Toshiba’s chief executive is stepping down to take responsibility for doctored books that inflated profits at the Japanese technology manufacturer by 151.8 billion yen (US$1.2 billion).

Japan said on Thursday it was considering any and all possible ways to seek the release of two citizens held hostage by Islamic State.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary on Thursday flatly denied a report in the Nikkei business daily newspaper that Pyongyang recently presented Tokyo with a list of about 30 Japanese, including those abducted by North Korea in the past.

Tokyo police wrestled with a black bull affected by white spots from the area around the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant on Friday as two cattle farmers launched a protest demanding help.

The two have remained at the farms caring for their cows and those abandoned by others despite the risks involved.

Japan’s purchase of disputed islands from their private owners was aimed at reducing tensions with China, but now the Tokyo must deal with Beijing’s anger over the move.

Japan on Thursday hanged a robber who killed two people and a cult leader blamed for six murders during what she and her followers said were exorcisms.

Six Osprey hybrid aircraft were transferred to a US base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa on Monday – and were greeted by hundreds of protesters outside the fence.

A weakening tropical storm was speeding out of Japan on Monday after bringing gale-strength winds to Tokyo and leaving at least two people dead and more than 180 injured. Japan’s Meteorological Agency had warned Tokyo residents to stay indoors 

Tokyo is looking into reopening official talks with North Korea to resolve questions over the abductions of Japanese citizens decades ago, raising concerns among allies who fear Tokyo's focus on that issue might weaken efforts to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.