The Japanese government has decided to lift anti-virus restrictions in three prefectures this week because the COVID situation is improving there. (NHK)

Japanese mayonnaise manufacturer Kewpie has developed a vegetarian version of scrambled eggs that are made of soy beans, as demand for such products rise. (Nikkei)

Like many of us, Emma has had her travel plans derailed by coronavirus. But after months of delay, the white rhino has arrived in Japan and is looking for love. (timesofmalta.com)

When Olympics organisers shifted the marathon event from Tokyo to Sapporo, they did so because of concerns about the intense summer heat in the capital. (Japan Times)

Where is the best location in Tokyo to stay, to visit, to eat? Many say it’s Shinjuku. (ONLY in JAPAN * GO)

The mercury rose above 35 degrees Celsius for the first time in Japan this year on Wednesday as temperatures surged across wide areas of the country. (NHK)

Japan's trade ministry colluded with Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) management to unduly influence a key shareholder vote last year, an independent probe found, undermining Tokyo's efforts to improve corporate governance and win over foreign investors. (Reuters)

When it comes to the supernatural, the cops have Alexandra Trese on speed dial. (Netflix Anime)

Last month, the United States placed Japan on its list of Level-4 travel advisory countries, the highest possible ranking and one which carries a “do not travel” warning, due to the country’s coronavirus conditions. Just over two weeks later, though, Japan has now been removed from Level-4 status. (soranews24.com)

A woman carrying her baby daughter jumped from a bridge connecting Kansai International Airport to the mainland in Osaka Prefecture on Wednesday. Both died in the incident which police believe was a murder-suicide. (Japan Today)

Shohei Ohtani went deep in the first inning, crushing his 17th home run of the season 470 feet (143 meters) to right field in the Los Angeles Angels' 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. (Kyodo)

The Imperial Household Agency has reopened the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The site was closed for six months, due to the coronavirus pandemic. (NHK)

The International Olympic Committee has announced that 29 refugee athletes will take part in the Tokyo Games. (NHK)

TOKYO -- A fierce battle is taking place among nations determined to ensure post-pandemic economic growth, one that centers on job retraining. (Nikkei)

Japan's lower house adopted a resolution Tuesday condemning the Feb. 1 coup staged by the Myanmar military and urging the Southeast Asian country to return to democracy. (abs-cbn.com)

A capsule hotel in Yokohama, Japan has been transformed into an venue for airsoft survival games after going out of business during the coronavirus pandemic. With the premises still in good shape, the hotel’s owners partnered with an airsoft-themed bar to host the competitions. (South China Morning Post)

The pandemic has shaken up the rankings of the world’s most livable cities, a study released Wednesday showed, with Osaka and Tokyo ranking in the top five and metropolises in Australia and New Zealand also leaping ahead of those in Europe. (Japan Times)

Taiwan's government on Tuesday slammed as "distorted" and full of "rumors" an article recently posted on social media that inaccurately reported on Japan's donation of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan (focustaiwan.tw)

SAPPORO – A woman in a same-sex relationship filed a damages suit on Wednesday against her former employer the Hokkaido government and a mutual aid association seeking ¥4.8 million ($43,000) for being denied spousal benefits. (Japan Times)

A court in Seoul has dismissed a lawsuit filed against 16 Japanese companies to compensate Koreans who were forced to work in factories during World War II, citing a possible violation of the 1965 treaty between the two nations. (RT)

Nineteen-year-old Saso Yuka has won the US Women's Open golf tournament after a playoff with fellow Japanese golfer Hataoka Nasa. (NHK)

Japan is considering maintaining the current order of imperial succession, with the discussion on whether female monarchs will be allowed to ascend the throne to be held in the future, government sources said Monday. (Kyodo)

A high-ranking official for the Japanese Olympic Committee jumped in front of a train in an apparent suicide on Monday in Tokyo, according to local reports. (nypost.com)

Japan's telecom giant NTT has announced that its executives, including the president, will have their pay cut due to wining and dining scandals involving the communications ministry. (NHK)

Many schools in Japan's southern prefecture of Okinawa are temporarily closing starting Monday to curb the spread of coronavirus infections. (NHK)