The annual number of juvenile suicides in Japan hit 479 in 2020, the highest figure since records began to be kept in 1980, education ministry data showed Monday. (Kyodo)

The number of patients with seasonal flu in Japan was below 100 during the first seven days of February. That's far below the levels seen before. (NHK)

Dozens of women in Japan danced in Tokyo on February 14, 2021, inspired by the global One Billion Rising campaign, a mass action to end violence against women. (South China Morning Post)

Japan's sake industry is taking on the problem of a surplus of rice specially grown for making the fermented alcoholic beverage as the coronavirus pandemic causes a sharp drop in demand for the drink due to the closure and reduced operating hours of restaurants and bars around the world. (Nikkei)

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says coronavirus vaccinations will begin on Wednesday, starting with medical workers. (NHK)

Japanese voice actress Ai Kayano was embroiled in controversy on Chinese social media after she revealed that she recently paid a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. (globaltimes.cn)

Tokyo's benchmark stock index has hit the 30,000 mark for the first time in over three decades. (NHK)

Over half of Japanese firms believe the Tokyo Olympic Games should be cancelled or postponed, a survey by think tank Tokyo Shoko Research showed on Monday, casting further doubt over the fate of the troubled Games. (Japan Today)

People in parts of Japan are still assessing the damage from Saturday's powerful earthquake which injured more than 150 people. Now they're bracing for more pain...with weather officials forecasting that heavy rain and winds could trigger landslides. (NHK)

Evenings are normally the busiest time at Mikado, a retro gaming arcade in Tokyo, but these days the shutters come down early, leaving Street Fighter fans out in the cold. (malaymail.com)

Japanese officials warned of aftershocks following a strong earthquake in the Fukushima region that left over 100 people injured and many homes without water (Reuters)

There have been disturbing reports in Japan of foreign technical interns abandoning their newborns to avoid deportation. Many of them are unaware they are protected under Japanese labor law, which prohibits the dismissal of employees due to childbirth or pregnancy. (Nikkei)

How to make Japanese Fluffy Cheesecake. Happy Valentine's Day, guys! (Kimono Mom)

People on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido are making the most of the frigid weather by taking part in a fun event on a frozen lake. (euronews.com)

The betting industry is thriving, and although the thrill of winning the game is exciting, most often, paying taxes is a must. (newsonjapan.com)

Video game fans are being asked not to send chocolate to their favorite characters on Valentine’s Day amid the continuing spread of the coronavirus. (Japan Times)

The second round of entrance examinations for national and public universities is scheduled to start on Feb. 25, during a pandemic-impacted exam season that has forced institutions to implement coronavirus countermeasures. (the-japan-news.com)

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck northeastern Japan at around 11:07 p.m. on Saturday, local time. No tsunami warning has been issued. (NHK)

A major expressway in northeastern Japan was damaged by the quake late Saturday. (NHK)

Japan is stepping up its battle against the coronavirus, with revised legislation taking effect Saturday allowing for fines against violators of safety measures, including restaurants that refuse to shorten hours. (Nikkei)

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Sunday reported 371 new cases of the coronavirus, up 2 from Saturday. (Japan Today)

Japanese localities have begun a scramble to secure medical personal to carry out a mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus slated to start next week, with estimates predicting that 11,000 physicians are needed per day nationwide. (Nikkei)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials say 369 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in the Japanese capital on Saturday. (NHK)

This week's episode was shot in Japan, and covers Christianity throughout Northeast Asia. ()

US tech giant Google has revealed that several Japanese media organizations have agreed to join its new global news portal. (NHK)