 Kyodo News

 [Part 2] A Series of Eerie and Intense Shakes in Aomori, Iwate, and Yamanashi

 While a series of eerie and powerful tremors has been occurring in Aomori, Iwate, and Yamanashi… massive earthquakes don’t just happen in rural areas. Research even shows that underground shopping districts could be flooded in as little as 15 minutes! What preparations do people living in urban areas need to make to mitigate damage?

A Magnitude 6+ Earthquake Strikes Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka—What Would Happen?

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 Seven prominent Kanto-based yakuza groups have gathered at the operational headquarters of the designated organized crime group, the Inagawa-kai. What exactly was the purpose of this gathering of top executives from each group? We delve into the inside story.

Seven of Kanto’s Most Notorious Yakuza Groups Gather in Shin-Yokohama—What Was Behind the Meeting?

 Takeo Ketsu

 On July 14, a low-key birthday party for former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori was held at the Ginza steakhouse “Hirayama.” Gone was the imposing physique he had during his heyday as the “Don of the Seiwakai”; instead, he appeared emaciated, looking almost like a different person.

Former PM Yoshiro Mori Appears Drastically Thinner at Luxury Steakhouse—A Somber Birthday for the “Don of Seiwa-kai”

 Works as a freelance writer primarily for online media. She is also involved in the production of books and corporate PR magazines. Without a specific area of expertise, she covers a wide range of topics that pique her interest, including history, comedy, health, beauty, travel, food, and elder care.

 Reporting and Text: Motiko Abegawa

 Afro

 Why Do “Kind People” Burn Out the Most in PTA Groups, Neighborhood Associations, and Fan Communities? A University of Tokyo professor exposes the true nature of “exploitation through a sense of fulfillment” and the “quagmire of good intentions” lurking in Reiwa-era communities. What are “weak ties,” the key to preventing this exploitation?

Can’t Bring Yourself to Say “I’m Quitting”… What Are “Weak Ties” and How Can They Help You Escape the “Quagmire of Good Intentions” Lurking in Communities in the Social Media Age?

 Shinji Hasuo (1st photo), Tsuyoshi Kinugawa (2nd and 3rd photos), Takao Kawakami (4th photo)

 A “Playback” series looking back at what this magazine reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This installment focuses on the Tokyo gubernatorial election held in July 2016. In conflict with the Tokyo chapter of her party and without organizational backing, we look back on Yuriko Koike’s campaign fought entirely on her own.

[Playback ’16] “Unpopular Yuriko”: The Confidence and “Chances of Winning” That Remained Unshaken Even in a Lonely Tokyo gubernatorial race

 Although forensic pathologists occasionally appear in mysteries and TV dramas, most people probably don’t know much about them. We spoke with Morio Iino, Tottori Prefecture’s only forensic pathologist, to learn about the lesser-known aspects of the profession.

The “Only Forensic Pathologist in the Prefecture,” Who Performs Autopsies on 300 Bodies a Year, Reveals the “Surprisingly Unexpected Reason” He Chose This Career Path

 Where is the centrist movement headed? … While talks have begun to unify House of Councillors members and local assembly members—who remain divided between the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito—Komeito is positive about the merger, whereas Constitutional Democratic lawmakers are unanimously saying…

&#8220;Local Support Is Lacking&#8221;: The Centrist Reform Alliance Six Months After Its Formation—Why a &#8220;Three-Party Merger&#8221; with the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito Remains Difficult

 Financial Planner / Representative of Financial Wisdom. Graduated from the Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Chuo University.Became independent after working at the Corporate Pension Research Institute and the FP Research Institute. Has served as Chief Researcher at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pension Education Center and as a Research Officer (in charge of defined contribution pensions) at the Corporate Pension Federation. A popular financial planner known for his concise and easy-to-understand columns on money, with numerous serialized articles and contributions.His recent publications include *RETIRE SHIFT* (Toyo Keizai Inc.), *Is 40 Million Yen Really Enough for Retirement?* (Nikkei Publishing), and *A Super Beginner’s Guide to the Japanese Version of FIRE: Even Ordinary Office Workers Can Do It* (Discover 21).<br /><br />
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 Shunsuke Yamazaki

 A must-read for middle-aged people despairing over the thought, “Am I going to be a corporate slave for the rest of my life, working until I die?” A financial planner explains how to achieve a fulfilling life through “Retirement Shift”—a new concept that lets you use NISA and iDeCo to gain the “right to quit” and decide your own retirement timing.

