 Shikama Aki

 Is it natural for people to refuse to take the seat they paid for?　Seat-swapping troubles are rapidly increasing on Shinkansen trains and in-flight. Behind these problems are the "lack of leeway" and "poverty" of the Japanese people... This article looks at the serious reality of the collapsing spirit of hospitality.

A complete change of common sense! Is it natural to refuse a seat you paid for? Japanese people&#8217;s lack of composure&#8221; was revealed in the &#8220;Switch seats&#8221; scandal.

 Takeshi Kinugawa

 The possibility that Prime Minister Takaichi will dissolve the Diet in such a blitz that even Deputy Governor Taro Aso, who was instrumental in forming the new government, is now on the verge of being enraged. What are the serious circumstances behind this hasty move? ......

[Breaking] Prime Minister Takaichi Pushes Solo Dissolution—Scandals Foreshadow Snap Election Without Cause

 Blank Green

 Takao, a popular tourist spot for foreign visitors, is even more crowded with Hatsumode visitors during the New Year's holiday. Last year, the manners of Chinese tourists were a problem, but what about this year? We spoke to some Chinese tourists there and found out that they have their own opinions.

“No More Troublemaking Tourists”—A New Year Hike Shows How Mount Takao Has Changed

 Nakahira

 Shinji Hasuo

 A man was arrested and sent to prison after he followed a woman and indecently assaulted her, causing her injuries. The woman resisted his advances and he fled, but a week later it was revealed that he had taken a surprising action.

Man in his 30s arrested for non-consensual sexual assault against a woman in her 20s

 A man, the president of an event company, was arrested on suspicion of having committed a lewd act on a 15-year-old junior high school girl and violating the Act against Unconsensual Sexual Intercourse, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The man also ran GACKT's fan club.

Company President Arrested After Starring in and Filming AV with Junior High Girls

 Noboru Hashimoto

 Hiroshi Kume, who served as an anchor for many programs, passed away. Former TV Asahi announcer Yasuma Matsui, who was in charge of sports for "News Station," looks back on his memories of Kume, whom he respected as "God.

“Don’t Let Yourself Be Targeted”—Hiroshi Kume’s Timeless Advice to Young Anchors

 Shinsuke Sakai

 On January 6, Chen Zhi, chairman of the Prince Group, one of Asia's largest "transnational criminal organizations," was arrested in Cambodia and extradited to China on January 7. This website reported on the group's activities in Japan last December.

Prince Group Chairman Arrested—Photos Reveal Extravagant Parties in Japan

 On January 8, a man who ran a company was murdered in an apartment in Omori, Tokyo. The suspect, who was arrested the next day, was the victim's subordinate and friend for 30 years. What happened between the two men, who used to be good friends, including traveling together?

“I Had to Make Him Pay”—Inside the Suspect’s Deadly Rage in the Ōmori Apartment Case

 On January 9, a 20-year-old man was arrested for driving his car after drinking alcohol and running a red light at speeds over 100 kilometers per hour, hitting and killing a 25-year-old man. Drunk driving accidents are not decreasing. A well-informed person sounds the alarm.

20-Year-Old Drunk Driver Kills Office Worker at 100+ km/h—Why He Slipped Through the Cracks

 Nakahira Ryo

 A former teacher who was arrested last June for indecent kidnapping and non-consensual indecency with two elementary school boys has been sentenced. The man, who said he "decided to atone for his crimes" while in custody, told the court the details of his crimes and his motive for becoming a teacher.

Ex-Teacher Confesses Grotesque Acts on Boy, Offered Him a Reward

 A teacher at a prestigious public girls' school in Chiba Prefecture was arrested. She touched a high school girl, whom she had never met, inside a bus. This is not the first time a man has been arrested. Here is the man's appalling argument immediately after his first arrest.

Elite School Teacher Re-Arrested for Indecent Acts on Bus, Targets High School Girl

 Kyodo News (1st and 2nd pictures)

 Tomiichi Murayama, the 81st Prime Minister of Japan, passed away in October 2013. The man's personality is described by former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who served as prime minister until October of last year. What was the true face of Murayama from Ishiba's point of view?

Revealed at Last—Shigeru Ishiba Reflects on Tomiichi Murayama’s Postwar Statement and His Quiet Character

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

 Early in the new year, there was a major move in the political world. Newspapers reported that Prime Minister Takaichi may dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election in January. What made Prime Minister Takaichi decide to dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election? ......

Why Takaichi Chose a Snap Election—The Roles of Aso, Losing MPs, and Komeito

 A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault after he followed a high school girl he found at a train station. Many women have experienced being followed by a stranger. We asked a well-informed person what to do in such cases.

