Tokyo Metropolitan Police utilized a sting operation in netting a woman, 31, in the attempted fraud of a man in Katsushika Ward, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

An underground ice wall being built to keep groundwater from entering the crippled nuclear reactor buildings in Fukushima is expected to be completed soon. (NHK)

Japan Tobacco Inc said on Wednesday it hoped to catch up with Philip Morris International Inc in smokeless tobacco by expanding the number of smoke-free restaurants and public places that allow its vaping product. (Japan Today)

The frequent tests and growing sophistication of North Korean missiles is prompting the Japanese government and the general public to think carefully about civil defence. What if Pyongyang actually did fire missiles at a major Japanese city? (aljazeera.com)

Sony Corp. said Thursday it will resume production of vinyl records for the first time in three decades this fiscal year as the format sees a resurgence in popularity. (Japan Times)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested two men suspected in the swindling of hundreds of persons via a site that claimed to provide fee-based horse racing tips, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a male programmer for allegedly producing so-called “dangerous drugs” in his residence in Nerima Ward earlier this year, reports Fuji News Network (tokyoreporter.com)

Fukuoka Prefectural Police have revealed that a 44-year-old man accused of stalking a member of popular idol group HKT48 in Fukuoka City also pursued another member, reports TBS News. (tokyoreporter.com)

The yen may face a test of confidence as Tokyo aims to boost the currency’s presence abroad at a time when China has been eclipsing Japan’s clout on the world stage. (Japan Times)

Japan and Russia started their first study Tuesday to assess the potential for joint economic activities on disputed islands controlled by Moscow but claimed by Tokyo, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said. (Japan Today)

Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a male employee at an institution for the disabled for allegedly engaging in illicit acts with a female pupil, who was 13 at the time, in Hiratsuka City last month, reports Nikkan Sports (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police used data from a social media application in apprehending a male teacher alleged in the molestation of a woman in Fussa City earlier this month, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Saitama Prefectural Police have arrested a lawyer for allegedly molesting a woman inside a crowded train early Saturday, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Tuesday revealed that a 32-year-old man has been arrested for posting a death threat on the blog of one of the most popular members of idol group Kamen Joshi (Masked Girls), reports the Asahi Shimbun. (tokyoreporter.com)

Hokkaido Prefectural Police are investigating what is believed to have been a suicide after the body of a boy was found at an apartment building in Sapporo on Monday, report TV Asahi. (tokyoreporter.com)

North Korea now appears able to hit Japan with a nuclear missile, a Tokyo-based newspaper has reported. (independent.co.uk)

Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested a 44-year-old man for allegedly stalking a member of a popular idol group in Fukuoka City, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Gaffe-prone Finance Minister Taro Aso made a comment Saturday about a junior lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who indicated her intent to leave the party due to allegations that she abused one of her secretaries, stressing her gender. (Japan Times)

Playing at the main softball venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, world No. 1 Japan beat the United States 5-3 on Sunday to clinch their three-game series. (Japan Times)

Saga Prefectural Police have launched an investigation following the discovery on Sunday of a male government official with burns near a burned-out vehicle with a corpse inside, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

The head of Japanese airbag maker Takata says he will step down to take responsibility for the company's failure. (NHK)

Struggling Japanese airbag maker Takata has filed for bankruptcy protection in a Tokyo court, following massive recalls of its products around the world. (NHK)

Chiba Prefectural Police have arrested the prefecture’s youngest city councilor in its history for allegedly allegedly engaging in illicit acts with an underage girl last year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Officials at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo said Friday that the giant panda born there last week is a female. (Japan Times)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Friday re-arrested actor Ryo Hashizume for the use stimulant drugs. The actor was already in custody for possession of the banned substances, reports TBS News. (tokyoreporter.com)