The turnaround came in the wake of a fifth wave of infections that peaked in August. Japan is trying to figure out why its COVID case numbers and fatalities have plummeted.
A fire that spread from a fourth-floor mental clinic in an eight-story building in what police were investigating as a possible case of arson and murder. Police were searching for a possible suspect.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida dissolved the lower house of parliament. The move paves the way for elections Oct. 31, which will be Japan's first of the pandemic.
The Mongolian-born wrestler, who has won a record 45 grand sumo tournament titles, announced his decision to retire to the Japan Sumo Association on Monday.
The Japanese Army systematically raped women in the Philippines. What's become of the aging survivors of this wartime atrocity in the midst of the pandemic?
Taro Kono is seen as a political maverick with liberal views on social policy. He is popular with the public, but his own party's power brokers may hesitate to make him the leader next week.
The health ministry said contamination was reported from multiple vaccination sites. The news raises concern of a supply shortage as Japan tries to accelerate vaccinations amid a surge in cases.
The ceremony organizers used artistic elements to show the athletes a taste of ordinary life in Japan, something they haven't been exposed to due to pandemic restrictions.
Japan won its third skateboarding gold in the sport's Olympic debut. 19-year-old Sakura Yosozumi earned gold and 12-year-old teammate Kokona Hiraki won silver. Britain's Sky Brown, 13, won the bronze.
Daily infections are nearly quadruple the numbers reported just a week ago. Japan's prime minister, who has denied the Olympics are to blame, has extended a state of emergency to the end of August.
Daily coronavirus cases in Tokyo have set records for three days straight, but Japan's prime minister denies that the Olympic Games are causing the spike.
