 Masayoshi Katayama (Journalist)

 Masayoshi Katayama, Kei Kato, Naoto Kato

 More than 300 locations across Japan "abandoned and turned into a big mondai! Built during the bubble era, but...

 There are more than 300 abandoned hotels across Japan that were built during the bubble era but closed down due to poor management...and then abandoned due to the rising cost of demolition. Some local governments are concerned about fires, collapses, trespassing, and other problems, as well as the deterioration of their impression as tourist destinations.

Inside Japans Abandoned Giant Hotel A Monument to Decay

 aflo

 Next year is likely to be a turning point for universities, as the rate of decline in the population of 18-year-olds exceeds the rate of university enrollment, and the management of universities is in a critical situation. Leading schools such as Meiji and Rikkyo are no strangers to this situation. Experts explain the "2026 problem" in detail.

MARCH Universities Are Not Immune The 2026 Crisis Could Wipe Out 100 Schools in a Decade

 Takashi Yoshida

 The Osaka High Court held the first trial for the appeal of Saki Sudo, the ex-wife of Kosuke Nozaki, a businessman known as "Kishu no Don Juan" who died seven years ago. All witness interviews and evidence requested by the prosecution were rejected and ......

Why the Kishu no Don Juan Appeal Ended the Same Day

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Kyodo News

 The cruel reality of "a fire in a neighbor's house burned down his house, but he received no compensation"...The cruel reality faced even in the case of a large-scale fire in Oita. What is the line between smoking in bed and tempura oil?　A lawyer reveals the legal risks of "getting burned in a fire" and the conditions of fire insurance that can affect the rebuilding of lives.

Ōita Fire Leaves 182 Buildings Destroyed, No Compensation Paid

 Hideki Asai

 Afro

 Why become a paid member of "Seijo Ishii" or "Costco" even with high prices?　The break-even point to get the original cost of the annual membership fee and the backdoor trick to make it pay for itself with gasoline are revealed. We will thoroughly explain the "most powerful membership" and smart consumption techniques to get the most out of your membership.

Rising Prices? Here’s the Paid Membership That’s Worth Every Yen

 Nihonbashi Group

 The illegal scout group "Natural" is said to be the largest and strongest (most dangerous) in Japan. Needless to say, the organization is vicious, but its cunning is also said to be outstanding among criminal groups. The following is a detailed description of the group.

Crime, Betrayal, and Hidden Informants: Inside the Natural Gang

 Ryo Nakahira

 On November 21, a 79-year-old defendant who took a high school girl by car and sexually assaulted her was sentenced in Saitama District Court. The defendant, who had a chronic illness and had fallen ill while in custody, had asked his lawyer for leniency, but the verdict was harsh.

Verdict Issued in Case of 79-Year-Old Who Abducted High School Girl

 Shinji Hasuo

 The first trial in the gruesome case was set for February 16, 2014. The defendant is alleged to have beaten three members of a family living in Saitama Prefecture to death by hitting them multiple times with an axe. The defendant has consistently denied involvement in the crime since his arrest. This article introduces the whole case and the points of contention in the trial.

First Trial in February Reveals Brutal Details of Family of Three Murder Case

 It's like solving a mystery: "Abandoned railroad tracks have a nostalgic feeling that the railroad no longer runs there. We have to find out how the railroad was built and why it disappeared, actually visit and walk around the site, and ask the local people about their experiences.

Did a Railway Once Run Here? The Forgotten Tracks Hidden in Our Cities

 Yutaka Asai (1st photo), Mihiro Kikuchi (2nd photo)

 In this issue of Playback, we look back at what this magazine reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. In this issue, we take a look back at the "Hiroshima Elementary School Murder Case" that took place in 2005. The perpetrator, a Peruvian man, told the court his shocking "motive.

Playback &#8217;05] &#8220;The Devil Told Me to Kill&#8221;: Peruvian Murderer of Hiroshima Elementary School Girl Tells of His Astonishing &#8220;Motive

 Furusato tax payment allows you to receive deductions for both residential tax and income tax by making a donation based on your income to a municipality other than your place of residence. After consulting with experts, we have carefully selected some of the most economical gifts, such as fruits, that can be donated for less than 10,000 yen!

