 Takuto Suzuki

 Sota Shima

 On March 29, 2008, the TV personality Ken Shimura passed away. Five years have passed since that day, when all of Japan was enveloped in grief, and another memorable place that connected Mr. Shimura with his fans has been lost.

Five Years After His Passing: Ken Shimura’s Former Home Demolished

 After ignoring administrative guidance for over 20 years, the president resigned in a blitz. The place to accept over 500 animals has yet to be decided. ......

 North Safari Sapporo, which has ignored administrative guidance for more than 20 years and continued to operate illegally, suddenly announced the resignation of the president of the management company and the closing of the park at the end of September. Furthermore, the company has yet to find a new home for the more than 500 animals it keeps at the park....

North Safari Sapporo to Shut Down by September—Future of Animals Left Uncertain Amid Illegal Operations

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 Masahiro Nakai retired from show business due to troubles with women. When the report by Fuji Television's third-party committee was made public and revealed the process of his sexual assault of women, there was shock at the viciousness of Amaru's actions. ......

Experts Warn of Potential Criminal Prosecution Despite Settlement in Third-Party Committee Report of Masahiro Nakai

 Daisuke Iwasaki

 Excavation research overseas involves everything from budget procurement to communication with local workers and other miscellaneous tasks. In Japan, archaeologists are busy writing papers and attending conferences. We asked Professor Aoyama of Ibaraki University about his daily life.

From Excavating Ancient Ruins Abroad to Juggling Meetings and Papers of The Grueling Daily Life of an Archaeologist

 Shinji Hasuo (Nakai) and Kazuhiko Nakamura (President Shimizu)

 The latest Fuji Television problem, stemming from Masahiro Nakai's trouble with women, was reported by a third-party committee on March 31, but it was Nakai Zura, a die-hard fan of Nakai, who bit into the report... ...

Nakai Masahiro&#8217;s Devoted Fans Take on Fuji TV Over Controversial Caption

 Yusuke Kondo (1st), Takayuki Ogouchi (2nd), Keisuke Nishi (3rd), Takahiro Kagawa (4th)

 On March 28, Ryoko Hirosue made her first TV appearance on a key station in two years. The next day, she participated in a music festival in Taiwan. However, we are concerned that we haven't heard anything about her main job as an actress. ......

Ryoko Hirosue&#8217;s TV Comeback: Is Her Future Bright or Is She in a Standby State?

 Takeshi Kinugawa (1st), Afro

 The search for the "leaker" within the party is intensifying in regard to Prime Minister Ishiba's handing out 100,000 yen in gift certificates to new Diet members who attended a meeting. How did a problem that could shake the administration come to light?

Ishiba&#8217;s Suspicion Grows in 10 Million Yen Gift Certificate Leak: Hunt for Leaker and Mastermind

 Nihonbashi Group*.

 Hiroyuki Komatsu (1st photo) Sankei Shimbun (2nd photo) Courtesy of Nihonbashi Group* (app photo)

  We will take a closer look at the "black organization" that makes a huge amount of money, said to be 5 billion yen a year, in Shinjuku's Kabukicho and other areas.

 A former member of "Natural," the largest and most powerful scouting group in Japan, confesses the contents of a "black market app" that he developed. And what is the inside story of the most dangerous "black organization" that makes huge sums of money?

The Full Picture of Dark Apps Used by Illegal Scout Natural from Police Officers&#8217; Photos to Arrest Manuals

 Sota Shima (Morita) Takahiro Kagawa (Reiwa Roman)

 Special Entertainment Project] Scoop on top-secret data compiled by major TV stations to be released.

 Masanori Hamada announces that he will take a temporary leave of absence due to health problems. We have obtained top-secret data on "potential viewer ratings," which TV stations use as an indicator when casting comedians, to find out who will be in charge of the variety show world without "Downtown!

Who Will Take Over the Variety Scene After Downtown? Ranking U-45 Comedians by Their Hidden Viewership Potential

 Nihonbashi Group

 The most dangerous "black organization" that makes a huge amount of money, said to be 5 billion yen a year, in Shinjuku's Kabukicho and other areas.

 A former member of "Natural," the largest and most powerful scouting group in Japan, confessed the contents of a "dark application" that he developed. What is the inside story of the "most dangerous black organization" that makes huge sums of money?

[Part 2] Inside the Illegal Scouting Group Natural: A Highly Organized Operation Rivalling Corporations

 The reputation of Shintaro Morimoto of SixTONES, who won the Best New Actor Award at the Japan Academy Awards, is said to be on the upswing among industry insiders. He is said to be an honest, cheerful, and well-loved character, just like the roles he plays. ......

SixTONES&#8217; Morimoto and Jesse Melt Staff Hearts with Their Lovable Goofiness

 Kojiro Yamada

 NTV's "Monday Night Live," hosted by Matsuko Deluxe and Shingo Murakami, aired a "fake" video that made it seem as if there is a "crow-eating culture" in China. The Chinese government is likely to react sensitively to the broadcast. ......

