Japan
Virus could force Olympics cancellation, says top Japanese politician
Toshiro Nikai, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's number two, said the Olympics must be cancelled "without hesitation" if the virus situation is too severe.
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Olympics 'difficult' after virus spikes, Japan medical group warns
Haruo Ozaki sounded the alarm as rising daily cases prompt new virus restrictions in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan.
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Japan to release treated Fukushima water into the sea
Japan's government argues the release is safe because the water is processed to remove almost all radioactive elements and will be diluted.
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Eye on China, Biden holds first summit with Japan, India, Australia
In a flurry of diplomacy, Japan announced that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will become the first foreign leader to see Biden in person, a sign of the primacy the new US leader attaches to allies.
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Lady Gaga 'praying' for Japan on 2011 disaster anniversary
The US singer has a huge following in Japan and visited the country three months after the 2011 disaster, declaring 'Japan is safe' and calling on tourists from around the world to do the same.
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Tokyo asks China to end COVID-19 anal swabs for Japanese
China, which has largely brought the virus under control domestically, said last month that anal swabs can be more effective than normal throat and nose tests as the virus can linger longer in the digestive system.
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Japan's Osaka beats Brady to win Australian Open
Osaka edged a tight first set and broke the American twice in the second to win 6-4, 6-3 in 77 minutes in front of thousands of fans at Rod Laver Arena.
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Japan outlines cautious vaccine schedule ahead of first shots
About 40,000 targeted healthcare workers will receive their first jabs starting Wednesday, around double the previously reported number as more people than expected agree to get vaccinated.
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Pandemic reveals hidden poverty in wealthy Japan
The world's third-largest economy has seen a relatively small coronavirus outbreak so far, with around 4,500 deaths and largely without the drastic lockdowns seen in other countries.
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'Anything can happen' with Tokyo Olympics: Japan minister
Public support for the Olympics has plummeted in Japan, with a recent poll finding that more than 80% of respondents think the Games should be cancelled or postponed again.
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Japan expands virus emergency, tightens border restrictions
The expansion means that from Thursday, 11 of the country's 47 prefectures will be under the state of emergency - accounting for about 60% of its GDP.
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Japan 'Twitter killer' sentenced to death for nine murders
Takahiro Shiraishi, 30, admitted killing and butchering his young victims, all but one of whom were women.
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Most in Japan oppose holding Olympics in 2021: polls
The new data shows public sentiment has shifted little since the summer, when surveys in Japan also found only a minority backing plans to hold the Games next year, despite the imminent arrival of new vaccines.
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Trump and new Japan PM Suga discuss 'free and open Indo-Pacific' - US
The two leaders discussed the importance of pursuing a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, the White House said in a statement.
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Japan's Parliament elects Yoshihide Suga as new prime minister
Suga, who on Monday was elected leader of the LDP, is viewed as a continuity candidate and has said his run was inspired by a desire to pursue Shinzo Abe's policies.
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Japan ruling party elects Yoshihide Suga as Abe's successor
A powerful government adviser and spokesman, 71-year-old Suga is seen as promising stability and a continuation of Shinzo Abe's policies.
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Typhoon Haishen threatens Korea after battering Japan
In Japan, around 440,000 homes in the southwestern Kyushu region remained without power on Monday morning after the storm passed through, public broadcaster NHK reported.
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Man found unresponsive after ship sank in typhoon off Japan
The man was discovered as the coast guard continues to search for survivors from the Gulf Livestock 1, a cargo ship carrying nearly 6,000 cows, that sank off Japan's west coast as Typhoon Maysak passed through the area.
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Too soon to talk about post-Abe era, says Japan govt spokesperson
Abe has been to hospital twice in the last two weeks, including one visit of 7-1/2 hours. He has not detailed what the visits were for, instead saying he wanted to take care of his health and do his utmost at his job.
