Japan’s Administrative Reform Minister Taro Kono is the favorite to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as the next president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, according to an opinion poll conducted by Nikkei and TV Tokyo on Sept. 9-11. (Nikkei)

Weather officials in Japan say Typhoon Chanthu is moving north-northeast over waters south of Okinawa. It is likely to make a close approach to Okinawa's Yaeyama region on Sunday. (NHK)

Everybody dies. I haven’t given it a go just yet but I know a little bit about the traditions around death and funerals here in Japan. (Ryotaro's Japan)

Grown in just one country in the world, one bunch of these Japanese grapes can sell for $90 to $450. (Business Insider)

Japan has some very strange and downright terrifying horror stories! (Swamp Dweller)

Cases of COVID-19 among children have been increasing in Tokyo, experts have warned, even as total cases continue to decline. (Japan Times)

The European Union says it is removing Japan from its list of countries and regions exempt from restrictions on nonessential travel into the bloc. (NHK)

Documentary in Asakusa. Gon-chan is really cute cat(〃ω〃) (Dark side of Japan Yuki)

This robot tries to solve my problems. (akidearest)

Japan Airlines Co. said Friday it will raise around Y300 billion ($2.7 billion) via a combination of subordinated loans and bonds to bolster its financial standing as the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic drags on. (Japan Times)

Japan's vaccination minister Taro Kono walked the line between his signature reform-minded policies and the conservatism of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday as he formally announced his bid to succeed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. (Kyodo)

The number of new coronavirus cases reported in Japan on Friday continued to decline. It comes as the government is extending the state of emergency in many parts of the country, including Tokyo and Osaka. (NHK)

For men and women in Japan, eating peanuts is associated with reduced risk of ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Stroke. (healthday.com)

A team including Japanese researchers has been awarded an Ig Nobel Prize for studying how pedestrians distracted by smartphones can disrupt the orderly movement of crowds. (NHK)

The immediate royal family has over 1,000 staff working for them directly. (How Money Works)

In this 2-Day trip, we explore the Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaido. (japan-guide.com)

Japan enjoyed a surprise surge in second quarter GDP, however, the rise is unlikely to halt the country’s persistent deflationary woes. (Bloomberg Quicktake: Now)

Objective, science-based monitoring is the key to safely carrying out the planned release of treated but still radioactive water at Japan's wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, an International Atomic Energy Agency official said Thursday. (wsoctv.com)

Japan's government is extending the coronavirus state of emergency in many parts of the country. It will remain in place for 19 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, until the end of September. (NHK)

FIFA is searching for a new venue for this year's Club World Cup after Japan confirmed it had withdrawn as hosts of the tournament due to COVID-19. (insidethegames.biz)

More than a decade after “The Cove” revealed the cruelty behind the practice, Taiji fishermen continue to round up dolphins to supply aquariums and marine parks. (nationalgeographic.com)

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed his 68-year-old mother in Kobe last week. Police said the man then tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself in the neck. (Japan Today)

Japanese government data show that around 76 million people, or 60 percent of the country's population, have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine as of Tuesday. (NHK)

Japan's economy expanded at an annual rate of 1.9% in the April-June quarter, faster than initially estimated, as a brisk global recovery spurred factory output and prompted firms to invest more in equipment and other capital. (Reuters)

Japan looks to shorten quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers entering the country from two weeks to 10 days as early as this month, opening the door to easier business travel. (Nikkei)