 Sota Shima

 Akira Ogawa resigned as mayor of Maebashi City due to a "love hotel meeting". He has decided to run for re-election, but it looks like a "proxy war" with Gunma Governor Kazuta Yamamoto, the head of the prefectural government. ......

Former Mayor Ogawa Takes On Gunma Governor Yamamoto in a Proxy Political Battle

 Tetsu Taniguchi (1st photo) Yutaka Asai (2nd photo) Kei Kato (3rd photo)

 The latest information on the "unsolved case"...the "main suspect" who continues to remain a mystery, is reported by up-and-coming journalists.

 The president of the "Gyoza no Ousho" restaurant operator was shot and killed...The issue in the trial is the culpability of defendant Tanaka. If he is acquitted, the mystery of the true culprit will remain. If he is convicted, on the other hand, there is a mastermind who drew the picture of the case. The case appears to be a cold case.

Tracking the Deepening Mystery of the Gyoza no Ohsho President’s Shooting

 Nakahira

 Shinji Hasuo (1st to 5th photos)

 A woman was stabbed to death in Akasaka, Tokyo, in November. The perpetrator was indicted on December 12 and sent to prosecution on December 17, but he still denies having committed the crime. However, despite the many false pretenses, numerous pieces of evidence support the crime. ......

Suspect Denies Crime in Akasaka Case, But Evidence Closes In

 Courtesy of osaka-subway.com

 The 150 EV buses introduced for the Osaka Expo have been plagued by numerous defects. In the midst of these problems, it has been discovered that a large number of these large buses have accumulated in Osaka City. We take a closer look behind the scenes at what looks like a "graveyard.

Frequent Malfunctions Raise Questions About the Future of Osaka’s Expo EV Buses

 A former Neyagawa City Council woman who was sentenced to prison for abusing a loan program to an organization whose business had deteriorated in Corona. It was decided to grant benefits to the victims. The photo book sold out at 1,000 yen per book.

Former Female Councilor Convicted of Fraud Releases Photo Book, Sold Out at 1,000 Yen

 Ryo Nakahira

 On December 12, a man who had persistently molested the same high school girl for 10 months was sentenced. What was the "judgment" handed down to the man who even chased after the victim, who ran away because he "looked like her?

Justice Served: Man Convicted for Harassing High School Girl for 10 Months

 Shinji Hasuo

 In April of this year, three men were arrested for the theft of 12 million yen from a man's house in Toshima-ku, Tokyo. At first glance, this case may appear to be a "Tokuryu-type" crime, but according to journalist Yukio Ishihara, it is a little different.

Not Your Typical Tokuryu Heist? Authorities Arrest Key Figure in Major Theft

 Yuuki Okukubo

 Kyodo News (Obara suspect), Yuuki Okukubo (crime scene)

 The body of a mutilated infant was found in the waiting room of a dispatch-type brothel in Kinshicho, Tokyo. A "colleague" of the arrested former female employee revealed the suspect's suspicious behavior after the incident.

Former Colleagues Speak Out After Adult Worker Arrested in Infant Mutilation Case

 Tetsudo Takehiro

 In mid-December, while some 60 investigators were on high alert, the head of the Yamaguchigumi VI, Shinobu Tsukasa, appeared in kimono. On that day, he visited the headquarters of the Shimizu Family, an affiliate of the Yamaguchigumi, to report the inside story of the "Jikki-Meeting," which was revived for the first time in seven years.

Top Yamaguchi-gumi Leaders Convene in Broad Daylight; Boss Tsukasa Appears in Traditional Dress

 Kyodo News

 Tombstone 2025] This year, too, a national star, a famous actor, and a famous host have passed away. We bring you his words of regret along with his treasured photos.

 Ishiba said, "I have been a politician for 40 years, but I have never met a prime minister like Mr. Murayama. Even in Nagata-cho, there was no one who disliked him. He fondly remembers the character of Tomiichi Murayama as a man of honesty, sincerity, simplicity, and open-mindedness.

In Memoriam &#8217;25] Shigeru Ishiba looks back on Prime Minister Murayama: &#8220;Honest and sincere&#8230; there was no one who could say they disliked him.

