 Shigeru Nekota

 The Osaka Expo in Kansai is thriving even more in the final stages of the Expo. Lining up at the pavilions in the heat requires stamina, and the restaurants are packed ...... even if you want to fill your stomach. So, here are some quick and easy gourmet meals that you can enjoy without standing in line!

Eat Smart at the Kansai Expo! Cheap &#038; Tasty Meals Under 1,000 Yen Without the Wait

 An unprecedented educational problem has been uncovered in South Korea, committed by the parents and former homeroom teacher of a high school girl who had been the top student in her grade for two and a half years. The parents of a high school girl who had been the top student in her class for two and a half years and her former homeroom teacher had illegally obtained exam questions and memorized the answers. Experts point out the problems of overheated examinations that could shake Korean society.

Mother, Teacher Allegedly Involved as Korean High School Star Faces Exam Scandal

 Takuma Arimura

 On July 31, President Trump signed an executive order setting new rates for "reciprocal tariffs" on imports, which are scheduled to take effect on August 7. The tariffs against Japan were finalized at 15%. The U.S. will request that the government introduce a "reimportation...

15% Tariff on Japan Brings Both Opportunity and Old Controversies Back

 YUTAKA/Afro

 The Ishiba administration suffered three consecutive defeats in last year's lower house election, the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election, and the upper house election. The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper published an article announcing that "Ishiba will step down" at the end of July. ......

Yomiuri Shimbun’s False Report on Ishiba’s Resignation: Why Taro Aso Couldn’t Prevent It

 Shinji Hasuo

 A gangster was arrested for attempting to defraud people out of their new Corona benefits by creating false documents. A number of cases of fraudulent receipt of benefits related to the new Corona occurred in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. What is the "mechanism" that made it so easy for anyone to receive benefits?

Gang Members Exploit Trust to Scam COVID-19 Relief Funds

 Tomoyuki Hanai

 The top leaders of Yamaguchigumi VI and Sumiyoshi-kai, two representative organizations of the world, met in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, to discuss the purpose of their meeting on August 27, a full decade after the split with Kobe Yamaguchigumi. Let's take a closer look at the inside story.

Inside the Secret Summit Between Japan’s Two Yakuza Giants

 Kyodo News

 It was widely reported on July 30 that the land of the former Unification Church headquarters in Shoto, Shibuya-ku was provisionally seized on July 18. In fact, an affiliated facility located right in front of it was also sued by a real estate company for eviction.

Eviction Battle Against Shibuya Unification Church Sparks Potential Domino Effect

 Takero Yui (1st and 2nd pictures)

 This issue of Playback looks back at what this magazine reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. The "Supernampei Incident" of July 30, 1995, in which three women were shot to death, foreshadowed the arrival of a gun society in Japan.

[Playback ’95] The Super Nanpei Case: Three Women Executed in Minutes by a Cold-Blooded Killer

 After working as a money writer, financial planner, and market analyst for a securities company, she became independent in 1996. She writes articles on finance and asset management mainly for business and economic magazines. Author of "A Textbook for the First Year of Robo-Advisor Investing" and "Understanding with Rich Illustrations! The book is entitled "Cashless Payments: How to Benefit from Cashless Payments". X (former Twitter)→@1847mattsuu

 Kenji Matsuoka

 I have learned the concept of risk-return through investing in stocks, and I have started to think more deeply about money, so I rarely make impulsive purchases anymore," says Anri Sugihara, a TV personality, businesswoman, and private investor.

Former Gravure Idol Anri Sugihara Explains Why She Actively Invests in Bitcoin

 On July 28, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest of the president of a Tokyo-based consulting firm and three others on suspicion of fraud. What were their ingenious methods for "thawing" frozen bank accounts that had been used for fraud and other crimes?

How a Consulting Firm’s President Unfroze Fraudsters’ Accounts to Launder Money

 After working as a money writer, financial planner, and market analyst for a securities company, she became independent in 1996. He writes articles on finance and asset management mainly for business and economic magazines. Author of "A Textbook for the First Year of Robo-Advisor Investing" and "Understanding with Rich Illustrations! The Book of Cashless Payments and the Book of Absolute Advantages. X (former Twitter)→@1847mattsuu

 The term "billionaire" refers to investors who have amassed assets in the hundreds of millions. In this issue, we talk with Anri Sugihara, a TV personality, businesswoman, and private investor. We asked her the secret of how she became a "billionaire" with an orthodox investment style that anyone can do.

