 Ryo Nakahira

 Shinji Hasuo

 Since late August, there have been six consecutive cases of suspicious fires within a narrow area of about 75 meters in radius in Adachi Ward. What kind of person was the 58-year-old man believed to have started this series of fires? We asked local residents about his character.

Pink-Haired Man Linked to Suspicious Fires? Neighbors Speak Out About 58-Year-Old Suspect

 Sayuri Saito

 With rising interest rates, insurance reviews are surging! You should absolutely never cancel “treasure policies” from the ’90s with projected interest rates over 5%. On the other hand, why should you review old policies from before 2000 right away? A pro provides a thorough explanation of proactive insurance strategies that outperform NISA.

Better Than NISA? Insurance Policies Worth Keeping—and Costly Old Policies Taken Out Before 2000 That You Should Reconsider

 Aki Shikama

 Kyodo News (3rd and 4th photos)

 Etiquette issues—such as children making noise and passengers acting as if they’re at a party—are frequently occurring in the Shinkansen “S Work” cars, which are designed for business travelers. We examine the current situation—which appears to be linked to the introduction of “child fares” and the start of ticket sales at ticket counters—and look into JR Central’s response.

Shinkansen’s S Work Cars Aren’t Immune to Bad Manners — JR Central Responds

 Scam emails redirect you to fake websites that look exactly like the real thing, luring you to the login screens of banks and credit card companies. When you log in, the criminals gain access as well. They can bypass two-factor authentication with ease. To avoid this...

Two-Factor Authentication Can No Longer Guarantee Your Safety: How to Spot Fake Government Emails and Protect Yourself from Scams

 The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy has issued an unusual warning regarding scam emails. This comes as the tactics used in fake emails and websites are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In some cases, opening the site brings up a genuine PayPay screen...

“Your Electricity Bill Will Drop Automatically”—Beware of Scam Emails Posing as Government Notices

 A trial was held for a man who posed as a pilot and swindled money and valuables from multiple women; throughout the proceedings, he offered nothing but self-serving excuses, such as “I had to maintain my lifestyle as a pilot.” He also made a series of other baffling statements.

“I Had to Keep Up My Lifestyle as a Pilot”: The Excuses a Romance Scammer Gave in Court

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 The “National Intelligence Agency” was newly established under the leadership of the Takagi Cabinet as an upgrade of the “Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.” “There’s no point in just creating a structure,” warns author Yoshiyuki Hama, a former member of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Security Bureau and the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. He discussed the challenges and offered his proposals.

Former Public Security Officer Yoshiyuki Hama Exposes the Reality of Japan’s Intelligence Agency

 Sari Yoshizawa

 After many twists and turns, there is a woman who has achieved great success as an “independent sex worker.” Although she has to handle crisis management, marketing, and administrative tasks on her own, she doesn’t have to give 40 to 50 percent of her earnings to an agency. We asked her about her journey and the secrets to her success.

How a School Nurse Built a ¥150 Million Fortune Through Independent Sex Work

 A verdict will be handed down on September 30 for a male elementary school teacher charged with secretly filming girls, including students at the school where he works. The man had been arrested for making a girl do a bridge pose for lewd purposes. What was his motive, as revealed during the trial?

Elementary School Teacher Who Filmed a Girl Doing a Bridge Without Her Knowledge Reveals in Court &#8220;What He Wanted to See&#8221;

 Shirashi Midori

 Rumors are swirling about a “mysterious figurine seller” who occasionally appears on the streets of Akihabara. Who is this person selling crane game prizes at a street stall? After repeated on-site investigations, we finally tracked him down one day and conducted an exclusive interview—.

Inside Akihabara’s Street Market for Crane Game Prizes: The Truth Behind the Unusual Figure Trade

 Masayuki Katayama (Journalist)

 [Part 1] Full Restoration Will Take 7 Years… Only Two Lanes Have Reopened So Far

 A road in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, suddenly collapsed on January 28 of last year… A bridge was built over the sinkhole on Prefectural Route 54, and two lanes reopened in April of this year. However, the remaining four city roads remain cut off, and a massive hole still gapes at the site.

A Drone’s-Eye View of the Yashio Road Collapse Site — 20 Months On

 [Part 2] Nearly 1 Year and 8 Months Since the Incident, Some Businesses and Stores Still Unable to Resume Operations

 On January 28 of last year, a hole approximately 8 meters in diameter and 5 meters deep opened up near a six-way intersection in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture. Such infrastructure crises are not limited to roads in Yashio City. What measures are needed to prevent such sinkhole accidents from recurring nationwide?

