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.

Officials in several French cities are announcing that they will not be organizing public viewing areas for World Cup matches. There won't be any of the usual big screen broadcasts in the plazas, parks, and promenades of Paris, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, Reims, and Strasbourg.

The world's two largest cocoa producers boycott a major industry meeting in Europe over a price dispute. Also, South Africa says its government will take the lead in informing the public about any imminent threat to its territory after the US embassy issued a terror alert in Johannesburg for this weekend.

DW spoke with a woman who said she was victimized by the South Korea-based church. She wants Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government to take action and curb the religious organization's vast political influence.

Former Germany captain and World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger told DW he's not sure the current crop are good enough to win in Qatar. He also said the controversial World Cup hosts should be judged post-tournament.

Japan is the only G7 country which does not recognise same-sex unions. But this week, its capital Tokyo began rolling out a partnership certificate scheme. It allows same-sex couples to be treated as married couples for certain public services, this for the first time. Those services include housing, medicine and welfare.