Some Japanese department stores are taking steps to promote diversity in their apparel departments.

On January 19, it was learned that actress Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's (89) autobiographical story "Totto-chan at the Window" will be made into an animated film, which is scheduled to be released this winter.

Popular "moppankei (meal videos)" YouTube star Kanokstar (26), who has 1.47 million subscribers, updated his YouTube channel by the 15th.

About 60 people dressed in colorful "Hina" doll costumes rode in a boat procession in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo on Sunday.

Weather officials say cherry trees in central Tokyo are expected to start blooming around March 18, about a week earlier than usual, thanks to relatively warm temperatures this month.

An annual torch ceremony heralding the arrival of spring has begun at Todaiji Temple in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara.

Xiang Xiang the giant panda is on her way to China.

A Japanese relief team operating in earthquake-hit Turkey is set to shift its focus away from search and rescue efforts and toward medical assistance.

Japanese weather officials are warning of heavy snow in Tokyo and the surrounding areas, as well as in the northeastern region of Tohoku, on Friday. Snow could accumulate even in central Tokyo and affect traffic.

Heavy snow is forecast for Japan's Kanto-Koshin region on Friday and Saturday, with accumulation expected even in central Tokyo.

Snow is falling on and off mainly in northern Japan on Thursday. Hokkaido is experiencing stormy weather with snow and strong winds.

A naturally-formed curtain of icicles is amusing visitors in a town in the northern Japanese prefecture of Aomori.