Japan's chief cabinet secretary says the government will do its utmost to recover the country's tourism industry hit hard by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Suga Yoshihide expressed a goal of attracting 60 million foreign tourists in 2030.
About a month ago, the 2021 Toyota Venza was revealed, reviving an old nameplate for the U.S. by rebadging the Japanese-market Toyota Harrier. It's a clean, handsome if somewhat inoffensive design. But if you're wanting a small to midsize crossover with more punch, the Japanese branch of TRD is launching a set of body parts to make the Harrier/Venza look more exciting.
The company just revealed its body kit and wheels, and they're branded GR for Gazoo Racing, just like what you'll find on the Supra and GR Yaris. The kit adds a deep, angular front lip spoiler, side skirts and large rear diffuser. The hatchback gets a little spoiler at the base of the window, and the outboard grilles get black panels to make them look larger. Unique 20-inch wheels and a red and black GR stripe down the side complete the package. None of these parts change the driving characteristics except maybe the lateral dampers offered, which TRD says helps eliminate vibrations, though we're a little skeptical.
Japan's government is urging citizens to download a free coronavirus contact-tracing app that became available at app stores on Friday.
A smartphone with the app will record encrypted data sent out by other smartphones within a one-meter radius after 15 minutes of contact.
The Japanese government is launching a smartphone app designed to notify people who have come into close contact with individuals confirmed infected with the coronavirus.
It will release the free software on app distribution platforms on Friday.
The Japanese government has decided to ease entry restrictions from countries and territories where coronavirus infections are deemed to be under control.
The government coronavirus task force met on Thursday and decided on easing its policy, starting with business people under certain conditions.
An airport in central Japan has partially resumed international flights following a suspension of more than two months due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Philippine Airlines restarted service between the Chubu international airport in Aichi Prefecture and Manila on Wednesday.
The Bank of Japan has decided to maintain its policy of massive monetary easing to support the country's economy during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a two-day policy meeting that ended on Tuesday, the central bank also decided to increase its financing support for businesses to about one trillion dollars.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide says Japan is monitoring the situation in Kaesong.
He said his government is working closely with the United States and South Korea to gather and analyze information on the incident.
Japan is joining international efforts to help Pakistan control locust swarms that are damaging crops.
Japan's government says it plans to work with other parties, including Japanese aid groups, to provide insecticides to Pakistan.
The Japanese government will work closely with the United States and South Korea to analyze North Korea's reasons for demolishing an inter-Korean liaison office.
North Korea blew up the liaison office in the North's border city of Kaesong on Tuesday. The country had slammed Seoul for allowing North Korean defectors to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border.
Japanese Defense Minister Kono Taro says the government will suspend a plan to deploy the land-based Aegis Ashore missile defense system in the country.
Kono told reporters on Monday that due to technical and financial challenges the plan to deploy the system was being halted.
Japan and Vietnam are in the final stage of negotiations to ease coronavirus entry restrictions and resume visits of each other's citizens on a limited basis.
Japan will first allow visits by businesspeople and technical trainees. It is targeting a resumption of travel as early as late June.
Japanese weather officials are warning of localized heavy rains in wide areas of western to northeastern Japan by Monday morning.
The meteorological agency says warm, damp air is flowing from the west into a front, causing atmospheric conditions to become unstable over most of the country.
Okamoto Maya has released 14 music videos via Tokuma Japan's official YouTube channel.