The Japanese government has tightened its rules for travelers from South Africa, where a new variant of the coronavirus was detected.

Japan started refusing arrivals from South Africa on Saturday. Japanese and non-Japanese who have resident status in Japan are allowed entry. But they are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days on arrival in the country.

Japan's Foreign Minister has expressed concern over China's advances in the South China Sea at the East Asia Summit with his counterparts.

Toshimitsu Motegi took part in the online meeting held late Wednesday, Japan time. The event was attended by foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as Japan, China, the United States, Russia and others.

Our 2019 Subaru Forester long-term tester is rounding second base in its stay at Autoblog's Michigan HQ, yet the blue-painted, gold-wheeled crossover hadn't left the Midwest throughout its first six months here, so I sought to change that by taking it down to New Orleans. The goal: Determine if the Forester is a good road trip car. Of course, my girlfriend and I also wanted to go to Mardi Gras, but either way, we were in for some long days of driving.

There are a few umbrella categories a vehicle should excel in to make a vacation and road trip better for all involved. For me, those include comfort, utility and its driver assistance systems.