Japan's political parties are set to begin their campaigning for the Upper House election scheduled for July 10.

The 150-day ordinary session of the Diet ended on Wednesday.

A lawmaker is under pressure to step down following a media report that he allegedly dined out with an 18-year-old woman, urged her to drink alcoholic beverages and gave her money. The drinking age in Japan is 20.

Lower House member Yoshikawa Takeru resigned from the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party last week, saying he had caused trouble.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is set to begin issuing partnership certificates to same-sex couples in November.

The Tokyo assembly approved the related ordinance on Wednesday that is aimed at promoting a more inclusive society where certificate holders can receive better services.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has renewed his pledge to support Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion. He wants to continue it in coordination with other members of the international community.

Kishida laid out his government's policies on Wednesday, as a 150-day ordinary session of the Diet came to a close.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan last month was more than 140,000, surpassing 100,000 for a second straight month.

The Japan National Tourism Organization estimates that 147,000 foreigners visited Japan in May.

A Japanese government panel of experts studying the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic has compiled a report pointing out challenges that emerged, such as the strain on the healthcare system.

The report says the country's healthcare system was often overburdened because the role of each regional medical institution was unclear.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 2,015 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Wednesday.

The figure is up 80 from a week ago, marking the first week-on-week increase since May 13.

Japan's Cabinet has decided to schedule an Upper House election for July 10.

Half of the seats come up for grabs every three years in the upper chamber, where members have six-year terms.

Work to add the names of recently identified victims of the 1945 Battle of Okinawa to a monument is underway in the southern Japanese prefecture.

The Cornerstone of Peace in a memorial park in Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture, is inscribed with the names of more than 240,000 victims. The names of people newly recognized as victims are added every year in the lead-up to Okinawa's Memorial Day on June 23.

A Japanese government survey has found that only a minority of businesses in the country are taking steps to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

The Cabinet Office conducted a survey in March on corporate efforts toward de-carbonization including cutting emissions. About 1,700 companies responded.

The results of a new survey have revealed the extent to which rising prices are hurting low income households in Japan. Over half of those polled say they have been forced to cut back on the number of meals for their children.

Tokyo-based non-profit organization Kidsdoor polled close to 1,400 low-income households with children up to high-school age. The survey lasted five days through Tuesday.

A Japanese government panel reviewing the state's responses to the coronavirus pandemic has drawn up a draft report that calls for setting up a government control center to tackle infection crises more effectively.

In the draft, the panel of experts listed challenges facing the government's responses to the pandemic.

Major Japanese travel agency H.I.S. has logged its biggest net loss for a first half of its business year. Company officials say the coronavirus pandemic kept many consumers at home during the period.

The group net loss for the six months from November came to 26.9 billion yen, or 200 million dollars.

Japanese oil wholesaler Idemitsu Kosan says it will terminate operations at one of its refineries in 2024. The firm will consider using the site as a receiving base for carbon-free materials such as hydrogen and ammonia.

Executive Vice President Nibuya Susumu made the announcement on Tuesday.