault by the Tokyo District Court. (Japan Today)

Kyoto is one of Japan's best-known tourist destinations and offers a number of choices for luxury accommodations. (Nikkei)

Japan will develop a manned moon rover as the country plays an important role in U.S. President Donald Trump's ambitious mission to return American astronauts to the lunar surface by 2024. (Nikkei)

Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, turned 18 on Sunday, enjoying her last year in high school as she prepares to move on for further studies at university starting next spring. (Kyodo)

Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, has urged his daughter Princess Mako to update the public on her planned marriage to boyfriend Kei Komuro by February. (Japan Times)

The main stadium of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been completed. (NHK)

Two Japanese restaurants have shot to the top of the La Liste ranking of best places to eat in the world, with a third one getting the second highest mark from the authoritative "guide of guides". (Japan Today)

A marionette clock based on Doraemon, the robotic cat from one of Japan’s most popular manga, was unveiled Friday in Tokyo’s Odaiba waterfront district to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the character, which has since been turned into anime, movies and video games. (Japan Times)

South Korea is expanding its screening team for strategic exports by 50% to 45 members on Jan. 1, in response to Japanese concerns that chipmaking chemicals shipped to the country were being leaked for military use. (Nikkei)

In the run-up to next year's anticipated rise in international travel demand, last month, the curfew on landings at Narita Airport was extended to midnight. (Japan Today)

A man pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering a passenger and trying to kill two others in a random knife attack on a shinkansen last year. (Japan Times)

Tourist boats operating in Tokyo Bay, including traditional roofed boats serving food and drinks, are worried that their business will be hurt when next summer's Olympics and Paralympics water games prevent them from operating on popular routes during the high season. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested 11 persons over the alleged abduction and robbery of a man in Ota Ward earlier this year, reports TBS News (Nov. 19). (tokyoreporter.com)

Two men were referred to prosecutors Tuesday on suspicion of smuggling into Japan two rare perentie lizards, a protected species under the Washington Convention, police said. (Japan Today)

A famed Tokyo sushi restaurant where Barack Obama is said to have enjoyed the best sushi of his life has been dropped from the latest Michelin gourmet guide after it stopped accepting reservations from the general public. (Japan Today)

Countries playing host to the Olympics usually get a medal “bounce,” pushed by cheering fans and the advantage of being at home. (Japan Today)

A former professional boxer who spent 48 years in prison for murders he says he did not commit was among some 50,000 people greeting Pope Francis as he entered Tokyo Dome to celebrate Mass on Monday. (Japan Times)

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks, will start selling entrance tickets online later this week ahead of next year's Olympics with an eye on cutting queuing time, the Japanese government said Tuesday. (Japan Today)

Pope Francis has held a mass at Tokyo Dome on Monday in front of a packed audience. (NHK)

Lawyers for parents separated from their children in Japan said on Monday they would appeal a court decision that the government was not responsible for enforcing visitation rights. (Japan Today)

What could be an original piece by the anonymous artist Banksy is on display in Tokyo. The artist is known for his satirical works on buildings and other sites. (NHK)

The approval rating of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet declined 7 points from last month to 50% in the latest Nikkei-TV Tokyo survey, taking a hit from the controversy over supporters being invited to a government-funded event to view cherry blossoms. (Nikkei)

Aichi Prefectural Police launched a murder investigation after a 49-year-old man was found fatally stabbed at his residence in Okazaki City last week, reports TBS News (Nov. 21). (tokyoreporter.com)