Seoul has again asked the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel over Japan's tightened export controls of industrial materials to South Korea. The WTO is expected to approve the request.

In July last year, Japan tightened export controls for three materials used to make high-tech products such as semiconductors.

A memorial service is planned for the victims of the deadly arson attack at a studio of Kyoto Animation on Saturday, the first anniversary of the fire.

The studio, in the city of Kyoto, was set ablaze on July 18 last year. Of the 70 employees who were inside, 36 died and 33 were injured.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko has once again urged residents and businesses to take measures to prevent spreading of the coronavirus after daily infection cases in the Japanese capital hit a record high.

Koike made the appeal on Friday as she announced that 293 new cases were confirmed.

Japan's health ministry approved on Friday the use of saliva to conduct PCR tests for people with no coronavirus symptoms.

Last month, the ministry allowed the use of saliva in PCR tests for the coronavirus, in addition to the method of swabbing the nostril. But tests using saliva, which are considered to be easier, were limited to those who had symptoms, like a fever.

Japan's Defense Minister Kono Taro says the country has asked the United States to conduct coronavirus tests on all of its military personnel who come to Japan.

Kono told reporters on Friday that the ministry requested two tests, one before such personnel leave the US and the other after they enter Japan, regardless of whether they have fevers or other suspected symptoms.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Friday reported 293 newly confirmed cases of coronavirus -- a new record high.

The figure surpasses the previous record of 286 cases reported on Thursday.

The Japanese government has officially announced it will launch a domestic travel campaign on July 22 that excludes trips to and from Tokyo.

Transport and tourism minister Akaba Kazuyoshi made the announcement at a news conference on Friday.

Officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government say they expect to confirm more than 290 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday.

The figure is likely to exceed the previous daily record of 286 cases reported on Thursday.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have been briefed about relief efforts for people in need affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Imperial couple has been receiving expert briefings on various areas as the impact of the spread of infections continues.

The rising number of coronavirus cases has become a stumbling block for plans to boost Japan's economy. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported a new daily high for infections on Thursday, breaking a record set only a week before.

The capital confirmed 286 cases -- a return to a recent trend following slightly lower counts.

The Japanese government will financially help companies relocate or diversify their production bases from China and elsewhere. It is hoping to reduce the risk of concentrating output in certain parts of the world.

Earlier this year, shipments to Japan of face masks and other products stalled amid the global spread of the coronavirus. This was partly because the country had been largely relying on production facilities in China for such goods.

Japan's minister in charge of coronavirus response says a government panel of experts has approved a domestic tourism campaign that excludes travel plans to and from Tokyo.

Nishimura Yasutoshi made the announcement on the "Go To Travel" drive after a subcommittee meeting on Thursday.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says its analysis of data collected by a weather satellite shows downpours that devastated a wide area in western Japan in early July were the heaviest in 20 years.

The agency's analysis shows the rainfall during the first 7 days of July in Kyushu and some parts of Chugoku and Shikoku hit a 20-year high for this time of the year.

Shogi prodigy Fujii Sota has clinched his first major title in the Japanese board game, similar to chess.

The 17-year-old defeated the Kisei champion Watanabe Akira in the fourth match of the best-of-five title series on Thursday, becoming the youngest player ever to clinch a major shogi title.