Taro Kono is seen as a political maverick with liberal views on social policy. He is popular with the public, but his own party's power brokers may hesitate to make him the leader next week.
The health ministry said contamination was reported from multiple vaccination sites. The news raises concern of a supply shortage as Japan tries to accelerate vaccinations amid a surge in cases.
The ceremony organizers used artistic elements to show the athletes a taste of ordinary life in Japan, something they haven't been exposed to due to pandemic restrictions.
Japan won its third skateboarding gold in the sport's Olympic debut. 19-year-old Sakura Yosozumi earned gold and 12-year-old teammate Kokona Hiraki won silver. Britain's Sky Brown, 13, won the bronze.
Daily infections are nearly quadruple the numbers reported just a week ago. Japan's prime minister, who has denied the Olympics are to blame, has extended a state of emergency to the end of August.
Daily coronavirus cases in Tokyo have set records for three days straight, but Japan's prime minister denies that the Olympic Games are causing the spike.
Olympic organizers say another 24 Games-related personnel have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past day. Since July 1, 193 people linked to the Games have received positive test results.
The city surpassed a record that had been set a day earlier, notching more than 3,000 new cases on Tuesday. For the first time in four days, no Olympic athletes tested positive for the coronavirus.
The elements of the bouquet carry a deeper story, and they are years in the making. They're meant to symbolize the country rising from the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
In a corner of the convention center where journalists from around the world are working, volunteers diligently fold origami paper into beautiful and elaborate designs.
NPR's team of journalists has arrived in Tokyo. Their journey shows the challenges of just getting to the largest event in sports in the middle of a global pandemic.
Tokyo 2020 aims to be the most environmentally friendly games, offsetting carbon emissions and using sustainable materials. But some environmental groups say the symbolism exaggerates the reality.
Growing alarm about the Tokyo Games resulting in a surge of coronavirus cases has pushed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to announce a new round of emergency measures.
Michael Taylor, a former Green Beret, and his son Peter are facing charges for allegedly helping Ghosn, the former chairman of Nissan, jump bail and escape Japan for Lebanon.
