 Akira Ikoma

 The history of image play is a cultural history of sexual customs. In this first installment of a series of articles, sex journalist Akira Ikoma explores the history of cosplay and image rooms, which have evolved along with changes in society. The birth of "Imekura" is introduced.

How Image Clubs Started—Without Sexual Services

 Shinsuke Sakai

 Kinuko Iwamoto, former president of Tokyo Women's Medical University (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), who was arrested in January 2013 and indicted in February of the same year on charges of breach of trust, has been sued by the university for a huge amount of damages. We report on the details of the lawsuit.

Tokyo Women’s Medical University Ex-Chairwoman Faces Huge Compensation Lawsuits Amid Ongoing Scandals

 Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department (1st photo)

 Up-and-coming journalists report the latest information on the "unsolved case"...the "main suspect" who continues to remain a mystery.

 In the Roppongi club attack, a man mistaken for a rival gang leader was beaten to death by several members of the Kanto Rengo. The main suspect, Shinichi Mitachi, has fled to the Philippines, and there has been no promising information on him until now. The investigation is now at a standstill.

Roppongi Club Incident — A Year-End Deep Dive Into the Case That Still Holds Dark Questions

 Takero Yui

 The so-called "blue ticket," a traffic citation system for bicycles, will be introduced next April 1. This article introduces various violations that until now have been allowed with a warning or instruction from a police officer, except for malicious violations such as drunken driving.

New Road Traffic Law Coming Next Spring—Cyclists Subject to Fines

 Kazuhiko Nakamura (1st photo) Courtesy of the bereaved family (2nd photo)

 The "unsolved case"...spirited journalists report the latest information on the "main suspect" who continues to remain a mystery.

 The murders of the Miyazawa family of four, "If it had happened in this day and age...it would have taken less time to solve the case," says a person involved in the investigation, expressing his regret. The persistent investigation continues, but senior investigators are concerned that the murderers are already dead.

Inside the Unsolved Setagaya Family Killing — A Year-End Special Report

 Masayoshi Katayama

 Japan-China relations are worsening due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comment that the two countries are in a state of existential crisis. When this magazine's reporter visits China, he finds ....... The first Sushiro restaurant to open in Shanghai was so popular that customers waited over three hours to get in. This is a "report from the field" that provides firsthand information that cannot be obtained in Japan.

Sushiro Lines Stretch Over 3 Hours in Shanghai Despite Tense Japan-China Relations

 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?

News

How Image Clubs Started—Without Sexual Services

Tokyo Women’s Medical University Ex-Chairwoman Faces Huge Compensation Lawsuits Amid Ongoing Scandals

Roppongi Club Incident — A Year-End Deep Dive Into the Case That Still Holds Dark Questions

New Road Traffic Law Coming Next Spring—Cyclists Subject to Fines

Inside the Unsolved Setagaya Family Killing — A Year-End Special Report

Sushiro Lines Stretch Over 3 Hours in Shanghai Despite Tense Japan-China Relations

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.

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

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