The first of the two kanji characters used in Japan's new imperial era name, "Reiwa," has been chosen as Kanji of the Year. (NHK)

A former Japanese defense chief has been shot in the leg near his home in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Sankei newspaper reported on Tuesday citing police sources. (Japan Today)

Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, turned 18 on Sunday, enjoying her last year in high school as she prepares to move on for further studies at university starting next spring. (Kyodo)

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for killing an information technology expert and well known blogger after a seminar in Fukuoka last year. (Japan Today)

November is usually peak travel season in Hakone, one of the most popular resorts within easy reach of Tokyo. Visitors flock to the area in autumn to watch the leaves turn and enjoy a dip in the hot springs. (Nikkei)

Mt Sakurajima volcano shot smoke and ash miles into the sky on Friday in its biggest eruption in more than three years, Kyodo News reported. (Japan Today)

A couple in southwestern Japan were arrested Wednesday for allegedly harming their 1-year-old son last November by firing an air gun at him dozens of times, police said. (Kyodo)

Arashi, a popular Japanese boy band that will suspend their activities next year, said Sunday they will hold two concerts at the new National Stadium in May, adding to events that will set the mood for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. (Kyodo)

Flooding at levels of less than 1 meter made up more than 90 percent of the approximately 68,000 homes damaged by the destructive Typhoon Hagibis, the government said Wednesday, making the homeowners unlikely to receive financial support under current law. (Kyodo)

Foreign dignitaries enjoyed a rare joint show of Japanese traditional arts on Wednesday at a banquet following the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito the previous day. (Kyodo)

Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested a staff member at a kindergarten in Munakata City over the alleged abuse of a male pupil earlier this year, reports Kyodo News (Oct. 21). (tokyoreporter.com)

Mt. Fuji got its first full snowcap of the season on Oct. 23, 2019, eight days later than last year, according to the city of Fujiyoshida in eastern Japan. (Kyodo)

Three people were arrested Tuesday as citizens opposed to Japan's imperial system rallied in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district and other areas, protesting the emperor's enthronement ceremony held at the Imperial Palace the same day, police said. (Kyodo)

Princess Mako, a niece of Japanese Emperor Naruhito and the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito, turned 28 on Wednesday. (Kyodo)

South Africa beat Japan 26 to 3 in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday. (NHK)

Former Empress Michiko marked her 85th birthday on Sunday, her first since the abdication of her husband former Emperor Akihito earlier this year. (Kyodo)

The first solar-powered cars to complete a 3,000-kilometer endurance race across Australia reached the finish line in Adelaide on Thursday, with Japan's Tokai University Solar Car Team coming in second place. (Kyodo)

Venomous fire ants could spread in Japan, as the recent discovery of about 50 queen ants at a Tokyo port suggests the invasive alien insect from South America has likely taken root, according to an analysis by a national research institute. (Kyodo)

Japan captain Michael Leitch said Sunday's historic win over Scotland at the Rugby World Cup was the Brave Blossoms' way of helping the nation in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis and thanking those that helped put the game on. (Kyodo)

About 3.85 million people studied Japanese at a record 18,604 institutions overseas in fiscal 2018, with the number of institutions soaring in Asia, according to a survey released this week. (Kyodo)

The world's first cloned cow has died of old age at a research center in central Japan at the age of 21 years and three months, local officials said Thursday. (Kyodo)

A Japanese court ruled on Thursday against a government deportation order issued to a U.S. activist opposing dolphin hunts when he tried to enter Japan three years ago. (Kyodo)

Shinobu Sato, a Japanese soprano singer known for her performances in European and American opera houses, has died, her office said Thursday. She was 61. (Kyodo)

Japan is ready to share, as requested by South Korea, information related to the launch a day earlier of what North Korea claims to have been a submarine-launched ballistic missile, government sources said Thursday. (Kyodo)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday Japan's national interests are protected under a trade agreement with the United States but he vowed to prepare measures to address the concerns of farmers in the country before the pact takes effect. (Kyodo)