Kyotango, on the Sea of Japan side of Kyoto Prefecture, has been producing luxurious Tango Chirimen silk for centuries. (NHK WORLD-JAPAN)

Last Friday, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s Matsuda Precinct received a call from Oi High School. A male intruder had been spotted in the building, roaming the halls at around 10:30 a.m. (soranews24.com)

Japan’s "kei" vehicles known for their affordability and small engines, face a potentially existential threat as the country leans on automakers to go electric as part of its net-zero emissions goal. ()

Three lawmakers of Japan's main ruling party have left the party, to take responsibility for having visited dining and drinking places despite the current state of emergency. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested an elementary school teacher for allegedly paying a middle school girl for sex last year, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

The Japanese government is planning to review copyright rules to prevent possible legal violations by costume role players, also known as cosplayers, as the number of people dressing up as animation and game characters in the country continues to grow. (South China Morning Post)

A video showing the final, brutal 20 minutes of a minke whale's life at the hands of Japanese fishermen sent a ripple of shock through international media. (BBC)

A new law took effect in Japan on Monday to prevent digital platform providers from using their advantageous positions to form unfair contracts with business partners. (NHK)

It is common to see non-Korean members in K-pop groups these days, but they were not really considered by the agencies that create such bands until recently. (Korea Times)

In this 2 part video project, we take a look at some of the best art-centric experiences you can find in Kyoto. (japan-guide.com)

Police in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, have arrested a 30-year-old man after he posted a message on a social network site, offering 100 million yen to anyone who kills the city’s 66-year-old mayor, Toshihiko Ota. ()

A jostling crowd swamped an electronics shop in Tokyo on Saturday morning hoping to buy the new Playstation 5 game console. (The Telegraph)

Health officials in Japan say they believe the first cluster of infections of a coronavirus variant which has been prevalent in Britain has hit near Tokyo. (NHK)

Beginning in April, 7,800 doctoral students in Japan will be eligible to receive an annual 2.4 million yen ($23,139) in living expenses, as they take part in a government program meant to maintain the country's global competitiveness in cutting-edge technologies. (Nikkei)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 633 new cases of the coronavirus in the Japanese capital on Sunday. (NHK)

Workers at some technology firms in Japan have been swapping the office for the slopes, thanks to a pilot scheme that lets them work remotely from holiday destinations. (South China Morning Post)

The use of masks for television personalities on camera is recently garnering debate among the public and entertainment industry in Japan after news anchors on a major broadcaster began wearing them during a program. (Kyodo)

With the coronavirus continuing to spread in Japan, junior high schools are rushing to tweak their entrance examinations to ensure test-takers’ safety. (Japan Times)

There is a growing view within the Japanese government that a state of emergency covering 11 prefectures may have to continue beyond the planned end date in some areas. (NHK)

Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture is facing a medical crisis due to a spike in coronavirus infections. (NHK)

Tokyo on Saturday confirmed 769 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest number on a Saturday since Dec. 19. (Japan Times)

The Louvre has agreed to enter into a four-year collaboration deal with Uniqlo, with the Japanese chain's T-shirts to feature the Mona Lisa and other masterpieces held by the Paris museum. (Nikkei)

With February’s termination of government employment subsidies, which also partially support furlough allowances, Okinawa Prefecture is expected to face a “March Crisis” — a situation in which tourism industry workers face substantial layoffs. (Japan Times)

The life of a geisha in Japan is often perceived as being shrouded in mystery, the exact opposite of what you’d imagine life is like for a YouTuber. (Japan Times)

Guntu is a cross between a traditional ryokan and luxury yacht, offering guests the chance to unwind amid the ever-changing landscape of the Seto Inland Sea, as this video (filmed before the pandemic) shows. With only 19 cabins and suites, and a maximum capacity of 38 guests, it's a luxurious getaway that's sweet respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. (CNA)