Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has instructed the culture minister to launch a probe into the religious corporation previously known as the Unification Church.
The group is under close scrutiny for alleged shady marketing practices and its solicitation of large donations from followers.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has made a ritual offering at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on the occasion of its autumn festival.
The shrine honors Japan's war dead. Those remembered include leaders convicted of war crimes after World War Two.
A group of companies in Japan has launched an effort to promote so-called ethical food. They plan to create a scoring system that lets consumers know more about how foods are made and their impact on the environment.
Ten firms and organizations are holding an event in Tokyo to kick off the initiative. The group includes a major confectionary maker and a marketing company.
Japan's health ministry says it confirmed 1,588 new cases of the coronavirus in Tokyo on Monday.
The daily tally is up 216 from a week ago.
Japanese prosecutors appear to be investigating a 4th bribery case tied to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games involving a former executive of the events' organizing committee.
Sources say Takahashi Haruyuki is suspected to have received cash from a company that sold licensed merchandise related to the Games' official mascots. He is believed to have told the organizing committee that licensing contract screenings were too strict.
A former member of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force says her colleagues have apologized to her in person for past sexual harassment.
Gonoi Rina spoke to reporters in Tokyo on Monday after receiving apologies from four men earlier in the day.
New global targets for international passenger flights to achieve net-zero carbon emissions are prompting Japanese airlines to speed up efforts to cut their carbon footprint.
The International Civil Aviation Organization which sets rules for civilian aircraft, adopted the goals at its general assembly earlier this month.
The head of Japan's central bank has reiterated his commitment to continue monetary easing. That's despite growing pressure over the yen's depreciation.
Kuroda Haruhiko says the economy needs more support until prices rise stably and are accompanied by wage growth.
Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors says it will resume sales of commercial electric vehicles to the public. The move comes amid growing demand for EVs.
Mitsubishi started selling commercial EVs to the public in 2011 but stopped last year due to weak sales. The company will start offering them again in November as demand has seen a turnaround.
A violent scuffle broke out at a Tokyo restaurant on Sunday. Police suspect the brawl was initiated by a gang known as Chinese Dragon. Gang members include people of Japanese ancestry related to those who were left behind in China after World War Two.
The incident occurred at an establishment on the 58th floor of Sunshine 60, a skyscraper in the Ikebukuro shopping and entertainment district. One person sustained minor injuries.
An online petition has been launched to call on Japanese authorities for a court order to "disband" the former Unification Church under the Religious Corporations Act.
The campaign, which started on Monday, is organized by 39 individuals and groups, including supporters of former followers and their families, children of the members of the religious group, scholars and journalists.
A Consumer Affairs Agency expert panel has issued a report calling on Japan's government to conduct an inquiry into alleged shady marketing practices by the former Unification Church.
The eight-member panel has held seven meetings since late August to discuss how to support the victims of dubious marketing practices known as spiritual sales, and how to prevent further harm by them.
The former Unification Church says it will take careful note of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's call for an investigation into the religious group.
Kishida met Culture Minister Nagaoka Keiko on Monday morning, and told her to open the probe into the group based on the right to ask questions stipulated in the law.
Japan's health ministry says it confirmed 3,239 new cases of the coronavirus in Tokyo on Saturday.
The figure increased by 634 from a week ago.