 Yasuko Funamoto (FRIDAY photographer)

 In Yamaya, Tokyo, redevelopment projects have led to the construction of condominiums and the conversion of inns into guesthouses. The workers' culture and places of support are disappearing, and support groups are protesting that they are "eliminating the weak". Where will the former town of day laborers disappear to?

How the World of &#8220;Ashita no Joe’s&#8221; Sanya Has Been Redefined in Modern Tokyo

 Megumi Nakajima (Journalist)

 AFRO

 The number of Chinese salespeople at major Japanese life insurance companies is rapidly increasing. Most of them are doing well and contributing to the sales of their companies. On the other hand, there is a downside. ...... This is the second part of a series of articles by journalist Megumi Nakajima on the realities of the Chinese living in Japan.

Major Life Insurers See Surge in Chinese Employees — Success Stories Shadowed by Compliance Concerns

 The number of Chinese salespeople at major Japanese life insurance companies is rapidly increasing. Most of them have excellent grades and contribute to the sales of their companies. On the other hand, there is a downside. ...... Journalist Megumi Nakajima introduces "Part B" of "The Reality of Chinese in Japan.

Booming Numbers of Chinese Insurance Sales Staff Reshape Award Ceremonies and Office Composition

 Blank paper, green

 In the early hours of May 16, four men were attacked by about 10 men with weapons while walking in the streets of Kabukicho, Shinjuku. We asked those who happened to be at the scene to share their "horror stories. What is the background of the incident?

Predawn Assault Rocks Kabukicho: Witnesses Recall a Frightening Few Minutes of Chaos

 Hiroto Kato

 The EV buses used at the Osaka-Kansai Expo are about to meet an unexpected fate. The "graveyard of Expo buses" in Osaka City is now being dismantled. The new buses were moved to a recycling plant in Toyama Prefecture.

Osaka&#8217;s EV Bus Graveyard Enters Its Final Phase with Dismantling Now Underway

 Motoko Abekawa is a freelance writer working mainly on 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

 Courtesy of Oak House

 The number of middle-aged and older adults who are choosing to live in a share house after divorce or raising children is rapidly increasing. In addition to the peace of mind that someone will be there when they return home, the luxurious facilities and multi-generational interaction are also appealing. We take a closer look at the latest trends in adult share housing to relieve loneliness.

“There’s Always Someone at Home” — Why More People in Their 40s Are Choosing Shared Housing

 Blank Green

 On May 16, a bomb threat was made against the University of Tokyo's "May Festival," resulting in the cancellation of all events that afternoon. On that day, Mr. Kamiya, the representative of the Sangen-tei Party, was scheduled to give a lecture.

The Sohei Kamiya Speech Controversy That Brought UTokyo’s May Festival Events to a Halt

 Nakahira

 On May 12, a man was sentenced in Saitama District Court for sending obscene videos to 20 junior high and high school students. The trial also revealed that one of the victims was dead. What are the details of this despicable crime?

A Victim Among the Dead: Court Hands Down Verdict to Man Who, Under the Guise of “Work,” Induced Dozens of Junior and Senior High School Girls to Send Explicit Images

 Kyodo News

 A female employee of Nishi-Nippon City Bank caused a firestorm when she posted a video on a social networking service. The video she filmed showed customer information and other information. This kind of trouble, called "Seishain (regular employee) terrorism," has been occurring one after another. Experts have found a surprising link between this and the "seller's market" for job hunting.

Nishi-Nippon City Bank Faces Backlash After Internal Posts Expose Workplace Grievances

 Shinji Hasuo

 On May 12, the Takinogawa Police Department arrested a Chinese company employee on suspicion of indecent assault by attacking a woman in her 20s whom he followed, kissing her, and biting her lower lip, causing her injuries. The man's excuse is available at .......

Did the Suspect Act Repeatedly? Questions Arise Over His Explanation Following the Alleged Assault

 A man in his 50s was arrested by the Takinogawa Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of violating the New AV Act by entering false dates in his contract with a woman in her 30s. Why did the man have to falsify the date on the contract? We looked into the background of the case.

