Quantum computing will reach the practical stage by 2035, and human outposts will be established on the moon and Mars by 2040, an institute under Japan's science ministry predicts. (Nikkei)

Thousands of costumed revelers packed the scramble crossing near Tokyo's Shibuya Station to celebrate Halloween on Thursday night. (NHK)

As companies across Japan raised prices to adjust to the 2 percentage-point hike in consumption tax on Oct.1, railroad operator Keikyu went against the grain by reducing fares on its cash cow Haneda Airport-to-central Tokyo route by about 30%. (Nikkei)

The town of Kutchan, part of the Niseko tourism zone that includes a number of popular ski resorts in Hokkaido, introduced a 2 percent levy Friday for stays at all lodging facilities in its jurisdiction, marking the first such accommodation tax system in Japan. (Japan Today)

State media in North Korea on Friday said the country successfully tested a "super-large rocket launcher " the day before. (NHK)

Tokyo's famous Shibuya district was bustling with costume-clad Halloween revelers on Thursday night as the area remained under a street drinking ban and heavy police surveillance in efforts to prevent a possible repeat of last year's anti-social behavior. (Japan Today)

On October 28, users of Japanese video-streaming website Niconico were shocked when a young Japanese man who was live-streaming his hike to the top of Mt. Fuji tumbled off of Japan’s highest mountain. (soranews24.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a professor from the Kyushu Institute of Technology for allegedly stalking a sex worker in the capital, reports NHK (Oct. 29). (tokyoreporter.com)

The Imperial Household Agency says Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit three prefectures in western Japan next month for ceremonies related to the Emperor's enthronement. (NHK)

Major Japanese railway and utility companies expect a recent series of typhoons to hit their business hard. (NHK)

Tokyo police are warning Halloween revelers to be on the alert for pickpockets in the Shibuya district. (NHK)

For her graduation thesis, Mizuki Tanaka, then an art history student at Meiji Gakuin University, chose to explore how the motif of Mount Fuji evolved into the most commonly used in murals decorating sentō (public bathhouses) dotting the capital. (Japan Times)

Torrential rainfall from a low-pressure system has caused flooding and mudslides in eastern and northeastern Japan. Four people have been confirmed dead. At least two others are missing. (NHK)

Japan's Environment Minister is telling children not to touch any unusual ants if they see one. The warning comes after at least 50 queens of a poisonous species of fire ant were found in a Tokyo port facility. (NHK)

A 35-year-old man walking on the train platform at Nishiarai Station in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward was killed in a freak accident on Wednesday after his bag got caught on the side of a passing train. (Japan Today)

The mayor of Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has vowed to prevent trouble in his district during Halloween starting this weekend. (NHK)

The crowded skyline of one of Tokyo's most famous neighborhoods has a new addition. The Shibuya Scramble Square building is the area's tallest skyscraper and is set to offer visitors hundreds of new shopping and dining options. (NHK)

Electric vehicles and cars designed for short trips are in the spotlight at the Tokyo Motor Show as automakers face growing pressure to address vehicle emissions and develop a growth strategy that will help them to overcome Japan's shrinking market. (Japan Today)

Foreign dignitaries enjoyed a rare joint show of Japanese traditional arts on Wednesday at a banquet following the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito the previous day. (Kyodo)

Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested a staff member at a kindergarten in Munakata City over the alleged abuse of a male pupil earlier this year, reports Kyodo News (Oct. 21). (tokyoreporter.com)

Three people were arrested Tuesday as citizens opposed to Japan's imperial system rallied in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district and other areas, protesting the emperor's enthronement ceremony held at the Imperial Palace the same day, police said. (Kyodo)

Former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn is preparing to plead not guilty to all charges in the pay scandal that led to his ouster from the Japanese automaker. (Nikkei)

Central Japan Railway plans to expand its ticketless boarding service for the Tokyo-Osaka shinkansen bullet train line as early as April, allowing more foreign visitors to pay for seats in advance abroad. (Nikkei)

The Japanese weather agency warned people in Tokyo and northern Nagano that heavy rainfall Tuesday may set off flooding and mudslides, including in areas recovering from a deadly typhoon. (Japan Today)

If you live in the Tokyo area, it’s inevitable that you’re going to spend a lot of time on public transportation. On Monday, one of the metro area’s newest residents got an early start on that by spending the first moments of their life being born aboard a moving train. (soranews24.com)