Tokyo has announced an ambitious multibillion-dollar program of economic assistance to Africa, in a bid to counter Beijing's growing economic and political influence.

The wild weather caused damage to buildings and farmland in Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu. Bullet train services in southern Japan were also cancelled.

A powerful typhoon has brought violent winds and record rainfall to western Japan. One of the biggest storms to hit the country in years, Typhoon Nanmadol killed at least two people, and left more than 300,000 homes without electricity on the island of Kyushu.

Many central banks around the world are following the lead of the US Federal Reserve and raising their benchmark interest rates in order to rein in inflation. The Bank of Japan, however, is marching to the beat of its own drum. At a policy meeting this Thursday, the bank maintained its ultra-loose monetary policy in a bid to spur more internal demand. Meanwhile, the yen and many other currencies continue to fall against the dollar.

Anger is growing in Japan over the upcoming state funeral for Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in July. The former prime minister had links to the Unification Church, a controversial religious organisation based in South Korea.

A powerful typhoon has brought violent winds and record rainfall to western Japan. One of the biggest storms to hit the country in years, Typhoon Nanmadol killed at least two people, and left more than 300,000 homes without electricity on the island of Kyushu.

Japan has held a state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in July. Leaders and dignitaries from around the world attended the event. But there was also widespread opposition to the funeral due to divisions over Abe's legacy.

For centuries, public bathhouses have been an integral part of local communities, but their number is falling as prices rise and more people take baths at home.

The 79-year-old Antonio Inoki was well-known for his bout against boxing legend Muhammad Ali and ties to North Korea.

In the 1970s and 1980s, North Korea organised a kidnapping campaign in "enemy" countries. As one of its closest neighbours, Japan became a prime target. The programme, decided at the highest level of the Communist state, was likely intended to train North Korean spies in foreign languages and customs.

China's growing military strength has spurred Japan and Australia to step up security cooperation. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will also seek to shore up supplies of natural gas and coal on a two-day trip to Perth.

The new deal allows the two countries' armies to train together, along with the sharing of more sensitive intelligence. China's increasing influence in the region has spurred the need for greater cooperation.