Japanese idol group AKB48's popularity is so phenomenal that it even has politicians lobbying for concerts in their country. The mega group isn't so hot in South Korea though, where their own idol group brands have gained international acclaim. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Friday announced the arrest of a barman in the Roppongi entertainment area of Minato Ward for allegedly stealing a waste collection truck earlier this year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have busted a hostess club in Minato Ward for operating without a proper licence, reports TV Asahi (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Disney Resort operator Oriental Land plans a major expansion for the theme park, looking to spend over 300 billion yen ($2.68 billion) to build new attractions and ease congestion amid fierce competition in the industry. (Nikkei)

A new Tokyo Bay amphibious bus tour was launched Monday to service the expected influx of foreign tourists drawn to the city ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. (Kyodo)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested nine persons, including organized crime members, over an extortion racket allegedly carried out in the Akasaka entertainment area of Minato Ward, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan’s national broadcaster NHK has unveiled this year’s lineup for its annual New Year’s Eve music show "Kohaku Uta Gassen" (Red and White Song Battle), featuring 10 new groups and singers. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested four male Nigerian nationals as a part of a crackdown on unruly street touts who target women in the Roppongi entertainment area of Minato Ward, reports TV Asahi (tokyoreporter.com)

Japanese actress Ryoko Yonekura, 42, has had a big week. On Monday, she was a guest at the dinner for U.S. Presidfent Donald Trump and his wife Melania. Then on Wednesday, she was a winner of the annual “Best Smile of the Year 2017” award, along with actor Masao Kusakari, 65. (Japan Today)

Tokyo police are on increased alert as young people and foreign nationals in Halloween costumes descend on the city's busy Shibuya district. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested six street touts over the alleged aggressive solicitation of pedestrians in the Ueno area of Taito Ward, reports the Sankei Shimbun. (tokyoreporter.com)

Back in 2016, it was confirmed that Japan had a real love, a national obsession perhaps, with the world of mobile gaming. (newsonjapan.com)

An English seminar for geisha has been held in Tokyo to help them communicate with foreign tourists and explain traditional Japanese entertainment culture. (NHK)

Japan celebrated two years to the start of Rugby World Cup 2019 on Wednesday with the Webb Ellis Cup on display in Tokyo's Shibuya district ahead of a 46-day tour that will see it visit all 12 host cities from Sapporo in the north to Kumamoto in the south. (Japan Today)

Fears about foreign crime caused Tokyo Metropolitan Police to conduct searches through sex parlors in the Roppongi entertainment last week, an initiative that is part of law enforcement’s preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games, reports TV Asahi (tokyoreporter.com)

Osaka Prefectural Police have launched an investigation into Keisuke Koide over an alleged “inappropriate relationship” with a girl under the age of 18, the details of which appeared in a weekly magazine last month, reports Nippon News Network (July 13). (tokyoreporter.com)

American songstress Katy Perry is known around the world for her hit songs, extravagant costumes, and her bad blood with fellow singer Taylor Swift. Here in Japan, though, the 32-year-old performer is becoming known for her love of local reed diffusers and fabric softeners, thanks to a new commercial being broadcast to television screens around the nation from 8 September. (Japan Today)

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, a record 24.04 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2016. Of that figure, nearly 40 percent (or about 9.4 million) went to Osaka. (tokyoreporter.com)

Babymetal rocked the crowd at the Summer Sonic music festival Sunday (Aug. 20) in Chiba, Japan, with an exhilarating concert experience that blends J-pop idol entertainment with excellently orchestrated metal. (billboard.com)

Maiko (apprentice geiko), dressed in formal black kimono, walk in Kyoto's entertainment district to pay courtesy calls on teahouses and their teachers of traditional arts on Tuesday. (the-japan-news.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested the president of a talent agency suspected in at least two rapes of women, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Tuesday raided the headquarters of the Yamaguchi-gumi organized crime group as a part of an investigation into the extortion of entertainment establishments in the capital, reports TV Asahi. (tokyoreporter.com)

Popular actor Ken Watanabe, 57, has publicly admitted that he had been in an extramarital affair as rumored since earlier this year. (Japan Today)

Osaka Prefectural Police have launched an investigation into Keisuke Koide over an alleged "inappropriate relationship" with a girl under the age of 18, the details of which appeared in a weekly magazine last month, reports Nippon News Network (tokyoreporter.com)

They’re still coming in droves — but no longer buying in spades. (Japan Times)