Hitoshi Matsumoto Reveals Colon Cancer Surgery—Experts Explain the Treatment and Prognosis That May Follow

 Shirashi Midori

 It’s said that something unusual is happening in the To-Yoko area right now. With regulations becoming increasingly strict, they’re reportedly running out of places to hang out. It’s also said that the people gathering there are changing. We took a look at the “current state” of To-Yoko.

A Girl Jumped Onto &#8220;Godzilla Road&#8221;—Now the Tōyoko Kids Are Being Forced Out. Where Do They Go?

 Shinji Hasuo

 On July 15, an accident occurred in Nishi-Tokyo City, Tokyo, in which a third-grade boy on his way to school was struck and killed by a minivan. Why did this tragedy happen, even though he was crossing the crosswalk on a green light? An accident investigation expert analyzes the incident.

He Was Simply Crossing the Street—Then Tragedy Struck. The Unexpected Blind Spot on a Child’s Daily Route

 The first hearing for a former security guard charged with theft for stealing approximately 135 million yen from a bank ATM was held on July 13 at the Tokyo District Court. He stated that he “spent the stolen money as my desires dictated”—but what exactly did he spend it on...?

He Stole ¥135 Million and Blew It on Luxury Bags and Sex Workers—What He Told the Court

 Mika Yanagihara (Journalist)

 Courtesy of the bereaved family and others

 A verdict has been handed down in the case of a 1-year-old toddler who died in an accident caused by “distracted driving.” The defendant was sentenced to four years in prison. The bereaved family commented that the verdict “causes further suffering to the victim.” Journalist Mika Yanagihara, who covered the trial, details the accident and the defendant’s absurd testimony in court.

Toddler Dies in Crash, Defendant Gets Four Years—Then Claims He Changed Clothes While Driving About 48 Times

 Kei Kato (On-site photo) Jiji Press (Mayor Matsui)

 In a residential neighborhood in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, a mountain of industrial waste approximately 8 meters high—nearly as tall as a three-story apartment building—is plaguing local residents. Residents suffering from dust, noise, and vibrations have voiced their concerns, and the City of Kyoto continues to issue administrative guidance to the contractor. Our magazine interviewed the company’s CEO directly.

A Mountain of Industrial Waste Towers Over Homes Near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari—Residents Furious Over Dust

 Office worker and writer. An office worker and writer who explores Chinese restaurants in Tokyo. While attending university, he studied abroad for a year at Fudan University in Shanghai, where he became hooked on authentic Chinese cuisine. Currently, while working at an IT company, he explores newly opened Chinese restaurants, primarily in Tokyo.

 Asei

 The “Authentic Chinese Feast,” featuring dishes like “Whole Roasted Lamb” and limited-edition mapo tofu, is making waves after selling out in just one day following an announcement on social media. We explore why the casual atmosphere—where even a single person can enjoy dishes typically meant for large groups—and the chance to interact with the owner are driving young Japanese people wild.

Real Chinese Food Is Taking Japan by Storm—Inside the Banquet That Sold Out Overnight

 Tsuyoshi Kinugawa (Prime Minister Takaichi), Hiroyuki Komatsu (Mrs. Akie)

 A memorial service for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was held on July 11. Prime Minister Takaichi, who considers herself his “successor,” attended the event, but as for Mrs. Akie Abe, the former prime minister’s wife…

“Takaichi, Really?” Criticism Erupts Over Her Abe Speech—And Her Relationship With Akie Abe Raises Questions

 Sayuri Saito

 Behind the phenomenon of new-crop rice failing to drop in price despite a surplus lie the agricultural cooperatives’ reluctance to sell and the wall of vested interests held by politicians and bureaucrats. An expert provides a thorough explanation of the mechanics of government intervention, which aims to maintain high prices while ignoring consumers.

