Japanese voters have gone to the polls in a parliamentary election that may give the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) a surge of support after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a dominant politician and power broker.
Inquiries have begun into what caused the disappearance of a Japanese tour boat off the nation's northern coast, while the coast guard confirmed the death of a child found late on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 11.
If you've never heard of or seen gateballers in action, head along to Yarralumla this weekend when Canberra Croquet Club hosts the 2022 Gateball Triples Championships.
Japan has become the latest country to take strong border measures against the threat of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, banning entry to all foreign visitors.
Two-way quarantine-free travel to South Korea and Japan from Australia is being considered by the prime minister as the country looks to expand international travel.
Japan's new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has defended his pro-nuclear energy policies, saying that re-starting nuclear power plants mothballed since the 2011 Fukushima disaster is vital.