Man Allegedly Used False Contracts to Recruit Women for Adult Videos—Why the Faked Dates Matter

 Yasuko Funamoto (1st), Takeshi Kinugawa (2nd)

 The "National Power Study Group" will be launched to support Prime Minister Takaichi, who has a weak base within the party. Its lead promoter is Vice President Taro Aso, who has lined up Shinjiro Koizumi, Takayuki Kobayashi, and others who have their sights set on becoming the next prime minister. ......

Are They Truly in Takaichi’s Corner? The Calculations of Aso, Shinjiro, and Kobayashi

 Kei Kato

 The "Kyoto Elementary School Six Incident" shook the whole country. The father of the child, Yuki Adachi, was re-arrested on suspicion of murder. Crime journalist Taihei Ogawa, who also covered the case, talks about the suspect's motive for murder and other "mysteries.

The Kyoto Elementary School Sixth Grade Incident: The &#8220;Mystery&#8221; Remains Even After the Foster Father&#8217;s Murder&#8230; Crime Journalist Taihei Ogawa Discusses the &#8220;Other Side&#8221; of the Incident.

 Courtesy of Mr. Maruyama

 Maruyama Gonzales' new book, "Narcotrafico" (Kodansha, Ltd.), has been receiving a great deal of attention. Through interviews with drug cartels and methamphetamine factories in countries such as Colombia and Mexico, Gonzalez reveals the full extent of the drug business.

Contact with the &#8220;right-hand man&#8221; of a legendary drug lord..! Maruyama Gonzales&#8217; Dangerous side of the world&#8217;s drug business

 Hiroaki Fujiuchi (1st photo)

 In this issue of Playback, we take a look back at what we reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This time, we look back at the "Adachi Headless Murder" of 1996. The man arrested was a man who was acquitted of a murder case that once attracted the attention of the whole country.

Playback &#8217;96] A human head was found in a backyard&#8230; The &#8220;true face&#8221; of the fallen &#8220;false accusation hero&#8221; was shown to his neighbors.

 Yuuki Okukubo (freelance writer)

 The server business company "ClearSky" collected approximately 25 billion yen and lost contact with the victims. Using its friendship with politicians as a source of trust, numerous investors have suffered huge losses. Why were so many people deceived? The following is an introduction to the modus operandi of the company.

A company suspected of a &#8220;25 billion yen fraud&#8221; involving 5,000 victims showed &#8220;connections in the political world.

 Shinji Hasuo (Takaichi) and Afro (Tachibana)

 Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is being pursued by opposition parties and others for the "negative-campaign video" reported by the Weekly Bunshun. One of those who participated in the uproar is Takashi Tachibana. ......

I haven&#8217;t been excited in a long time! Takashi Tachibana, the core of the alleged &#8220;negative video&#8221; of Prime Minister Takaichi, joins from the detention center.

 On the afternoon of May 10, a police officer opened fire on a man who tried to flee after crashing his light truck into a police car in a residential area of Setagaya Ward. What in the world was going on at the scene? We report the whole story here.

Stop or I&#8217;ll shoot! A police officer opens fire&#8230; The whole scene of a &#8220;big catch&#8221; in a residential area in Setagaya Ward.

 It has been about two weeks since the arrest of Teruyuki Takabayashi, the suspect who attacked a group of high school students with a hammer and then fled the scene. Walking around the scene of the incident, I found that there are some problems that are peculiar to this area. ......

Loud Bikes, Neighborhood Frustrations, and the Fussa Hammer Incident

 Takehiko Kohiyama (not shown in screenshot)

 There is a new app that allows you to take a photo of an item you want to sell and get an instant valuation of the purchase. It sounds easier than a flea market app, but how powerful is it? We tried it out for ourselves.

Can You Really Sell Items Just by Taking a Photo? Testing the New “AI Instant Cash” App

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Kyodo News (1st photo), Afro (2nd photo)

 Japan's dependence on Middle East crude oil exceeds 90%. Prime Minister Takaichi is optimistic about the supply, but Japan is in danger of running out of naphtha, the "magic liquid" that is used as a raw material for all kinds of daily necessities. Experts warn of the worst-case scenario and the current state of alternative technologies.