One month to go until the end of the application deadline&#8230; Hometown tax specialists carefully select the best tax returns! The &#8220;Best Returned Goods&#8221; with a donation of 10,000 yen or less!

 Furusato tax payment allows you to receive deductions for residence tax and income tax by making a donation based on your income to a municipality other than your place of residence. In this article, an expert explains tips on how to use the Furusato Tax Payment portal site.

Can a little effort reduce the price of returned goods? &#8230;Experts explain the innovations you need to know about hometown taxation

 Takeshi Kinugawa

 Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's economic policy, commonly known as "Sanae-nomics. The idea is to stimulate the economy through aggressive fiscal stimulus, but a veteran member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) asserts, "It has reached its limits. What are the structural limitations of SanaeNomics?

The yen&#8217;s depreciation will not be halted and life will only become more difficult&#8230;A &#8220;high market recession&#8221; is coming due to the limits of Sanaenomics.

 Daisuke Iwasaki

 On December 2, the Diet Members Caucus for the Future of Baseball was launched by a bipartisan group of Diet members. The Diet Members Caucus was born, bringing together 122 Diet members, including former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In his guest of honor address, Sadaharu Oh mentioned next spring's WBC.

Sadaharu Oh addresses guests at the bipartisan Congress of Baseball&#8230;encourages Shohei Ohtani to &#8220;be the best in the world as long as he participates&#8221; in the WBC.

 Kyodo

 A Japanese Self-Defense Forces officer, who had been in a relationship with a woman while concealing the fact that he had a wife and child, stabbed her in her 40s in the left abdomen before she performed at a live music concert. Behind his back, he played the role of a good husband and father to those around him. ......


JSDF Officer Arrested in Akasaka Live House Attack—Friends Say He Hid a Dark Side

 A doctor at the University of Tokyo Hospital was arrested on suspicion of bribery after receiving 700,000 yen in the form of a "donation" from a medical equipment manufacturer in exchange for favors. There is a movement in the industry to review "donations," which may have unforeseen effects.

Elite Academic Accused of Accepting Donation Bribes—Who Will Be Hit Next?

 A man was arrested on suspicion of fraud after he swindled a cabaret girl out of one million yen by telling her that he would give her five million yen to pay gift tax. Speaking of the nightlife district, it is standard practice for customers to be cheated out of their money, but there are also scammers who target cabaret girls.

Man Offers 5 Million Yen to Hostess as Lifetime Gift in Unusual Plot

 On November 10, a man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl and having nonconsensual sexual intercourse with her was sentenced in Saitama District Court. The judge pointed out that the defendant, who had met many girls through matching apps, "lacked something.

[Ruling] &#8220;I wore contraceptives during intercourse&#8221; Defendant who kidnapped and had nonconsensual sex with 13-year-old girl &#8220;lacked something.&#8221;

 Born in Tokyo in 1977. Nonfiction writer. He has reported and written about culture, history, and medicine in Japan and abroad. His books include "Absolute Poverty," "The Body," "The House of 'Demons'," "43 Killing Intentions," "Let's Talk about Real Poverty," "Reporto: Who Kills Japanese Language Ability," and "Children Hurt Each Other.

 Kota Ishii

 ZUMA Press/Afro

 Kabukicho host clubs have become a hotbed of social problems such as "stand-up" girls. Kabukicho in Shinjuku has become a mecca for host clubs. Nonfiction writer Kota Ishii reports on the "King of Hosts" who has risen to the top. Part 2" will be delivered in this issue.

Yoritomo and Ryusei reign&#8230;Kabukicho host club &#8220;taboo to pull from other establishments&#8221; new strategy of the &#8220;emperor&#8221;.

 Born in Tokyo in 1977. Nonfiction writer. He has reported and written about culture, history, and medicine in Japan and abroad. His books include "Absolute Poverty," "The Body," "The House of 'Demons'," "43 Killing Intentions," "Let's Talk about Real Poverty," "Reporto: Who Kills Japanese Language Ability," and "Hurtful Children.

