The iconic New Year’s Eve bell at Chion-in Temple in Kyoto will shift to a fully paid and reservation-only system this year, with entry limited to 2,000 people, in response to overwhelming crowds in recent years. (News On Japan)

Government staff describe their uncertainty during a budget impasse - though not all of them oppose the shutdown.

Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, has tested positive for Covid-19, the Imperial Household Agency announced on October 2nd, cancelling her scheduled trip to Shiga Prefecture on October 5th and 6th to observe the National Sports Festival. (News On Japan)

A system failure caused by a cyberattack at beverage giant Asahi Group shows no sign of resolution, disrupting deliveries and leaving some supermarket shelves empty. (News On Japan)

Authorities fear souvenirs with jokes and sexual messages on them are hurting the area's image.

Authorities fear products like joke t-shirts and items with sexual messages on them are hurting the area's image.

Maebashi Mayor Akira Ogawa held a closed-door meeting with all city council members on October 2nd to explain her repeated hotel meetings with a married senior city official, but afterward she avoided stating whether she would resign. (News On Japan)

Japan is about to hold the leadership election of the ruling party, and the winner will become the next prime minister. Five candidates are in the running this time. Some people say Japan is doomed no matter who wins. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

Studying samples from the ice sheet gives an environmental record of over a million years.

Police say they shot dead two people who were part of a crowd trying to storm a police station.

Police say they shot dead two people who were part of a crowd trying to storm a police station.

President Trump's proposal, accepted by Israel, stipulates that Hamas disarm and have no future role in governing Gaza.

The man who was photographed as a baby on the LP cover sued the band for distributing child pornography.

Police suspect three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer, originally from Bristol, was taken from a beach in Australia.

Police suspect three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer, originally from Bristol, was taken from a beach in Australia.

Ukraine has attacked refineries deep inside Russia, with Zelensky vowing to continue the strikes.

Bobi Wine says the two Kenyans were "picked up mafia-style" because they had joined his campaign.

There are reportedly "no signs of life" under the wreckage, where 59 people are still missing.

There are reportedly "no signs of life" under the wreckage, where 59 people are still missing.

The Alhashemi family have spent the past 15 years moving around Europe in a state of legal limbo.