Japan’s Rice Prices Stay High Despite Ample Supply—What’s Really Behind the ¥2,000 Rice Problem?

 Masahiro Kawayanagi

 On July 3, while investigators from the local Aichi and Hyogo Prefectural Police maintained a security presence, five top executives of the Sumiyoshi-kai visited the headquarters of the Hirai-ikka, a second-tier affiliate of the 6th-generation Yamaguchi-gumi. We captured exclusive photos of the meeting between the two groups, which was attended in person by Shinobu Tsukasa, the leader of the 6th-generation Yamaguchi-gumi.

Yamaguchi-gumi Boss Shinobu Tsukasa Personally Joins Outreach to 10 Major Groups—Exclusive Photos

 Izumi Nakagawa

 “Is a reduced workweek a burden?” The “10-year career wall” faced by working women. In response to this concern, SS Pharmaceutical, a long-established pain reliever manufacturer, has launched an unprecedented “AI career counseling” service. What is the goal of this new strategy to address the “emotional pain” that medicine cannot cure?

Can AI Ease the Pain Medicine Can’t? Inside a Pharma Giant’s Bold New Career Support Venture

 A trial was held at the Tokyo District Court for a man who responded to a post on an online message board asking, “Will you sexually assault a woman?” and proceeded to sexually assault a woman and steal her money. The trial revealed the man’s numerous despicable acts.

Ex-Boyfriend Allegedly Hired a Man to Rape Her for ¥30,000—What the Court Revealed

 Kyodo News (1st photo) Kazuhiko Nakamura

 On July 6, “Zento Shin,” a credit card early payment processing company, filed for quasi-bankruptcy. The company had business relationships with over 200,000 merchants, primarily restaurants and nightlife establishments, and this bankruptcy has plunged its affiliated merchants nationwide into a state of emergency

Zen Tōshin’s Collapse Leaves Victims in Despair as ¥115 Billion Bankruptcy Triggers a Financial Nightmare

 Shimei Kurita (Nonfiction Writer)

 Kyodo News (Komae Crime Scene) / Shinji Hasuo (Watanabe, Kojima)

 Art Students, Sex Workers, Daughters of Prominent Families… The True Faces of the Female Fraudsters Who Rose to Power

 Even now, more than four years after the “Rufi Group” committed its widespread robbery spree, fraud and robberies involving “black-market part-time jobs” continue unabated. The group consisted of just under 20 women, and its boss, Yuki Watanabe, skillfully manipulated the women in his organization.

Inside the Luffy Group—The Women Behind the Criminal Network Linked to ¥6 Billion in Losses

 The shockingly sloppy and brutal details of a heinous crime in which seven people, including a popular child actor, were arrested

 In April 2024, the charred bodies of a couple who ran a restaurant in Ueno, Tokyo, were found in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The lay judge trial for defendants Sasaki and Hirayama was held at the Tokyo District Court. What came to light were details that were incredibly sloppy and inhumane.

Inside the Takarajima Couple Murder Trial: Alleged Organizer and Broker’s Role Comes Under Scrutiny

 Shinji Hasuo (Haneda Airport)

 [Playback] looks back at what this magazine reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This time, we focus on a terrorist attack that occurred in Bangladesh in July 2016, 10 years ago. It was a tragic incident in which seven Japanese nationals lost their lives.

[Flashback ’16] Ignoring Pleas for Help… The Brutal Scene of the “Dhaka Restaurant Terror Attack”

 The three major convenience store chains are locked in a fierce battle over chilled and retort-packaged curries. Which one has succeeded in developing the “ultimate curry” that’s so addictive you’ll want more after just one bite? Here, we introduce the ultimate curry selected by a panel of experts.

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