From Lehman Shock to Millionaire Investor: Anri Sugihara’s Keys to Staying Grounded

 After working as a money writer, financial planner, and market analyst for a securities company, Matsuoka became independent in 1996. He writes articles on finance and asset management mainly for business and economic magazines. Author of "A Textbook for the First Year of Robo-Advisor Investing" and "Understanding with Rich Illustrations! The Book of Cashless Payments and the Book of Absolute Advantages. X (former Twitter)→@1847mattsuu

 According to a survey, this summer's average bonus for all industries is 862,928 yen. What will the "billionaires" do with this amount of money? We asked them about the outlook for the stock market after the defeat of the ruling party in the House of Councillors and the Trump tariff agreement.

Trump tariffs, the Upper House election&#8230; What will the &#8220;billionaires&#8221; buy with their bonuses this summer for &#8220;new investments&#8221;?

 Kei Kato

 Crowds gathered at the large roof ring and water supply spots.

 A number of emergency medical evacuations due to heat stroke have occurred at the Osaka Expo, and a FRIDAY reporter reports on the actual conditions at the Expo, including a large roof ring that turned into the "world's tallest parasol" in the 35°C heat wave and huge lines at the water supply spots.

Report from the Expo] The Expo is now in its final stages! What is the secret to enjoying the scorching Osaka Expo, despite the many emergency medical evacuations due to heat stroke?

 Kyodo News Agency

 A female South Korean ministerial candidate has withdrawn from the cabinet. She was accused of harassment. In the five years since her first election, 46 aides have resigned. Experts report in detail on the allegations, including an e-mail demanding that a broken "toilet bowl" be repaired and a severe reprimand.

Fix the toilet bowl!&#8221; &#8220;I am a member of the National Assembly! &#8230;46 people were dismissed from office in 5 years&#8230; &#8220;Korean Female Ministerial Candidate&#8221; Allegations of Extreme Power Harassment.

 A man, also a postal worker, was arrested and indicted at home for sending used contraceptives and other items to a woman working at a post office in Osaka Prefecture. Subsequent investigations revealed the man's astonishing array of other crimes.

Mailing Used Contraceptives to Workplace&#8230; Former Post Office Employee Drives Victim to PTSD: &#8220;Unprecedented Sex Crime&#8221;

 Hideki Asai

 Courtesy of Carstay

 Lawson, a major convenience store chain, has made headlines by announcing that it will allow customers to "stay overnight in their cars" in the parking lots of its stores. A person in charge of a company that provides a sharing service for overnight stay spots says, "Japan is an environment where it is easy to stay overnight in a car.

Lawson&#8217;s approach to &#8220;Hotels and inns are expensive&#8230;&#8221; &#8220;Japan is an environment where people can easily stay in their cars! Japan is a good place to stay in a car&#8221;

 Yasuko Funamoto

 The extraordinary Diet session convened on August 1. At the July 28 meeting of both houses of the Diet, demands for Prime Minister Ishiba's resignation were voiced even within his own party. We take a look at the latest developments.

The LDP&#8217;s &#8220;Special Circumstances&#8221; Allow Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Declare He Will Continue to Preside Over the Diet

 Afro (2nd)

 Fans were shocked by Tanabe's sudden confession. But doctors say that the removal of an ovarian tumor can happen to anyone. What can be done to protect the "silent organ," the ovaries?

Boru Juku&#8217;s Chika Tanabe underwent surgery to remove an ovarian tumor, a &#8220;crisis that quietly creeps up on everyone.

 Nakahira Ryo

 The fourth trial of a defendant who indecently assaulted two junior high school girls by giving them 4,000 yen last December was held, and one of the victims was questioned as a witness. The whole story of the crime was told in the witness interview.

