Political factions in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are discussing potential candidates to succeed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The LDP is expected to decide when and how to choose its next leader in a General Council meeting on Tuesday. Discussions on the potential candidates are starting in earnest before the decision comes.

The Tokyo Metropolitan government confirmed 148 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Sunday.

It is the first time since August 25 that the daily tally in the capital has fallen below 200. But the figure remains upper 100 for the sixth day in a row.

Japanese airline companies are working to reduce physical contact during check-in at airports to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

At Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Japan Airlines is testing new machines that can be used without touching the screen.

In Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, the harvest of "nashi" pears unique to the region is underway.

About 40 families grow pears in the town of Kamikawa, where the fruit has been cultivated since the late 19th century.

A heat wave continues to grip western and eastern Japan, with the daytime temperature topping 39 degrees Celsius in Hyogo Prefecture in the west on Sunday.

Temperatures rose to 39.2 degrees in Hyogo's Nishiwaki City, and over 38 degrees in the town of Hatoyama in Saitama, as well as Takahashi City in Okayama, and Ogaki City in Gifu.

Leaders of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito have praised Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's achievements, while opposition party leaders said Abe failed to follow through on many issues.

Leaders of the LDP and its junior coalition partner, and opposition parties looked back on Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's tenure on an NHK TV program on Sunday, two days after Abe announced his intention to resign, citing worsening health.

Sources say a Japanese reality show star who apparently committed suicide had been criticized on social media.

Hamasaki Maria was found dead in her apartment in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Several politicians have signaled their intention to seek the premiership since Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced he would resign for health reasons, while some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's hope to see Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide succeed Abe.

LDP's Policy Research Council Chairperson Kishida Fumio, former LDP Secretary-General Ishiba Shigeru and former internal affairs minister Noda Seiko have shown strong interest in becoming the next leader.

One day after Japan's Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's surprise announcement of his resignation for health reasons, the battle to succeed him has already begun, with several candidates signaling their intentions to contest the premiership.

LDP Policy Research Council Chairperson Kishida Fumio says, "My commitment to continue working to become the next leader remains unchanged."

Japan's Defense Minister Kono Taro and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper have agreed to oppose China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion.

In a meeting in Guam on Saturday, Esper referred to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's announcement of his resignation and called him a great leader who worked to strengthen bilateral ties in security and other areas.

A 23-year-old woman who appeared in a popular Japanese reality show has been found dead in Tokyo.

Sources familiar with the situation say Hamasaki Maria apparently committed suicide. Police are investigating.

Japanese swimming star Ikee Rikako has returned to competition for the first time in 19 months after revealing she had leukemia early last year.

She took part in the women's 50-meter freestyle on Saturday in a meet held at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

The season's first Pacific saury fishing boat docked early Saturday at a port in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

The vessel offloaded a catch of only around 4 tons, less than 20 percent of last year's first haul.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 247 new coronavirus cases as of 3 p.m. on Saturday.

It is the fourth straight day that the daily count in the Japanese capital has surpassed 200.