Over the years, numerous reasons have been provided for Japan's prolonged deflation problem. These have ranged from automation to mindset problems. Amazon.com, Inc. is the latest culprit to be assigned the blame. (investopedia.com)

Japan's financial regulator has told the country's smaller banks they must find new ways to make profits if they are to survive, warning many face risks when interest rates eventually rise and that some are already in a precarious state. (Reuters)

Japan's severe labor shortage is at levels last seen about a quarter-century ago, states a government white paper presented to the Cabinet on Friday which also highlights the country's need to resolve the issue in order to achieve sustainable economic growth. (Japan Times)

Dozens of venomous fire ants have been found at Hakata port, the Environment Ministry said, marking the first detection of the invasive species in Kyushu. (Japan Times)

Kanagawa Prefectural Police have re-arrested a 39-year-old for allegedly dumping the bodies of two Chinese sisters, found in suitcases in a mountainous area in Hadano City earlier this month, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Seven female members of the Miyagi prefectural assembly on Friday asked the governor of the northeastern Japan prefecture to remove a tourism promotion video it is using on the internet, claiming it portrays women as sex objects. (Kyodo)

An informed source in the sumo world says Mongolian Yokozuna Grand Champion Hakuho is considering the option of acquiring Japanese citizenship. The move would allow him to become a stablemaster after retirement and train younger wrestlers. (NHK)

Princess Kako, a granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will study at the University of Leeds in England from September to June next year, it was reported at a cabinet meeting on Friday. (Japan Today)

A Japanese horse has never won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the race which is regarded as the most prestigious turf contest anywhere in the world. However, Satono Diamond could be the first to land that prize later this year as the multiple-time Group One winner has been tipped by many as their fancy in October. (newsonjapan.com)

US President Donald Trump says the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe doesn't speak English. (NHK)

Policymakers at the Bank of Japan have decided to continue with their easing program in a bid to achieve a 2-percent inflation target. But the officials have revised the forecast date for meeting the target. They say an extra year is needed. (NHK)

Major Japanese electronics maker NEC is introducing an innovative verification system that is based on an ordinary glitter pen. (NHK)

The Yokohama District Court on Wednesday sentenced a former elementary school teacher to three years in prison on sexual abuse and child pornography charges. (Japan Today)

A group set up by psychiatric patients, their families and lawyers has called for strict rules on the use of physical restraints at hospitals in Japan. (NHK)

The number of tourists coming to Japan hit a record high in the first half of 2017. The Japan National Tourism Organization says more than 13.75 million people visited Japan in the 6 months. (NHK)

The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant says the metal scaffolding right below the damaged No.3 reactor appears to have gone missing after the 2011 disaster. (NHK)

Officials at the Japan Fair Trade Commission are investigating major department stores in Osaka. They suspect the firms colluded on increasing delivery fees. (NHK)

Students at a junior high school in Tochigi Prefecture’s Takenazawa town have felt ill after eating cheese at the school cafeteria, local board of education representatives said. (Japan Today)

A 49-year-old woman had been arrested after camera footage showed that she had been adding dishwashing detergent to her husband and son's tea, local police said. (Japan Today)

Japanese electronics maker Fujitsu has developed a wristwatch sensor that warns the wearer of the risk of heatstroke. (NHK)

Thirteen Japanese bitcoin exchange operators said Tuesday they will suspend deposits and withdrawals of the virtual currency from midnight July 31 (3 p.m. GMT) in order to prevent possible turmoil stemming from an expected separation of the trading system. (Japan Times)

Even unrealistically robust economic and productivity growth would not be enough to bring Japan's primary balance into the black by fiscal 2020, government estimates released Tuesday show. (Nikkei)

The education authority of a city in eastern Japan has apologised to a fourth grade boy and his family for verbal and physical abuse by his form teacher. (straitstimes.com)

The number of female researchers at private companies and other institutions in Japan reached the highest level ever last year, government data showed, although it remained low by international standards. (Japan Times)

Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada has denied media reports that she agreed to hide the fact that the records relating to the Ground Self-Defense Force's peacekeeping activities in South Sudan were at the GSDF command. The ministry once said they had been destroyed. (NHK)