The Spring Takayama Festival, which signals the arrival of spring in Hida Takayama, opened on April 14th, drawing large crowds to the historic town. (News On Japan)

The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner explains how the US blockade of Iranian ports will work.

Diezani Alison-Madueke is accused of living “a life of luxury” in the UK at properties paid for and refurbished by industry figures.

Diezani Alison-Madueke is accused of living “a life of luxury” in the UK at properties paid for and refurbished by industry figures.

The US military has the capability to mount a blockade of vessels moving in and out of the Gulf. The question is: to what end?

More than 80% of companies in Japan’s Kyushu and Okinawa regions say they are experiencing negative impacts from the ongoing situation in the Middle East, according to a survey released by Tokyo Shoko Research on April 13th. (News On Japan)

The cherry blossom front has finally reached Hokkaido, with Matsumae Town in southern Hokkaido declaring the start of the blooming season on April 13th. (News On Japan)

IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant, is set to open its first outlet in Hokkaido in mid-May, marking its long-awaited entry into the region not in the major city of Sapporo but in the neighboring town of Tobetsu, where deep historical ties with Sweden have helped pave the way for the project. (News On Japan)

Japan is now facing a new challenge rarely seen before — a wave of foreign tourists unlike any in the country's history. (News On Japan)

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda warned on April 14th that rising crude oil prices driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East could act as a drag on Japan’s economy, signaling growing concern within the central bank over external cost pressures. (News On Japan)

TOTO has suspended new orders for unit baths and other products as concerns grow over shortages of petroleum-based materials amid escalating tensions involving Iran. (News On Japan)

Technical and logistical problems mean Peruvians choosing a new president and members of Congress continue to vote on Monday.

Technical and logistical problems mean Peruvians choosing a new president and members of Congress continue to vote on Monday.

Organisations warn many more people could be executed in the wake of the anti-government protests which swept Iran earlier this year.

The team was returning from a fixture when they were attacked by "masked men wielding guns and assault rifles", officials say.

Asha Bhosle died in Mumbai on Sunday after being admitted to the hospital following a heart attack.

The team was returning from a fixture when they were attacked by "masked men wielding guns and assault rifles", officials say.

The singer, who died at the age of 92, will be cremated with full state honours on Monday.

The US president accuses Leo of being "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy".

European leaders share Hungarians' joy over the ousting of Vladimir Putin's EU ally, writes the BBC's Europe editor.