Could Takaichi’s Optimism Be Risky? Japan Faces Growing Concerns Over Naphtha Supply

 Toru Uesaka

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Part 2] 42 languages instantly become Japanese! The newest translator will be on sale soon!

 Poketalk had been selling well, but with the new Corona, travel demand will disappear. However, demand was found in hospitals, warehouses, etc. for Corona treatment for those who do not speak English well enough in the US. The market now extends to the whole world.

The Dream of Instant Translation? PockeTalk’s CEO Says It’s Finally Here

 Part 1] This is the real "Honyaku Konyaku"! The latest AI Simultaneous Interpreter will be released soon!

 Pocket Talk X," which is scheduled to go on sale this year, is a stationary AI simultaneous interpretation device. Pocket Talk was introduced to the world by "Source Next," a company founded by Noriyuki Matsuda. From the very beginning of his independence, Matsuda's way of thinking was completely different from that of other companies.

Instantly Translating 42 Languages, Pocketalk Reaches a Long-Sought Milestone

 Financial planner and representative of Rapport Consulting Office. After graduating from Nagoya University with a degree in engineering, he worked for a securities company and an insurance agency before setting up his own business. He is a certified financial planning technician, CFP®, licensed real estate agent, and sauna and spa professional.

 Hiroki Takekuni

 Afro

 The savior of high prices!　We introduce 6 stocks such as SUKARAKU and DONKI that are directly related to the family budget and have excellent practicality. There is also an amazing stock with a maximum yield of over 32%. This is a smart way to protect your life by maximizing your savings with a small investment!

News

How the World of “Ashita no Joe’s” Sanya Has Been Redefined in Modern Tokyo

Major Life Insurers See Surge in Chinese Employees — Success Stories Shadowed by Compliance Concerns

Booming Numbers of Chinese Insurance Sales Staff Reshape Award Ceremonies and Office Composition

Predawn Assault Rocks Kabukicho: Witnesses Recall a Frightening Few Minutes of Chaos

Osaka’s EV Bus Graveyard Enters Its Final Phase with Dismantling Now Underway

“There’s Always Someone at Home” — Why More People in Their 40s Are Choosing Shared Housing

The Sohei Kamiya Speech Controversy That Brought UTokyo’s May Festival Events to a Halt

A Victim Among the Dead: Court Hands Down Verdict to Man Who, Under the Guise of “Work,” Induced Dozens of Junior and Senior High School Girls to Send Explicit Images

Nishi-Nippon City Bank Faces Backlash After Internal Posts Expose Workplace Grievances

Did the Suspect Act Repeatedly? Questions Arise Over His Explanation Following the Alleged Assault

Man Allegedly Used False Contracts to Recruit Women for Adult Videos—Why the Faked Dates Matter

Are They Truly in Takaichi’s Corner? The Calculations of Aso, Shinjiro, and Kobayashi

The Kyoto Elementary School Sixth Grade Incident: The “Mystery” Remains Even After the Foster Father’s Murder… Crime Journalist Taihei Ogawa Discusses the “Other Side” of the Incident.

Contact with the “right-hand man” of a legendary drug lord..! Maruyama Gonzales’ Dangerous side of the world’s drug business

Playback ’96] A human head was found in a backyard… The “true face” of the fallen “false accusation hero” was shown to his neighbors.

A company suspected of a “25 billion yen fraud” involving 5,000 victims showed “connections in the political world.

I haven’t been excited in a long time! Takashi Tachibana, the core of the alleged “negative video” of Prime Minister Takaichi, joins from the detention center.

Stop or I’ll shoot! A police officer opens fire… The whole scene of a “big catch” in a residential area in Setagaya Ward.

Loud Bikes, Neighborhood Frustrations, and the Fussa Hammer Incident

Can You Really Sell Items Just by Taking a Photo? Testing the New “AI Instant Cash” App

Could Takaichi’s Optimism Be Risky? Japan Faces Growing Concerns Over Naphtha Supply

The Dream of Instant Translation? PockeTalk’s CEO Says It’s Finally Here

Instantly Translating 42 Languages, Pocketalk Reaches a Long-Sought Milestone

Skylark, Don Quijote Among Six High-Yield June Stock Benefits as Inflation Pressures Persist