A guitarist for “visual-kei” band Codomo Dragon has gone missing, the group revealed via its Twitter account last week. (tokyoreporter.com)

Japanese women who work for social change out of the public eye often go unrecognized, but a new award aims to change that by honoring unsung heroes who effect grassroots reform in their communities. (Kyodo)

Tokyo man arrested for forcibly tattooing his initials into the butt of a maid cafe employee (Japan Today)

Japan reported in 2017 over 5,000 syphilis patients for the first time since comparable data became available in 1999, with the number rising particularly among women in their 20s, data by a national research center showed Friday. (Japan Today)

An 405 kg (892 pound) bluefin tuna has sold for ¥36.5 million ($320,000) in what may really be Tsukiji market's final year-opening auction at its current site in downtown Tokyo, media reports said Friday. (Japan Times)

The Japanese government will launch a project to convert all traditional squat toilets in popular tourist destinations into sit-on types that are more commonly used in other developed countries. (NHK)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in apologized to former "comfort women" Thursday, saying the 2015 agreement with Japan negotiated by his predecessor's government in an effort to bring closure to the wartime issue failed to consider the wishes of the women themselves. (Nikkei)

Kumamoto Prefectural Police have arrested a 47-year-old man over the stabbing death of his father at their residence in Kumamoto City, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

American blogger Logan Paul apologized Tuesday after getting slammed for a video he shared on YouTube that appeared to show a body hanging in a Japanese forest known as a suicide spot. (Japan Today)

Fifteen people were rushed to hospitals in the capital after choking on sticky mochi rice cakes on New Year's Day, with two of the victims later being confirmed dead, reports the Asahi Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, along with other members of the imperial family, welcomed 2018 with a New Year's ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Kyodo)

People in Japan have rung in the New Year with celebrations around the country. (NHK)

Millions on Japanese ushered in the new year early Monday by visiting shrines, as well as going to vantage spots to watch the first sunrise (hatsuhinode) of 2018. (Japan Today)

A fire broke out in a four-story building along the busy Center-gai shopping street in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on Sunday afternoon amid reports that people were trapped inside. (Japan Times)

Millions of Japanese people will visit shrines in Japan on Sunday night and Monday morning, return to their home towns to be with their families and watch the New Year variety show "Kohaku Uta Gassen" (Red and White Song Contest) on NHK as part of the annual New Year celebration. (Japan Today)

A section near Tokyo's Shibuya railway station will be made a vehicle-free promenade for the upcoming New Year's countdown. (NHK)

V-ji kaifuku -- a V-shaped recovery -- is how Shukan Jitsuwa (Jan 11-18) describes the "astonishing" turnaround achieved by McDonald's Japan, pulling itself up from don-zoko (rock bottom). (Japan Today)

The capital saw its first snowfall of the season on Sunday as cold air gripped eastern Japan with the approach of a low pressure system, the Meteorological Agency said. (Japan Times)

Japanese travelers are crowding highways, train stations and airports as they head to their hometowns and leisure spots for the New Year holidays. (NHK)

A 44-year-old male musician from Canada has been sent to prosecutors for attempting to smuggle nearly 10 kilograms of stimulant drugs through Narita International Airport earlier this month, reports Nikkan Sports. (tokyoreporter.com)

Workers at the Tokyo Sky Tree landmark tower have cleaned an observation deck in preparation for the New Year. (NHK)

Around 9 a.m. on a certain day, reporters belonging to the press club attached to the Ministry of Justice were informed that at 11 a.m. the same morning, the justice minister would hold an unscheduled press conference. (Japan Today)

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has issued a virtual green light for the restart of 2 reactors operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO. (NHK)

Japan's Supreme Court has upheld a lower court verdict of acquittal for a former member of the Aum Shinrikyo cult. (NHK)

Yokozuna Hakuho will take the next step in his career achievement calendar next month when he steps into the ring to start the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Jan. 14. (Japan Times)