New threats from the US and China to hit each other with additional tariffs have been shaking up financial markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Share prices and Japanese bond yields are down -- while the yen has climbed against the US dollar to around a seven-and-a-half month high. (NHK)

From kimono rentals to luggage storage apps to language training, Japan's long tourism boom is giving rise to a growing number of niche businesses that cater to the needs of overseas visitors. (Nikkei)

Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono has summoned South Korea's ambassador and lodged a protest at Seoul's decision to end an intelligence-sharing agreement between the two countries. (NHK)

Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a woman and a man for allegedly introducing a teenage girl to men for prostitution last year, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Aug. 21). (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan's capital is set to lay claim to the country's tallest building in 2023, when developer Mori Building aims to complete a 330-meter tower as part of a major redevelopment. (Nikkei)

It has always been a mystery why Summer Sonic is not held in the relative cool of June or July, but at the very height of summer, when the August sun beats down upon the festival’s outdoor stages or typhoons power through the country, threatening disruption and cancellations to the event’s packed schedule. (Japan Times)

A Shinkansen bullet train made an emergency stop after one of its doors opened while speeding through northeastern Japan. (NHK)

The number of South Korean tourists visiting Japan fell last month to its lowest in nearly a year as visitors canceled travel plans amid deteriorating relations between the neighbors, Japanese government data showed on Wednesday. (Japan Times)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 50-year-old man over the alleged abduction of a middle school girl in order to molest her last month, reports TBS News (Aug. 21). (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan's current bubble tea craze has sent tapioca imports soaring to meet the demand for the drink made with cold milk and tapioca balls. (Asahi)

Police in Japan have arrested a man on a national wanted list who is suspected of forcibly stopping a car and beating the driver on a highway. (NHK)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has skipped a visit to the controversial Yasukuni shrine for war dead, but sent a ritual offering on the 74th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender, a gesture likely to be criticised by Asian neighbours. (aljazeera.com)

Japan's new emperor spoke Thursday (Aug 15) of "deep remorse" over the country's wartime past, in his first speech to commemorate the end of World War II since his enthronement in May. (channelnewsasia.com)

Air carriers in Japan have canceled 549 domestic flights for Thursday due to a severe tropical storm approaching western Japan. (NHK)

South Korea says it plans to remove Japan from its top-tier list of countries subject to preferential export procedures. (NHK)

Japan's Imperial Household Agency says Empress Emerita Michiko has been diagnosed with a relatively early stage of breast cancer. Agency officials say that it's unlikely that the cancer has spread to other organs. (NHK)

Although Nara has become a favorite of international tourists in recent years, the city, which served as the nation’s ancient capital from 710 to 784, has historically been a bit off the beaten path. (Japan Times)

Japan has approved the shipment of a hi-tech material to South Korea for the first time since enforcing stricter export controls. (NHK)

Japan's transport ministry has officially decided to introduce new flight routes to and from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to start March 29 next year. (NHK)

The organizing committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games said Wednesday it will sell premium ticket packages including upscale food service and admission to the opening and closing ceremonies, with a top price tag of 6.35 million yen ($60,000). (Kyodo)

Takehiko Fujita wouldn’t be able to do his job selling eye drops and pain relievers without his pocket translator. (Japan Times)

Convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. on Monday shut one of its stores in Shibuya Ward following the emergence of a video showing a rat infestation, the company said. (tokyoreporter.com)

Weather officials are urging continued caution against heatstroke as temperatures are forecast to top 35 degrees Celsius in wide areas across Japan on Wednesday. (NHK)

Some of the capital's most iconic hotels have already stopped taking room reservations during next summer's Olympic Games as the city stares down a 14,000-room shortfall for an expected 10 million visitors when the festivities get underway. (Nikkei)

A strong earthquake has rocked Japan's northeastern prefectures of Fukushima and Miyagi. There is no threat of tsunami. (NHK)