
New Shinkansen Bullet Train Model Debuts
A new model of the Shinkansen bullet train goes into service between Tokyo and Hakata. The N700S is the first fully remodeled Tokaido Shinkansen train series in 13 years.

70% of New Covid Cases Among 20s & 30s Adults
Tokyo confirmed 107 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, and over 100 cases per day over the the weekend. The capital has designated a four-color warning system to notify the public of the severity of the situation.

Japan Rolls Out Paid Plastic Bags Policy
Japan mandates businesses to charge customers for plastic shopping bags as part of efforts to tackle plastic waste. Stores are responding in various ways.

Tokyo Coronavirus Cases on the Rise
Tokyo reports 124 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, July 3, while the health minister says Japan’s medical care system is not in a crunch.
Japan's Job Availability Continues to Drop
May marks the fifth consecutive month of declining job availability in Japan due to effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Reopen
The facilities of Tokyo's Magic Kingdom have reopened after a four-month hiatus to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Japan's First Sign Language Starbucks Opens
As a show of its dedication to inclusion, Starbucks has brought it's fifth global sign language cafe to Tokyo, the first in the nation.
Hospital Supports Pregnant Women in Need
A hospital that operates Japan’s only baby hatch, where mothers can place their unwanted babies anonymously, has started taking in pregnant women of lesser means to help them give birth, in what is believe to be the first such attempt in the country.
The Queen of the Night Blooms Only Once a Year
Visitors gather in Aichi Prefecture, in central Japan, to get a glimpse of a special flower, the "Queen of the Night," a cactus flower that only blooms once a year in the evening, and withers by morning.
Toyota Invests in Joint Space Venture
Toyota Motor and three major Japanese banks invest in a new fund for space development aimed at nurturing domestic startups in the field.
Japanese Supercomputer Is World's Fastest
Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer, developed jointly by Riken and Fujitsu, has been ranked the fastest in the world.
Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo Reopens
People flock to Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, which has reopened after closing for about four months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Some Visitors Back at Tourist Destinations
As the government eases domestic travel restrictions, some visitors are back at Japan’s tourist destinations.
Japan Eases Domestic Travel Restrictions
People flock to airports and train stations as the Japanese government eases domestic travel restrictions that were in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Mandarin Oranges Fetch Record High Price
Mandarin oranges in western Japan fetch a record high 100,000 yen apiece in the fruit’s first auction of the season.
COVID-19 Tracking App Launched in Japan
Japan launches a smartphone app that notifies users when they may have come into contact with someone infected with the COVID-19.
Foreign Visitors to Japan in May Down 99.9%
This comes as no surprise, but the number of foreign visitors to Japan in May drops 99.9 percent from last year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, posting a monthly record low of 1,700.
Traditional Artisans Adapting to the Pandemic
Traditional artisans in Japan are looking for innovative ways to adapt to the new normal to ride out the pandemic.
Buying Direct from Farmers Popular in Pandemic
Purchasing fresh produce directly from farmers is gaining popularity in Tokyo as the method can help avoid close human contact amid the coronavirus pandemic.
PCR Testing Center Opens in Tokyo Suburbs
A PCR center with drive-through and walk-up testing capabilities starts operating in a western suburb of Tokyo to prepare for a possible second wave of coronavirus infections.