 Hiroyuki Komatsu (1st), Takahiro Kagawa (3rd)

 In this issue of Playback, we look back at what we reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. The "Tochigi Elementary School Girl Murder Case" occurred in December 2005. At first, a lot of information was received and the case seemed to be solved quickly. ......

Playback &#8217;05] &#8220;The Murder of a Tochigi Elementary School Girl&#8221;: The unexpected end to a heinous case that seemed to have been solved quickly.

 Diceke Takahashi

 The popular MBTI is a fake! A professor at Waseda University sounds the alarm about the true nature of diagnoses that have no scientific basis. What is the risk of "modern-day blood type discrimination" contaminating job hunting and love? The dangerous truth of the heated blood type boom is approached.

The popular MBTI was a &#8220;fake&#8221;! The true nature of the &#8220;personality assessment boom with no scientific basis&#8221; that is polluting human relationships.

 Motoko Abekawa is a freelance writer mainly for the web. She is also involved in the production of books and corporate PR magazines. She does not specialize in any particular field, but covers a wide range of topics that intrigue her, including history, comedy, health, beauty, travel, gourmet food, and nursing care.

 Motoko Abekawa

 From the hell where 24 million melted down to 1.6 million to 330 million yen in assets. The ghost story teller and honey trap Umeki reveals the secret of "air trading" that allows you to win with zero yen. Even salarymen can become millionaires with this "30 minutes in the morning" investment technique!

24 million melted down to 1.6 million&#8230; A ghost story teller who saw hell made 330 million yen by &#8220;zero yen trade&#8221;.

 Yoshio Tsunoda/Afro (Mr. Tachibana), Takeshi Kinugawa (Mr. Otsu)

 The defendant Takashi Tachibana, leader of the "NHK Party," was arrested on suspicion of defamation. His request for bail was also denied, but there is another "serious case" that is likely to hunt him down. ......

Takashi Tachibana, the defendant, suddenly started &#8220;debt consolidation&#8221;&#8230; behind the scenes, authorities are investigating &#8220;another serious case&#8221;.

 Hiroyuki Komatsu (1st photo)

 Tombstone Epitaph 2025] Another year, another national star, famous actor, and emcee has passed away. We bring you his words of regret along with his treasured photos.

 Until just before his death, Takuro Morinaga was writing energetically, publishing about 10 books in one year. Mayumi Kurata said she felt he was determined to write down everything he knew. She describes him as a hardworking, erudite, but mischievous person with an endearing charm.

In Memoriam &#8217;25] Mayumi Kurata felt &#8220;Takuro Morinaga&#8217;s determination&#8221; as he wrote energetically until just before his death.

 Daisuke Iwasaki

 Two months have passed since Sanae Takaichi became prime minister. Despite her high approval rating, some members of the Prime Minister's Office and those around the PM are distrustful of the PM's comments. This is the latest in-depth report from Nagatacho.

High approval rating, but serious discrepancy with the public? Prime Minister Takaichi calls a senior official of The Japan Innovation Party &#8220;this guy,&#8221; and people around him are shocked.

 Nakahira Ryo

 A man was arrested for selling fake Ukiyo-e paintings on the Internet and swindled buyers out of about 1.2 million yen. There are many problems with online auctions, but is it possible to recover the money that was swindled? We asked a lawyer.

Fake Ukiyo-e Sale Lands Man in Trouble – What This Case Teaches About Online Auctions

 A man was arrested in Tokyo for attempting to import the largest quantity of "zombie cigarettes," or etomidate, from Thailand. What is the reason why this product, which became popular in Okinawa, has finally started to spread in Tokyo?

“It Will Spread in Tokyo Too” – The Rise of Zombie Tobacco After Massive Seizure

 Mika Yanagihara (nonfiction writer)

 Courtesy of the bereaved family

 There was the first trial of an accident that claimed the life of a one-year-old toddler. The defendant's car veered into oncoming traffic and collided with the victim's car. The family in the car was killed or injured. Nonfiction writer Mika Yanagihara provides images of the moment of the accident and the family's voice [Part 2].