Best for documentary-style reporting: Inside Japan’s Yashio Road Collapse: A Recovery Project That Could Take 7 Years

 The “Four Sages of Ramen” engage in a thorough discussion of masterpieces from Toyo Suisan, Acecook, Sanyo Foods, Myojo Foods, and others. They select the “ultimate bowl” in three categories: Large Portion, Summer, and Overall. What exactly is the “Ultimate Cup Noodle,” chosen based on taste, price, portion size, and uniqueness?—

From the ever-evolving “Wakame Ramen” to products developed in collaboration with renowned restaurants… The “Ultimate Cup Noodles” Selected by Four Experts as “The Ultimate Bowl”

 A former business owner was re-arrested on September 17 for luring a man with a disability—whom he had met on a dating app—into a bar and swindling him out of exorbitant food and drink charges. What were the despicable tactics used by this man, believed to be the leader of the scam ring?

“We Targeted Disabled People With Money Living at Home”: Inside the Cunning Tactics of a Shibuya Scam Group

 A trial was held for a man charged with burglary and other offenses after breaking into an acquaintance’s home more than 100 times; during the trial, the man cited self-serving motives for his crimes, stating, “I wanted to be of help to her.” The man was sentenced to probation.

Man Broke Into a Woman’s Home More Than 100 Times, Replacing Her Underwear With New Ones and Cleaning Up—His Motive Revealed in Court

 Kyodo News

 The Ueno 400-million-yen robbery occurred this past January. At the trial of a man arrested on theft charges for his role as the driver in the incident, he claimed, “I didn’t receive a single yen in compensation.” He also denied reports that he was affiliated with a “yakuza” gang.

“I Didn’t Get a Single Yen”: Ueno ¥400 Million Robbery Driver Claims He Wasn’t Paid—Then Went on a Spending Spree

 Takeo Ketsu (1st and 3rd photos)   Tsuyoshi Kinugawa (4th photo)

 “Smartphone farms” centrally manage large numbers of smartphones to artificially inflate social media followers and view counts. When FRIDAY interviewed a site manager, he revealed that the operation runs over 100,000 devices and generates annual revenue of approximately 4.5 billion yen.

Want 100 More X Followers? It’ll Cost Just ¥255—Inside the Smartphone Farms Manipulating Public Opinion

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Afro

 Is the conventional wisdom that sleep is “for resting the brain” being overturned? It turns out even jellyfish—which have no brain—sleep! A sleep expert reveals the surprising biology behind this phenomenon and exposes the terrifying reality of “catching up on sleep on days off” and “three hours of sleep” as forms of self-harm.

Resting the Brain Is a Myth?! Even Brainless Jellyfish Sleep—Experts Warn That 3 Hours of Sleep Is Self-Harm

 While the “Japan Innovation Party” is increasing its presence in the political arena, a new scandal involving an incumbent lawmaker has emerged amid a series of scandals that are calling into question the party’s qualifications as a ruling party. It is alleged that Osaka City Councilmember Emi Kaneko intervened in discussions between a traditional Japanese restaurant called “Tenhan” and the Waterworks Bureau.

Osaka Lawmaker Accused of Pressuring Water Bureau Over Favorite Restaurant—Taxpayers Footed the Bill

 Midori Shirogami (Freelance Writer)

 Takeo Kessoku

 Avoiding intensified police crackdowns and filming by YouTubers, the “streetwalkers” have vanished from Okubo Park. They have now moved to the love hotel district in Kabukicho, giving rise to a peculiar community where regular women and johns have come to know each other by sight.

On the Run From Police and YouTubers: The New Tachinbo Scene Taking Shape Around Kabukicho’s Love Hotels

 Female CEO Repeatedly Gave Huge Donations and Expensive Gifts to a Popular TikToker… [Part 2]

 The CEO of a major Osaka-based nursing care and welfare services company is alleged to have used company funds to lavishly support a streamer. FRIDAY obtained audio recordings from June of this year, when employees confronted CEO A regarding a series of embezzlement allegations. Here is her response…

Female CEO Accused of Spending ¥600 Million of Company Money on Livestream Donations Confronted—Her Tone Suddenly Changes

 Female CEO Repeatedly Gave Huge Tips and Expensive Gifts to a Popular TikToker… [Part 1]

 A former employee, her voice trembling with anger, revealed that the CEO of a company headquartered in Osaka City—which operates approximately 50 nursing homes and facilities for people with disabilities in Osaka and Kyoto Prefectures—had been using company funds to tip and send gifts to content creators…

Major Osaka Care Services Firm Hit by Controversy Over CEO Allegedly Spending Company Money on a Favorite Celebrity

 Kota Ishii (Nonfiction Writer)

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Part 1

 “Senior dog homes” are facilities designed for senior dogs. Here’s an on-site report from “Senior DOG Heim,” one of the highest-ranked luxury senior dog homes. With luxurious, hotel-like interiors, the cost can exceed 2.1 million yen in just six months…

Too Luxurious for a Dog Home? Inside the Lavish Retirement Home Where Senior Dogs Live in Style

 Part 2

 “Senior dog homes” are facilities designed for senior dogs. Here’s an on-site report from “Senior DOG Heim,” one of the highest-ranked luxury senior dog homes. It’s said to offer a wide range of services, including walks, meals, nursing care, and medical care.

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