Restoration work being done to preserve the Hiroshima Peace Memorial was unveiled to reporters on Wednesday. The memorial is also known as the Atomic Bomb Dome.
The structure in Hiroshima City survived the 1945 US atomic bombing.
Japan's Prime Minister has made a public apology about two senior governing coalition lawmakers who dined out late at night, despite the government asking people to avoid non-essential outings, especially at night.
Suga Yoshihide made the apology at an Upper House committee session on Wednesday.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 973 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Wednesday.
The daily tally again dropped below 1,000, as it did on Sunday and Monday, after a slight increase on Tuesday.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has agreed to work closely with new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance.
The two countries' top diplomats spoke by phone on Wednesday morning, Japan time, hours after Blinken was sworn in as secretary of state.
Japanese officials say the government may have to extend its state of emergency, if no major improvement is seen in coronavirus infections in Tokyo and elsewhere.
A state of emergency is currently in effect for 11 prefectures, including Tokyo, till February 7.
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has apologized for the government's failure to provide sufficient medical care under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
Suga made the apology at a Diet committee session on Tuesday.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials confirmed 1,026 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Tuesday.
The daily tally topped 1,000 for the first time in three days.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has called for cooperation from the European Union in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. That comes as China increases its maritime presence in the region.
Motegi took part in an EU Foreign Affairs Council video conference on Monday. He is the first Japanese foreign minister to attend a meeting of the council.
Lawmakers in Japan have begun debating proposals to toughen up COVID-19 regulations. That includes controversial revisions allowing authorities to levy fines against rulebreakers.
At a heated session, the Prime Minister called on Diet members to act swiftly. Suga Yoshihide said," I have to do everything to make the anti-virus measures more effective in curbing the spread of the virus. The government has been working on the necessary revisions to the law, taking into account individual rights, to set provisions for penalties and support."
For the first time since a new state of emergency was issued, Tokyo's daily COVID-19 tally dropped below 700, but officials warn there is still a long way to go.
The Metropolitan Government reported 618 new cases on Monday, a slight drop following weeks of high numbers. The city of 14 million remains the biggest source of infection for the country, accounting for over a quarter of Japan's total cases.
Japan's Supreme Court has upheld a high court ruling that significantly reduced compensation for the parents of a junior high school student who killed himself after being bullied by classmates.
Presiding Justice Koike Hiroshi rejected an appeal filed by the parents, who were dissatisfied with the high court decision.
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino has made an online inspection of hospitals treating coronavirus patients.
The crown prince chairs the Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation, a medical and welfare organization.
About 200 people who contracted the coronavirus have died at home and places other than hospitals across Japan after their condition suddenly worsened.
The National Police Agency says at least 197 such deaths were confirmed from March last year through January.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 618 new cases of the coronavirus in the Japanese capital on Monday.
It is the first time Tokyo's daily tally has dropped below 700 since December 28 of last year.