NHK has learned that more than 2,600 people have died over the ensuing years after being evacuated from their hometowns following the meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March 2011.

NHK contacted local governments in Fukushima Prefecture and found that at least 2,670 people, about 10 percent of the original population, had died as of August. More than 26,500 people lived in seven municipalities near the plant. Where they lived have been designated no-entry zones for nearly nine and a half years because radiation levels remain high.

Sweltering weather is hitting Japan on Friday, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in the Kanto region and elsewhere.

The Meteorological Agency says a high-pressure system is covering Pacific coastal areas of western Japan through the southern Tohoku region in northeastern Japan, bringing hot, sunny weather.

Temperatures soared across most of Japan on Tuesday, with the mercury topping 35 degrees Celsius in southern and western regions.

The Meteorological Agency says clear skies brought by a high pressure system extending from western to northeastern Japan, combined with an influx of warm air from the south, have caused temperatures to soar.

Japan's government says it may lift the nationwide state of emergency regarding the coronavirus outbreak before the planned end date of May 31 in many of the 34 prefectures that are not under special alert.

Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi said on an NHK program on Sunday the government will consider lifting the emergency declaration after listening to the opinions of an expert panel next week.

Today on ‘How Not To Modify Your Car', we bring you this chrome-studded Honda Civic sedan recently spotted in Massachusetts.

Data show younger generations account for a large portion of people confirmed to have the new coronavirus in Tokyo.

The pace of increase in coronavirus cases has risen in Japan's capital in recent days. Infections were confirmed among 41 people on March 25. The daily figure has since shown ups and downs, hitting 78 on Tuesday and 66 on Wednesday.

Japanese health experts say many passengers onboard a quarantined cruise ship were very likely to have been infected with the new coronavirus before authorities asked them to stay in their cabins.

Officials at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases held a news conference on Thursday. They discussed mass infections on the Diamond Princess, which arrived at Yokohama Port, near Tokyo, on February 3.

Nissan has released U.S. pricing for the 2020 Leaf, which brings a comprehensive safety upgrade, new infotainment system and an updated EV sound.