Key roads have remained largely empty and some schools have asked students to stay at home.

A 78-year-old man who drove off a brown bear by punching it in the nose has recounted the terrifying ordeal, as an unusual surge in spring bear sightings continues across Japan, including in the Kanto region and Tokyo. (News On Japan)

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Ehime Prefecture for the National Tree Planting Festival, marking their first visit to the prefecture since the Emperor’s accession to the throne and their first joint visit to Ehime in 27 years. (News On Japan)

Japan's Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry said on May 18th it had instructed Kissei Pharmaceutical to report the facts surrounding the deaths of 20 patients who had taken a treatment drug for vasculitis. (News On Japan)

A highway bus carrying 24 passengers was completely destroyed by fire after crashing into a motorcycle that had fallen on the roadway late on May 17th along the Second Keihan Expressway connecting Osaka and Kyoto, though all passengers and crew escaped safely. (News On Japan)

The tiger escaped a facility owned by local trainer Carmen Zander, also known as Germany's "Tiger Queen", according to local media reports.

The freight train collided with a bus in Bangkok, killing eight people and injuring dozens of others.

The freight train collided with a bus in Bangkok, killing eight people and injuring dozens of others.

Toyota has begun selling vehicles produced in the United States and "reverse-imported" into Japan following Japan-U.S. negotiations over the Trump administration's tariffs. (News On Japan)

Kami Rita Sherpa and Lakpa Sherpa summited Everest for the 32nd and 11th time, respectively.

Lai Ching-te made his first direct response to Trump and Xi's meeting where they discussed Taiwan independence.

Four crew members safely ejected from US Navy jets and are in a stable condition after the collision.

Four crew members safely ejected from US Navy jets and are in a stable condition after the collision.

Four crew members safely ejected from US Navy jets and are in a stable condition after the collision.

The crew members are in a stable condition after the jets crashed mid-air during a demonstration.

The government will hold a cross-ministerial meeting on May 18th to discuss measures to address risks associated with high-performance artificial intelligence (AI). (News On Japan)

Since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, the UN says it’s verified the execution of at least 32 political prisoners.

Since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, the UN says it’s verified the execution of at least 32 political prisoners.

Machines are increasingly replacing humans on the front line, but troops are still vital for defending territory.

BBC World Service exclusive: the private world of one of Africa's most powerful political women.