The head of Japan's main opposition party announces her intention to resign abruptly.

The Tokyo metropolitan government is considering building an airfield in the remote Ogasawara chain of islands.

Faced with increasing imports of U.S. beef, Japan is expected to raise tariff from August.

An explosion occurs at a chemical plant in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, causing a fire and injuring four workers.

A high-speed passenger boat connecting Kansai and Kobe airports crashes into a guide light, injuring 15.