The Japanese government is considering the postponement of the Imperial couple's visit to Britain amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Arrangements have been underway for the couple to spend about a week in the UK on a state visit in early May.

Japan's ban on the price-gouging resale of face masks came into force on Sunday. Tokyo took the measure as masks have been in short supply amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Violators will face penalties of up to one year in prison or a fine as high as about 9,500 dollars.

Health authorities in Japan confirmed 62 new cases of coronavirus infection on Saturday -- the highest daily increase excluding those linked to the cruise ship Diamond Princess.

The officials say the number of cases confirmed in the country reached 772 as of 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has laid out his government's plans to fight the new coronavirus. He discussed a newly enacted law that allows him to declare a state of emergency, if needed.

Abe said "This legislation is to prepare for emergencies. When the administration determines whether to declare a state of emergency, that would put restraint on various private rights. It will seek for recommendation from experts in making the decision carefully. Currently, the number of infections is still rising. However, the increase speed is slower compared with other countries where the speed of infection in accelerating. Given the situation, it is not necessary to declare a state of emergency now."

Japan's Defense Ministry plans to open a wartime underground bunker in Tokyo to the public.

The bunker was built by the now-defunct Imperial Japanese Army during World War Two to prepare for air raids. It is located on what is now the ministry premises in the Tokyo district of Ichigaya.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan is not in a situation where he needs to declare a state of emergency based on a law that came into effect on Saturday to tackle the spread of the new coronavirus.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Abe said cases in Japan are contained compared to other countries.

Japan's Meteorological Agency has declared the start of cherry blossom season in Tokyo.

Agency officials confirmed on Saturday afternoon that at least five blossoms had opened on the benchmark tree of the Somei-yoshino variety at Yasukuni Shrine in central Tokyo.

A railway line along the Pacific coast of Fukushima Prefecture has resumed full service nine years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident halted operations.

The 2011 northeastern Japan disaster forced the suspension of the entire Japan Rail Joban Line, which runs between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture. Operations resumed gradually as decontamination work progressed.

Hundreds of people turned out on Saturday for the opening of the first new train station on Tokyo's Yamanote line in about half a century.

Takanawa Gateway Station between Shinagawa and Tamachi is the 30th station on the loop line, which is operated by East Japan Railway Company, or JR East.

Japan's government plans to prepare for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as planned, amid concerns over the global spread of the new coronavirus.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that it might be prudent to delay the games for one year. His remarks came after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic.

The operator of Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen line says it will reduce the number of its trains in late March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Central Japan Railway Company had planned to operate extra Nozomi bullet trains from March 19 through 31, when the number of passengers usually increases due to spring holidays.

Japan's Diet has enacted a law that will enable the prime minister to declare a state of emergency to help contain the coronavirus outbreak.

The Upper House approved the legislation on Friday with support from the governing coalition and some of the opposition parties. The Lower House passed the bill on Thursday.

Japan's Diet has passed a bill that will allow the prime minister to declare a state of emergency to tackle the new coronavirus.

Police in central Japan plan to question a man infected with the new coronavirus who visited a restaurant after the health authorities told him to stay at home.

City officials in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, say the man's infection was confirmed on March 4, but he went to the restaurant later the same day. The staff notified health officials because the man, who is in his 50s, said he had the coronavirus.