The Japanese government says it has lodged a strong protest with China over the country's naming of underwater geographical features in areas believed to be around the Senkaku Islands.
The Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea are controlled by Japan, and claimed by China and Taiwan.
Torrential rains have drenched southwestern Japan. Weather officials are warning of possible mudslides and flooding in the region.
The Meteorological Agency said damp air was flowing towards the rain front, creating unstable atmospheric conditions over northern Kyushu and bringing rain clouds into the area.
Japanese Defense Minister Kono Taro says the government has abandoned its plan to deploy the Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense system in Yamaguchi and Akita prefectures.
Kono announced on Monday last week that the deployment plan had been suspended. He explained the background to the decision at a meeting of the National Security Council on Wednesday that was attended by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and some Cabinet members.
Japan's weather officials say higher-than-normal average temperatures are expected across the country from July through September.
The Meteorological Agency said on Wednesday that two high-pressure systems -- one from the Pacific Ocean and the other from the Tibetan Plateau -- will overlap near Japan in the next three months.
Nissan has introduced the facelifted Kicks to its home market, where it will go on sale from June 30, priced from 2,759,900 yen ($24,845).
Japan's health authorities reported 57 new coronavirus cases and four deaths on Tuesday.
The number of confirmed infections stands at 18,034, excluding cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
A group of European companies operating in Japan has called on the Japanese government to ease travel restrictions with Europe as soon as possible.
Michael Mroczek, the Chairman of the European Business Council in Japan, was speaking at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
More people in Japan are visiting city centers after the government lifted restrictions on travel between prefectures on Friday.
Mobile phone location data show that, as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, the number of people around Shinjuku Station in Tokyo was 9.9 points higher than a week before.
Former US national security advisor John Bolton says he asked Japan last year, on behalf of President Donald Trump, to pay 8 billion dollars annually to host American troops.
The request was more than four times the amount Japan currently pays.
Japan's karate governing body says it will redo some of its qualification processes for next year's Tokyo Olympics following a decision by the sport's international body.
The Japan Karatedo Federation announced on Monday that it will nullify the qualification of two athletes in the kumite category.
More people in Japan crossed prefectural borders on the first weekend since the government eased restrictions on such travel.
Cell phone data show the number of people who went from Tokyo to other prefectures on Saturday and Sunday rose 11 percent from the previous week. Travel to Tokyo from other prefectures grew by 14 percent.
Japan's government plans to hold a National Security Council meeting this week and withdraw the plan to deploy a land-based missile defense system called Aegis Ashore.
The government announced the suspension of the deployment plan last week.
People in Japan are moving about again on the first weekend since authorities lifted cross-country travel restrictions. On Saturday, crowds were seen venturing to distant tourist attractions.
NHK footage of the Tomei expressway shows the roadway is packed with vehicles. The cars are moving at a crawl. This is the first weekend since the government lifted the nationwide request to refrain from cross-prefectural travel.
People in Japan are out and about on the first weekend since authorities lifted cross-country travel restrictions.
The change is proving a boon for tourist sites which are welcoming back big numbers for the first time in months.