Japan, the biggest taker of cheap dollar funding from the U.S. Federal Reserve during the coronavirus pandemic, is weaning itself off that supply as it shies away from emergency swaps and returns to now sedate interbank markets. (Japan Today)

Japan will likely ease travel restrictions on Thailand and Vietnam before Australia and New Zealand, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Friday. (Japan Today)

Japanese baseball managed to do what American baseball has not — play ball. (Japan Today)

The government launched Friday a free smartphone application that alerts users when they may have been in close proximity to someone infected with the coronavirus. (Japan Times)

The roller coasters are back running in Tokyo but with requests to not scream. Restaurants are offering more take-out and outdoor seating. Major retailer Uniqlo’s new “cool and dry” mask, three for 990 yen, sold out Friday shortly after it was put on the shelves. (Japan Today)

Fuji Television Network Inc. and newspaper publisher Sankei Shimbun Co. revealed on Friday that their joint opinion polls over the past year included answers fabricated by a contractor. (Japan Times)

Top bosses of Japan’s most popular thrill ride park sit down and shut up. (soranews24.com)

Low-cost carrier Peach Aviation Ltd. resumed services on all 22 domestic routes Friday, as Japan lifted the last remaining travel restrictions after claiming to have checked the spread of coronavirus. (Japan Times)

Tokyo confirmed 35 more coronavirus infections Friday, a level lower than the 41 logged on the previous day but still a source of concern after the capital entirely removed its business closure requests earlier in the day. (Japan Times)

Japanese electrical and electronic equipment maker Toshiba announced on Friday that Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, its chairman of the board, intends to resign from the post, a move seen as an indication the company has returned to a firm footing after the veteran executive was brought in to oversee its recovery from a wrenching scandal. (Nikkei)

Makoto Uchida could not have been clearer. Electric cars, the CEO of Nissan Motor said last month, would be a dominant theme for his financially battered company -- with China leading the way. (Nikkei)

Japan has gone its own way on the coronavirus pandemic from its beginning, with a delayed response, limited testing and a gentler lockdown. (PBS NewsHour)

Hanging Hydroponic Melon is a unique Japanese method in which melons are grown and hung in greenhouses. (Noal Farm)

A Tokyo-based national health center revealed on Tuesday that marijuana use in Japan is at an all-time high. (tokyoreporter.com)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday the government was considering setting up a new coronavirus testing facility dedicated to overseas travelers, as he stressed the need to reopen borders to business and trade. (Nikkei)

South Korea has reopened a complaint with the World Trade Organization over Japan's tightened export controls on three high-tech materials. (NHK)

The appearance of a mysterious white object in the sky over northern Japan on set social media ablaze, with speculation ranging from UFOs to coronavirus and North Korean propaganda. (Reuters)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 41 new coronavirus infections Thursday, NHK reported, marking the third time this week for the capital to log over 40 cases in a day. (Japan Times)

Japan's most-traveled bullet train line, a travel artery connecting Tokyo and Osaka, will restore service to nearly year-earlier levels in July and August, its operator said Thursday. (Nikkei)

Japan, the country rich in culture, and traditions. Japan is definitely on the list of places to visit. (MostAmazingTop10)

Japanese casual clothing chain Uniqlo unveiled to the press on Thursday its new flagship store in Tokyo's upscale Ginza shopping district ahead of its grand opening the following day. (Kyodo)

An airport in central Japan has partially resumed international flights following a suspension of more than two months due to the coronavirus outbreak. (NHK)

When Shinzo Abe campaigned for the premiership in 2012, empowering women was a cornerstone of his plan to revitalize Japan. Seven years on, no failure better encapsulates how little success Abe has had remaking Asia's second-biggest economy. (Nikkei)

On a recent Friday night in the Kabukicho red-light district of Tokyo, blaring music and flashing disco lights signaled opening time for Cruise, one of a slew of host clubs that dot the vicinity. (Japan Times)

The Diet wrapped up a 150-day session Wednesday after the ruling coalition rejected calls from the opposition for an extension to the year's end to cope with the ongoing coronavirus crisis. (Japan Times)