That poll, which will decide which party controls parliament's powerful lower house, will come on Oct 27, Kyodo reported.

Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to comment on the reports at a regular briefing because they concern military operations.

Iwao Hakamada, 88, was jailed under the death penalty for 46 years until he was freed in 2014 pending a retrial.

Japan is currently home to the world's oldest living person Tomiko Itooka, who was born on May 23, 1908 and is 116 years old, according to the US-based Gerontology Research Group.

With the scorching summer heat behind and the chill of winter yet to arrive, autumn in Asia is the perfect season for delving into the tranquillity of nature.

Here is a rundown of the leading contenders.

Fin whales are the world's second-biggest animal after the blue whale.

The main drive behind the plan, however, "is the need to constantly innovate railway technology, and that could in turn help address labour shortage and other issues", a JR East spokesman told AFP on Wednesday.

Japan's economy grew at a slightly slower pace than initially reported in the second quarter, hurt by downward revisions in corporate and household spending that point to a bumpier second half for consumption and the central bank's rate-hike plans

Around 70-80 percent of customers are foreign tourists, who have flocked to Japan in record numbers this year, store manager Komura, who only gave his surname, told AFP.

Japan's government is encouraging a four-day work week with three days off for workers in Japanese offices.

The decision follows current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's bombshell announcement last week that he won't seek re-election, after polls showed plummeting approval ratings for his government.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted since 1945, is due to hold an internal leadership contest next month. Its popularity ratings have slumped because of rising prices.

Historical drama "Shogun", the sweeping story of a struggle for power in feudal Japan, racked up 25 nominations on Wednesday (July 17) to lead this year's contenders for television's Emmy Awards.

The Japanese government has stopped the use of floppy disks in all official capacities, in an ongoing effort to digitise its bureaucracy system. This takes place more than two decades since floppy disks were in their prime.

Japan offers rich cultural experiences and vast opportunities for higher education.

If you are someone with a passion for photography, be you a novice or an expert, bring out your camera with you, as we have prepared a list of 10 camera-friendly places to visit in Asia so you can get your dream shots.

Every country in the world has their own cuisine and their etiquettes defined by their culture. Japan is no different. With their delectable cuisine on the table, it’s hard to focus on something else. Nevertheless, one must not forget about the dining etiquettes.

Hamidur Rahman Cultural Center is all set to host a Calligraphy Workshop in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh. They made the announcement dedicated to art enthusiasts and cultural connoisseurs alike.

Gross domestic product inched up 0.1 percent between October and December from the previous three months