The Japanese government said Friday it will lift a ban on reselling face masks and disinfectant as suppliers have ramped up production enough to resolve a nationwide shortage spurred by the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo)

Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo reopened Saturday for public performances for the first time in five months after taking measures against the novel coronavirus that had prompted its closure. (Kyodo)

Japanese women and men retained second and third places, respectively, on the world's average life expectancy ranking in 2019 as both groups topped a previous record for the eighth straight year, health ministry data showed Friday. (Kyodo)

Earlier this month, Saitama Prefectural Police arrested a 58-year-old man on suspicion of attempting to kill the daughter of his girlfriend. (tokyoreporter.com)

Mongolian-born yokozuna Hakuho withdrew from the July Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday with three days remaining in the relocated event, which is now missing both grand champions. (Kyodo)

Japan's badminton governing body announced the cancellation Wednesday of the 2020 Japan Open because of difficulties stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo)

Health experts are calling the case of two doctors arrested last week on suspicion of assisting in the death of a 51-year-old woman with ALS "fundamentally different" from past euthanasia cases that led to other doctors' convictions for murder in Japan, because she allegedly asked them to kill her for money on Twitter. (Kyodo)

A bodyguard of Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but Kono himself is negative, police and the Defense Ministry said Tuesday. (Kyodo)

Grand champion Hakuho claimed his 10th win for the sole lead at the July Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday, while newly-promoted ozeki Asanoyama suffered his first loss. (Kyodo)

An annual marathon in Hokkaido, called off this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been moved online and attracted a record 3,000 applicants in a week, its biggest draw since the race started in 2015. (Kyodo)

The English edition of a Japanese manga series about a young girl aspiring to be a witch has received the Eisner award, considered to be the Oscars of the comic industry, a Japanese publisher said Saturday. (Kyodo)

The Japan Sumo Association had some harsh words on Saturday for 26-year-old wrestler Abi for eating out with backers in violation of guidelines meant to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo)

A plane carrying a Chilean man accused of murdering a Japanese student in France nearly four years ago landed at a Paris airport Friday morning as part of his extradition process. (Japan Times)

Japan reported on Thursday more than 980 new daily coronavirus infections, marking a record for a second straight day in a resurgence since the government lifted a state of emergency about two months ago. (Kyodo)

As Japanese couples return to tying the knot, a major Japanese wedding service provider has compiled guidelines to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus. (Kyodo)

Tomoya Nagase, a member of the Japanese all-male pop group Tokio, will leave the group next March, its talent agency said Wednesday, marking the departure of yet another member from the original group of five. (Kyodo)

Space probe Hayabusa2 will head on to an asteroid orbiting between Earth and Mars after completing its current mission later this year, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said Tuesday. (Kyodo)

Japan's health ministry has approved the use of the steroid drug dexamethasone for the treatment of novel coronavirus patients, following the approval of remdesivir in May, it came to light on Tuesday. (Kyodo)

Japan on Tuesday raised its travel advisory for Palestine and 16 countries, including Nepal, Kenya and Venezuela, warning against going to them amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo)

About one in four people who cycle to work in Tokyo began commuting by bicycle in order to avoid crowds during the novel coronavirus pandemic, a recent online survey found. (Kyodo)

Japan's prefectural governors on Sunday decided to ask the central government to consider excluding more areas from a travel campaign as necessary to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Kyodo)

Only 23.9 percent of people in Japan are in favor of holding the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next summer as scheduled and over half are dissatisfied with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's response to the novel coronavirus, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday. (Japan Times)

Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on Monday began accepting visitors from all over Japan, even though coronavirus infections in the prefecture have spiked in recent days. (Japan Today)

The canopied "Takamikura" imperial throne in which Japan's emperor proclaimed his enthronement last October was put on public display at Kyoto Imperial Palace on Saturday. (Kyodo)

Under severe criticism for keeping out foreign students and faculty under its coronavirus protection entry ban, Japan is hinting at plans to start relaxing the rules from August. (universityworldnews.com)