The Tokyo Metropolitan Government wants workers to ditch the suit and tie for t-shirts, trainers - and shorts.
The Japanese parliament has approved a bill to relax imperial succession rules, amid concerns over the dwindling size of the imperial family.
The law now allows the adoption of male distant relatives aged over 15 back into the imperial family.
Schools, work and outdoor activities have been suspended in Zhejiang province and many transport services cancelled.
Heading for Taiwan and south-eastern China, the 1,000 km-wide Bavi is forecast to be one of the strongest storms in decades.
See how the powerful storm is expected to move across east Asia on Saturday.
The BBC spoke with 35-year-old Japanese mayor Shoko Kawata about the criticism she received after announcing her plan to take maternity leave while in office.
In the face of criticism, Shoko Kawata, 35, says she loves her job and is proud to be taking time off to have a baby.
The BBC's Katy Watson explains why troops are training in remote Australia, thousands of kilometres from any major conflicts.