Man Arrested for Following High School Girl Sparks Concern Over Everyday Stalkers

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Afro

 Fasting to give birth and maintain muscle strength even when bedridden...Hibernating bears defy medical conventional wisdom! What is "delayed implantation," in which a fertilized egg waits for six months? Professor Toshio Tsubota of Hokkaido University thoroughly explains the mysterious ecology and amazing mechanism.

May Mating and Pregnancy in Winter? Fasting births and &#8220;maintaining muscle strength while bedridden&#8221;&#8230;hibernating bears defy medical convention.

 Daisuke Iwasaki

 At a meeting held at the end of last year, Mr. Takaichi reportedly coldly dismissed an unsuccessful councilor who asked him to "dissolve the Diet while the approval rate is high. The Takaichi administration boasts of an exceptionally high approval rating, but will it take the initiative to dissolve the House of Representatives this year?

A Strong Word to the Failed Councilors&#8230; Why &#8220;Prime Minister Takaichi&#8221; wants to step forward for a &#8220;dissolution general election&#8221; against the backdrop of high approval ratings, but cannot do so.

 Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency

 With her younger brother, Prince Eugene, reaching the age of majority, the hurdle seems to have been lowered. ......

 Kako is energetically active. The year before last, she performed more than 130 official duties, and last year's activities exceeded that pace. With the coming-of-age of Princess Eugene, the hurdle seems to have been lowered, but... it is likely that the marriage will be announced in a blitz.

The second daughter of the Akishino family, Kako, has become even more beautiful, and the timing of her marriage is worrisome.

 In April, Shibuya Ward in Tokyo will require businesses to install trash cans as a measure against the ever-increasing amount of littering, but this has been criticized as "covering for the government. We interviewed local residents about the reality of the overflowing trash in Shibuya.

Who Should Handle Public Trash? Shibuya Ward and Residents Weigh In on Mandatory Trash Bin Installation

 Not a happy new year... The yen continues to weaken and prices rise, the U.S. president of Venezuela is in custody, and the Restoration Association is in danger of leaving the coalition.

 Prime Minister Takaichi was busy during the year-end and New Year's holidays as well, as he was pressed to respond to a phone call with the U.S. President and, in between, prepared for a press conference at the beginning of the year. While the approval rating of his cabinet has remained at an exceptionally high level since his inauguration, there are still many concerns that lie beneath the surface.

Despite Strong Approval Ratings, PM Takaichi Faces Three Key Political Challenges

 Masahiro Tsurugi/Afro (1st photo)

 Attorney Kikuji Minamide filed a criminal complaint against Dr. Toshiaki Yoshino, a dentist who parted company with Mr. Munei Kamiya, the leader of the "Sansei Party" and launched a new "Nippon Seishinkai," alleging that he violated the "Medical Practitioners Law. Mr. Yoshino's side counter-sued with "false accusations. We will provide details.

Former Advisor Files Criminal Complaint Against Nippon Seishinkai Leader Toshiaki Yoshino

 Shinji Hasuo (Yokoo suspect)

 On January 5, Yokoo, the suspect in the hit-and-run of 14 people in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, last November, was arrested for the third time on charges of murder and attempted murder. We went around his home to speak with his mother again.

Shocking Witness Accounts Emerge Regarding the Abnormal Adachi Hit-and-Run Suspect

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Former mayor of Ito, Maki Takubo, who is suspected of academic fraud, failed to win the re-election. ......

 The January 12 election for mayor of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture. The former mayor, Akira Ogawa, who was hit by an unprecedented scandal in which he was found to have been going to a love hotel with a married city official, was thought to be going up against some headwinds, but to his surprise, he is "sure to be re-elected.

Former Mayor Akira Ogawa Predicted to Win Big Despite Love Hotel Scandal

 Sayuri Saito

 Assets and stocks are "naked" to the government...The whole picture of the "targeting the wealthy" that the Takaichi administration is embarking on. What is the true nature of the "taxpayers' burden" that is being promoted by linking all accounts to the "My Number" system? A scenario of increased tax collection looming behind the reduction of the working-age population's burden.

How the Takaichi Administration Plans to Track Assets and Target High-Net-Worth Individuals

 Akira Ikoma

 The year 2013 was marked by a series of exposures of storefront sex establishments. At the end of the year, a popular soap in Kawasaki and a long-established health club in Osaka were exposed. A sex industry journalist with experience covering these establishments explains their services. The future of the store-based sex industry is envisioned.

News

A complete change of common sense! Is it natural to refuse a seat you paid for? Japanese people’s lack of composure” was revealed in the “Switch seats” scandal.