From chemicals to beer and travel, the chill in Japan and South Korea's relations is casting a wider shadow on their economic ties, the latest statistics show. (Nikkei)

The number of foreign visitors to Japan marked the largest percentage drop in more than seven years in October with a 5.5 percent on-year fall, as a devastating typhoon and a continued plunge in South Korean tourists more than offset the effect of the Rugby World Cup, government data showed Wednesday. (Japan Times)

The government and ruling coalition are planning to allow tax-free shopping for specific vending machines in a bid to spur spending by foreign tourists, sources said Wednesday. (Japan Times)

Two new Pokemon video games sold around 1.37 million copies in Japan within the first three days of their release, a record for any title developed for Nintendo Co's Switch console, an estimate by a weekly game magazine showed Wednesday. (Japan Today)

Police in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, said Monday they have arrested a 56-year-old professor at Keio University on suspicion of stealing women’s underwear. (Japan Today)

Shinzo Abe has become Japan's longest-serving prime minister after breaking a record set more than a century ago. (NHK)

Japanese retailers are gearing up for Black Friday sales this week, including an initial foray by Amazon Japan, hoping the event will give consumer spending a much-needed shot in the arm after last month's consumption tax increase. (Nikkei)

All construction works for the main stadium of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have finished. (NHK)

In Japan, there’s a common understanding that public places are spaces are to be respected, which is the reason why people talk quietly on public transport, hold back on eating while walking, and stand patiently in orderly queues. (Japan Today)

The Lower House signed off Tuesday on a trade deal with the United States that cuts tariffs on farm and industrial products, taking a step toward its entry into force next year. (Japan Times)

Japan and South Korea have failed to hammer out their differences over Japan's export controls in the second round of bilateral talks at the World Trade Organization. (NHK)

East Japan Railway says it will tear down Harajuku Station, the oldest wooden station building in Tokyo, after the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in the metropolis. (NHK)

Police have questioned, on a voluntary basis, four teachers involved in the alleged bullying of a male colleague in Kobe, western Japan, according to sources close to the matter. (NHK)

A private Japanese think tank has ranked Tokyo third in its annual assessment of major cities around the world. (NHK)

The number of homeless people in central Tokyo has dropped 7% from a year ago, the metropolitan government says, with the robust job market receiving much of the credit. (Nikkei)

A 71-year-old woman in central Japan suspected of murdering her husband has told investigators she strangled her in-laws as well, local police said Monday, pointing to the stress of being the sole caregiver in the family as a possible motive. (Japan Times)

For most city residents, trains and subways are an integral part of daily life, and few countries have embraced rail travel like Japan. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that one of the best train museums in the world is found here: the Kyoto Railway Museum — and it’s a great place to visit with kids. (Japan Times)

The industry ministry said Monday it would be safe to release water contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear disaster into the ocean, stressing that on an annual basis the amount of radiation measured near the release point would be very small compared to levels to which humans are naturally exposed. (Japan Times)

Police arrested a man wanted over the slaying of a 20-year-old woman in the city of Niigata. (Japan Times)

Ayako Moriya, the third daughter of the late Prince Takamado and now a commoner, has given birth to a boy, her first child, the Imperial Household Agency said Sunday. (Japan Times)

Sources close to the investigation of Japanese actress Erika Sawajiri say she has admitted to using illegal drugs for some time. (NHK)

Yahoo Japan's parent company, Z Holdings, and major messaging app provider LINE have reached an agreement to merge. (NHK)

Japanese actress Erika Sawajiri was arrested Saturday on suspicion of possessing the synthetic drug MDMA at her home in Tokyo, police said. (Japan Today)

Japan is one of the few countries where a weaker currency is good for the stock market, but a closer look reveals the long-term consequences of this reliance at a time when companies need to invest abroad for growth. (Nikkei)

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)