Ex-Prime Minister’s Office Official on Trial for Non-Consensual Sex with Two Girls: Victim Details “4,000 Yen Compensated Dating”

 On July 25, a man in his 50s stabbed a co-worker to death at a sushi restaurant before it opened. The man stated that he was "angry" at the victim. Another incident occurred in Ikebukuro on July 1, when another man in his 50s stabbed a coworker to death. ......

Sushi Chef Kills Coworker with Such Force Knife Snapped—Driven by Long-Held Rage

 Takeshi Kinugawa (Takaichi) and Shinji Hamasaki (Ishiba)

 Prime Minister Ishiba has lost the Upper House election, the Lower House election last year, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election this summer, but he seems to have no intention of relinquishing his position as prime minister. There is a deep reason for this. ......

The Prime Minister’s Calm Amid the Ishiba Downfall and the Shadow of Takaichi Risk

 On July 26, two more men were arrested in a case in which seven men were arrested on suspicion of confining and assaulting a business partner, a man in his 30s, for three months. What were the details of the suspects' crimes, which also drove the victim's mind and body to the brink?

Three Months of Brutal Captivity: The Torment of a Male Victim

 Masayuki Kikuchi

 The deployment of the V-22 Osprey began in July at the Saga Garrison. Why was it deployed despite the strong opposition of the local residents? We explain the reasons.

Facing the Rising Threat from China: A Close-Up Look at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Powerful V-22 Osprey

 The third trial of Kaiwei Konishi, a former representative of Japan's national table tennis team, who was indicted for indecent assault against a student at a table tennis school and her mother, was held at the Saitama District Court. In court, the woman, who was a junior high school student at the time, described the horrific sexual abuse she suffered.

News

Eat Smart at the Kansai Expo! Cheap & Tasty Meals Under 1,000 Yen Without the Wait

Mother, Teacher Allegedly Involved as Korean High School Star Faces Exam Scandal

15% Tariff on Japan Brings Both Opportunity and Old Controversies Back

Yomiuri Shimbun’s False Report on Ishiba’s Resignation: Why Taro Aso Couldn’t Prevent It

Gang Members Exploit Trust to Scam COVID-19 Relief Funds

Inside the Secret Summit Between Japan’s Two Yakuza Giants

Eviction Battle Against Shibuya Unification Church Sparks Potential Domino Effect

[Playback ’95] The Super Nanpei Case: Three Women Executed in Minutes by a Cold-Blooded Killer

Former Gravure Idol Anri Sugihara Explains Why She Actively Invests in Bitcoin

How a Consulting Firm’s President Unfroze Fraudsters’ Accounts to Launder Money

From Lehman Shock to Millionaire Investor: Anri Sugihara’s Keys to Staying Grounded

Trump tariffs, the Upper House election… What will the “billionaires” buy with their bonuses this summer for “new investments”?

Report from the Expo] The Expo is now in its final stages! What is the secret to enjoying the scorching Osaka Expo, despite the many emergency medical evacuations due to heat stroke?

Fix the toilet bowl!” “I am a member of the National Assembly! …46 people were dismissed from office in 5 years… “Korean Female Ministerial Candidate” Allegations of Extreme Power Harassment.

Mailing Used Contraceptives to Workplace… Former Post Office Employee Drives Victim to PTSD: “Unprecedented Sex Crime”

Lawson’s approach to “Hotels and inns are expensive…” “Japan is an environment where people can easily stay in their cars! Japan is a good place to stay in a car”

The LDP’s “Special Circumstances” Allow Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Declare He Will Continue to Preside Over the Diet

Boru Juku’s Chika Tanabe underwent surgery to remove an ovarian tumor, a “crisis that quietly creeps up on everyone.

Ex-Prime Minister’s Office Official on Trial for Non-Consensual Sex with Two Girls: Victim Details “4,000 Yen Compensated Dating”

Sushi Chef Kills Coworker with Such Force Knife Snapped—Driven by Long-Held Rage

The Prime Minister’s Calm Amid the Ishiba Downfall and the Shadow of Takaichi Risk

Three Months of Brutal Captivity: The Torment of a Male Victim

Facing the Rising Threat from China: A Close-Up Look at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Powerful V-22 Osprey

Ex-Table Tennis Japan Rep Accused of Disturbing Acts Against Middle School Victim