Latest from Mari Yamaguchi
Stockholm favoured to host 2030 Winter Olympics after Sapporo withdraws bid
Officials from Sapporo and the Japanese Olympic Committee on Wednesday announced a decision to withdraw the northern Japanese city as a candidate to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, with the effort soiled by massive corruption and bid-rigging tied to the one-year delayed Tokyo Games.
Tour boat carrying 26 people missing, reported sinking off Japan's northern coast
A tour boat with 26 people aboard was missing in rough and cold waters off northern Japan on Saturday after issuing a distress call and reporting to be sinking, the coast guard said.
Cherry blossoms return to Japan, but the party's not the same this year
People are celebrating Japan's peak cherry blossom viewing season without COVID-19 restrictions for the first time in two years. But many are strolling under the trees rather than drinking and eating in traditional party style.
Japan opts not to send government delegation to Beijing Olympics
Japan announced Friday it won't send a delegation of ministers to represent the government at the Beijing Games but three Olympic officials will attend, a mixed response to a U.S.-led move to boycott the games to protest China's human rights conditions.
Japan expands virus emergency after record spikes amid Games
Japanese officials sounded the alarm Thursday as Tokyo reported record-breaking coronavirus cases for the third-straight day with the Olympics well underway.
Officials in Tokyo alarmed as virus cases hit record highs
Japanese officials sounded the alarm Thursday as Tokyo reported record-breaking coronavirus cases for the third-straight day with the Olympics well underway.
Tokyo new virus cases near 2,000 a day before Olympics open
Tokyo's COVID-19 infections surged to a six-month high Wednesday with the Olympic host city logging 1,832 new cases just two days before the Games open.
Tokyo coronavirus cases hit 6-month high 2 days before Games opening ceremony
Tokyo's COVID-19 infections surged to a six-month high Wednesday with the Olympic host city logging 1,832 new cases just two days before the Games open.
IOC's Thomas Bach arrives in Tokyo; greeted by state of emergency
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach arrived in Tokyo on Thursday just as a ban on spectators at the Tokyo Olympics is likely after Japan Prime Minister Yoshihde Suga announced a state of emergency because of rising coronavirus infections in the capital.
Tokyo Olympics likely to open during COVID-19 'state of emergency'
Surging COVID-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.