 Host clubs have become a hotbed of social problems such as "stand-up" girls. Kabukicho in Shinjuku has become a mecca for host clubs. Nonfiction writer Ishii Kota brings to life the "King of Hosts" who has risen to the top. Part 1

A host club in Kabukicho, a sacred place in Tokyo, is a breeding ground for &#8220;stand-up&#8221; girls&#8230; The man who rose to the top of the host club has run aground after only three months.

 Sayuri Saito

 Afro (1st photo)

 Are the ¥400 billion "Okome (rice) coupons" a tribute to the JA? Suzuki's return to "reduced production" will inevitably keep the price of rice high. This article exposes the dark side of the "political-government-industry triangle" that prioritizes the farmers' vote over the people's livelihood, and the foolish policy that will not help the farmers even if the coupons are distributed.

Production Cuts Return as Rice Increase Withdrawn, ¥400 Billion Coupons Favor JA

 It has been a long time since the "1,000-yen ramen barrier" was first mentioned. With inflation driving up the price of many things, what is the right price for ramen? We asked ramen writer Captain Ide.

Ramen for 1,000 Yen? The Social Media Critics Who Haven’t Got the Memo

 On November 13, the freelance announcer reported on her SNS that she had passed the bar exam. We interviewed Yamamoto directly!

From Announcer to Lawyer: Mona Yamamoto Passes Bar Exam, Inspired by Chino Kikuma

 Blank Green

 There is a rumor that "Shibuya Yokocho" in Shibuya's Miyashita Park, which opened in 2008, has no customers. Most of the customers are said to be foreigners, but how did this happen? We asked the customers on site for their opinions.

News

Inside Japans Abandoned Giant Hotel A Monument to Decay

MARCH Universities Are Not Immune The 2026 Crisis Could Wipe Out 100 Schools in a Decade

Why the Kishu no Don Juan Appeal Ended the Same Day

Ōita Fire Leaves 182 Buildings Destroyed, No Compensation Paid

Rising Prices? Here’s the Paid Membership That’s Worth Every Yen

Crime, Betrayal, and Hidden Informants: Inside the Natural Gang

Verdict Issued in Case of 79-Year-Old Who Abducted High School Girl

First Trial in February Reveals Brutal Details of Family of Three Murder Case

Did a Railway Once Run Here? The Forgotten Tracks Hidden in Our Cities

Playback ’05] “The Devil Told Me to Kill”: Peruvian Murderer of Hiroshima Elementary School Girl Tells of His Astonishing “Motive

One month to go until the end of the application deadline… Hometown tax specialists carefully select the best tax returns! The “Best Returned Goods” with a donation of 10,000 yen or less!

Can a little effort reduce the price of returned goods? …Experts explain the innovations you need to know about hometown taxation

The yen’s depreciation will not be halted and life will only become more difficult…A “high market recession” is coming due to the limits of Sanaenomics.

Sadaharu Oh addresses guests at the bipartisan Congress of Baseball…encourages Shohei Ohtani to “be the best in the world as long as he participates” in the WBC.

JSDF Officer Arrested in Akasaka Live House Attack—Friends Say He Hid a Dark Side

Elite Academic Accused of Accepting Donation Bribes—Who Will Be Hit Next?

Man Offers 5 Million Yen to Hostess as Lifetime Gift in Unusual Plot

[Ruling] “I wore contraceptives during intercourse” Defendant who kidnapped and had nonconsensual sex with 13-year-old girl “lacked something.”

Yoritomo and Ryusei reign…Kabukicho host club “taboo to pull from other establishments” new strategy of the “emperor”.

A host club in Kabukicho, a sacred place in Tokyo, is a breeding ground for “stand-up” girls… The man who rose to the top of the host club has run aground after only three months.

Production Cuts Return as Rice Increase Withdrawn, ¥400 Billion Coupons Favor JA

Ramen for 1,000 Yen? The Social Media Critics Who Haven’t Got the Memo

From Announcer to Lawyer: Mona Yamamoto Passes Bar Exam, Inspired by Chino Kikuma

Is Shibuya Yokocho Just for Tourists? Locals and Visitors Share Their Thoughts