A millennium-old temple in Kyoto is offering travelers an exclusive overnight experience for a cool 1 million yen ($9,100), hoping to shore up its dwindling income by capitalizing on the city's booming tourism trade. (Nikkei)

Japanese comedian and fashion designer Naomi Watanabe has been chosen by US weekly Time magazine as one of its 25 most influential people on the internet in 2018. (NHK)

Japan head coach Akira Nishino revealed Saturday that he apologized to his players for making them hold onto the ball and avoid attacking late in their final World Cup group game against Poland, in a tactical move which saw them loudly jeered by spectators. (Kyodo)

An affiliate of Japanese electronics giant Hitachi Ltd. admitted Friday it had falsified data for 60,000 industrial batteries, the latest in a series of similar scandals that has battered the country’s reputation for quality. (Japan Times)

The launch of what would have been Japan’s first privately developed rocket to reach outer space failed Saturday after it burst into flames seconds after liftoff, the Hokkaido-based developer said. (Japan Times)

Japan's unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in more than 25 years in May in the latest sign of a strengthening economy, government data showed Friday, but rising job availability underscored the shortage of workers amid a shrinking population. (Japan Today)

A 41-year-old man has been arrested after carrying out an unusual technique to steal fresh fish from a store in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. (Japan Today)

Sharp Corp scrapped a plan to issue up to $2 billion in new shares, changing its mind in a matter of weeks after the initial announcement prompted investors to dump its shares on fears of earnings per share dilution. (Japan Today)

Weather authorities suspect a tornado hit the western Japanese city of Maibara in Shiga Prefecture on Friday, causing injuries and damage. (NHK)

Trading volume on the Tokyo Stock Exchange has slumped to the lowest level in 14 years, while Shanghai shares have fallen six weeks in a row, underscoring investor concern over U.S.-China tariff tensions. (Nikkei)

Jubilant soccer fans have overrun a famous intersection near Tokyo's Shibuya Station in reaction to Japan's advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup finals in Russia. (NHK)

In the soccer World Cup finals in Russia, Japan advanced to the knockout phase despite a 1-0 loss to Poland in their final group-stage match on Thursday. (NHK)

The government will relax the rule for duty-free shopping from Sunday in its latest effort to spur spending by foreign visitors, after “explosive buying” by Chinese tourists appears to have cooled down. (Japan Times)

Legoland Japan unveiled Thursday a water play area -- an attraction added to the amusement park for the first time since opening in April 2017 -- as the park operator hopes to boost the number of visitors during the summer break. (Kyodok)

A Japanese mayor who suffered a stroke at a sumo wrestling event and was given first aid by a female nurse who entered the male-only ring has said the ancient ban on women is irrelevant. (Japan Today)

TV “talent” Becky, 34, is currently dating Yasuyuki Kataoka, a coach for the minor league Yomiuri Giants baseball team. Sources say that the two met through a mutual friend in the television broadcasting industry and became a couple last month, Sankei Shimbun reported. (Japan Today)

Japan's Lawson will do away with the delivery of fresh food to online shoppers at the end of August, as rising costs and slow demand have rendered the service unsustainable. (Nikkei)

The Japanese government has found itself in a tight spot following the US request that the international community completely halt imports of crude oil from Iran. (NHK)

Japanese hotel chain Prince Hotels Inc said Tuesday it found about 125,000 items of customer information such as names and credit card numbers have been stolen and leaked. (Japan Today)

Police arrested on Monday a 42-year-old man for allegedly stabbing to death a lecturer at an information technology seminar in Fukuoka the night before over what he claims to be trouble online. (Japan Today)

A man has killed a police officer and a security guard in an attack in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan. Police have shot and detained a 21-year-old suspect. (NHK)

A leading Liberal Democratic Party official on Tuesday criticized people opting not to have children as being "selfish," in the latest remark from a politician of the ruling party urging people to have babies. (Japan Today)

Japan's Imperial Household Agency will announce plans for the engagement of Princess Ayako. (NHK)

The operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka unveiled to the press Tuesday its two new attractions featuring characters from the picture book series "Curious George" and the animated film series "Minions" ahead of their weekend debut. (Kyodo)

Police have arrested a 42-year-old man for fatally stabbing a well-known blogger in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. (NHK)