Family Furious at Defendant’s Outrageous Actions After Fatal Crash Claims One-Year-Old Son

 There was the first trial of an accident that claimed the life of a one-year-old toddler. The defendant's car veered into oncoming traffic and collided with the victim's car. The family in the car was killed or injured. Nonfiction writer Mika Yanagihara provides images of the moment of the accident and the family's voice [Part 1].

Family Speaks Out on Deadly Accident That Claimed One-Year-Old, Shares Shocking Images

 Hiroyuki Sasaki (Entertainment Journalist)

 Pasya/Afro

 Takashi Tachibana, the leader of the "Protect the People from NHK" party, was arrested and indicted on suspicion of defamation. His request for bail was denied, but at the same time, a comment made by an NHK Party city councilor caused a stir. ......

NHK Party Councilor’s Comment Sparks Pressure Allegations From Detained Tachibana

 Born in 1970. After graduating from college, he joined a chain of mass retail clothing stores and became a reporter for a textile trade newspaper in 1997. 2003: After retiring, he worked in public relations for a T-shirt apparel manufacturer, as a magazine editor, in sales for a large exhibition organizer, and in public relations for a fashion college. Currently, he works as a freelance textile industry writer and PR advisor.

 Mitsuhiro Minami

 Farewell Skinny, Farewell Cheap Down...' For 25 years, two "national staples" have completely disappeared from UNIQLO. We explain the surprising reason why even mild yankees have left, and the "desperate behind-the-scenes situation" that makes it impossible to buy down clothing for less than 10,000 yen.

Goodbye Skinny Jeans, Goodbye Cheap Down Jackets — Why Uniqlo Removed Two Iconic Staples in 2025

 A man was arrested for trying to smuggle about 1 kg of marijuana liquid hidden in a clay dish. The amount of marijuana liquid seized has increased dramatically over the past two to three years. Why are marijuana liquids so popular among young people? A former drug enforcement officer explains.

Why Smugglers Are Turning to Cannabis Liquid Instead of Leaves

 KIKUCHI Masayuki

 After crossing the Pacific Ocean, they followed the long voyage from North America to South America.

 192 elite cadets of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, after graduating from the National Defense Academy of Japan, spent five months on a voyage across the Pacific Ocean and South America. The film shows the true faces of these cadets, who will bear responsibility for Japan's national defense, including a female cadet who aspires to be a submarine pilot and a young man who wants to become a patrol aircraft pilot, amidst a training ship where strict instructions are given to the cadets.

News

Former Mayor Ogawa Takes On Gunma Governor Yamamoto in a Proxy Political Battle

Tracking the Deepening Mystery of the Gyoza no Ohsho President’s Shooting

Suspect Denies Crime in Akasaka Case, But Evidence Closes In

Frequent Malfunctions Raise Questions About the Future of Osaka’s Expo EV Buses

Former Female Councilor Convicted of Fraud Releases Photo Book, Sold Out at 1,000 Yen

Justice Served: Man Convicted for Harassing High School Girl for 10 Months

Not Your Typical Tokuryu Heist? Authorities Arrest Key Figure in Major Theft

Former Colleagues Speak Out After Adult Worker Arrested in Infant Mutilation Case

Top Yamaguchi-gumi Leaders Convene in Broad Daylight; Boss Tsukasa Appears in Traditional Dress

In Memoriam ’25] Shigeru Ishiba looks back on Prime Minister Murayama: “Honest and sincere… there was no one who could say they disliked him.

Playback ’05] “The Murder of a Tochigi Elementary School Girl”: The unexpected end to a heinous case that seemed to have been solved quickly.

The popular MBTI was a “fake”! The true nature of the “personality assessment boom with no scientific basis” that is polluting human relationships.

24 million melted down to 1.6 million… A ghost story teller who saw hell made 330 million yen by “zero yen trade”.

Takashi Tachibana, the defendant, suddenly started “debt consolidation”… behind the scenes, authorities are investigating “another serious case”.

In Memoriam ’25] Mayumi Kurata felt “Takuro Morinaga’s determination” as he wrote energetically until just before his death.

High approval rating, but serious discrepancy with the public? Prime Minister Takaichi calls a senior official of The Japan Innovation Party “this guy,” and people around him are shocked.