Japan's health ministry says it confirmed 15,501 new cases of the coronavirus in Tokyo on Tuesday. That figure is up 821 from a week ago.

The ministry also reported 19 deaths in the capital.

Tokyo police have arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of threatening to kidnap preschoolers and female students.

Police say the unemployed man, Yomogida Haruto, sent the message to the website of Tokyo's Adachi Ward in June and July, saying that he will kidnap 334 kindergarteners and female students. He is suspected of obstructing business.

Japan's health ministry said it confirmed 10,454 new cases of coronavirus in Tokyo on Sunday. The figure is up 108 from a week ago.

The ministry also reported 16 deaths in the capital.

Children in Tokyo sampled so-called "inclusive food" for those with chewing or swallowing difficulties at an event on Sunday.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been developing meals of this type for children in a joint project with the University of Tokyo and Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Japan's health ministry says it confirmed 13,321 new cases of the coronavirus in Tokyo on Saturday.

The figure is down 248 from one week ago.

Soccer fans in Tokyo cheered loudly when Japan beat Spain in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The victory secured Japan's advance to the knockout stage.

About 420 supporters gathered at a viewing venue in Tokyo's Minato Ward to watch the crucial match early on Friday morning. The game would determine whether Japan's Samurai Blue team would advance or drop out.

Japan's health ministry says it confirmed 14,399 new cases of the coronavirus in Tokyo on Wednesday.

That is up 1,549 from a week ago, marking a sixth straight day of week-on-week increases.

A Japanese court has ruled that not recognizing same-sex marriages is constitutional. It dismissed plaintiffs' claim for government compensation, saying current legal provisions cannot be ruled unconstitutional.

The Tokyo District Court handed down the ruling on Wednesday in a damages suit filed against the government by eight plaintiffs, including same-sex couples. The plaintiffs argued that provisions in the civil code and other legislation that don't recognize same-sex unions are unconstitutional.

The Tokyo District Court is set to hand down a ruling in a damages lawsuit claiming that the government's non-recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

The eight plaintiffs argued that the inability of same-sex couples to marry disregards the principles of freedom and equality guaranteed by the Constitution. The Japanese civil code does not allow such marriages. The plaintiffs include same-sex couples living in Tokyo.

A university employee has been taken to hospital after he was violently attacked at a campus in Tokyo. Investigative sources say the victim is a sociologist and professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University, Miyadai Shinji.

Police received a report at about 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday that a man had been stabbed at the university's Minami-Osawa campus in the city of Hachioji.

Investigators probing alleged bid-rigging involving test events for last year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have raided more targets, including two group companies of major Japanese advertising agencies.

Tokyo prosecutors and the Japan Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday searched the offices of ADK Marketing Solutions and Dentsu Live, and other locations.

Japan's health ministry says it confirmed 5,767 new cases of coronavirus in Tokyo on Monday.

That is up 1,148 from a week ago. The daily tally rose week-on-week for the fourth day in a row.

Female leaders from African countries attending an international conference in Tokyo have stressed the need to take measures to ensure a stable food supply.

The first Asia Pacific Africa Women's Economic Exchange Summit opened on Monday. The conference was organized by a Japanese organization supporting African nations. Participants include female leaders from seven African countries, such as Uganda and Malawi and Japanese lawmakers.

Investigators have raided the offices of two major ad agencies, Hakuhodo and Tokyu Agency, over alleged bid-rigging involving test events for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Tokyo prosecutors and the Japan Fair Trade Commission also searched two other firms on Monday.