Media Missteps and International Tensions: Nippon TV Fabrication Scandal Echoes NHK’s Senkaku Controversy

 Sayuri Saito

 The self-sufficiency rate of rice is almost 100%. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) says on its website that rice is the key to food security for the Japanese people. However, due to rice shortages and rising prices, rice imports are beginning to increase. Is it possible to say that Japan is 100% self-sufficient in rice?

Despite Reserve Release Rice Prices Rise as Imports Surge and Expert Debunks 100% Self-Sufficiency

 A worker at the site sadly confesses, "We are working around the clock.

 As the opening of the "Osaka Kansai Expo" draws near, workers lament that they "will never make it in time." FRIDAY went to the site and found a shocking scene... "We're working around the clock," a worker heartbreakingly confessed.

Exclusive Sneak Peek at Osaka/Kansai Expo: Impossible to Complete in Time

 Blank Green

 A mahjong parlor in Ueno was busted in February, and it is said that high-rate mahjong parlors are secretly popular nowadays. The "condominium mahjong" that once brought in large sums of money has all but disappeared, but stores that offer high rates are said to be making a comeback, starting around the COVID-19 crisis.

High-Stakes Mahjong Shops Make a Comeback in Kabukicho After Apartment Mahjong Fades

 Toshio Ishikawa, entertainment reporter

 Kyodo News

 Masahiro Shinoda, the director of "Shochiku Nouvelle Vague" with Yoshishige Yoshida and Nagisa Oshima, has passed away. His wife is actress Shima Iwashita, and veteran entertainment reporter Toshio Ishikawa revealed the "inside story" of their marriage. ......

Veteran Reporter Reveals Shima Iwashita&#8217;s Confession About Director Masahiro Shinoda&#8217;s Proposal

 Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1962. He was a member of "Honjamaka," a comedy duo with Toshiaki Megumi, and was a member of "Ganso! Debuya" (TV TOKYO), as well as an actor and voice actor. Currently, he is the Friday MC of "Yoji Goji Days" (TV TOKYO), and is also active on YouTube and Instagram.

 Hidehiko Ishizuka

 Honjamaca" Hidehiko Ishizuka's "Mai~" Days vol.13 

 Hidehiko Ishizuka of "Honjamaka" talks about his "maiui~" days vol.13. Ishizuka talks about his debut as an actor at the age of 21, when he was given his first line. It was only one word, but he practiced it over and over until the day of the performance. ......?

Honjaka&#8217;s Eihiko Ishizuka Reflects on His First Line and Named Role at 21

 Kazuhiko NAKAMURA

 Fuji Television's third-party committee, which has been investigating the Masahiro Nakai issue, has released a shocking report. The contents of the report reveal the sloppy handling of the management team, and the unacceptable behavior of Mr. Nakai and his "close associates. ......

Shocking Revelations from Fuji TV&#8217;s Third-Party Report: Can the Company Recover?

 Ippei Hara

 Downtown," the reigning king of not only the comedy world but also the TV world, has disappeared. Hitoshi Matsumoto has had a woman scandal and Masanori Hamada is in poor health, but what are the TV stations waiting for their "return"? ......

Deadline Approaches as Popular Comedians Step in for Downtown DX MC Amid Growing Concerns

 Hollywood star Bill Murray, known as a big Cubs fan, showed up at the MLB season opener between the Dodgers and Cubs at the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. The day after the game, he showed up at the airport, but his expression was not cheerful. What was the reason?

Bill Murray Arrives in Japan for MLB Quickly Returns After Cubs&#8217; Losing Streak

 Tsuyoshi Shinjo, 53, the manager of Nippon Ham, suggested the possibility of using Fukuya Yamazaki, 32, as a "two-tool" pitcher in the interchange games. What is his intention?

Shinjo&#8217;s Surprising Move: Yamazaki Fukuya as Top Pitcher in Interleague Play

 Masahiro Kawayanagi, Tomoyuki Hanai, Kenji Natsume, Jun Mayumi

 In this issue of "Playback," we look back at what this magazine was reporting 30, 20, and 10 years ago. In this issue, we introduce a report on the site of the Aichi Expo 20 years ago to commemorate the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Exhaustion and Reflection: A Reporter’s Two-Day Experience at the Aichi Expo 2005

 White Paper Green

 The tragic stabbing of a woman during a live-streaming event in Shinjuku City is still fresh in our minds, but there are cases in which people go overboard when they "throw money" in a live-streaming event. Why do people go so far as to borrow money to give money? We interviewed the people involved.

Man Who Went Into Debt for Super Chats Reveals His Emotional Struggles

 Takuma Arimura

 On March 19, a plastic bag containing a piece of meat was found on a promenade along the Dojima River in Fukushima-ku, Osaka City. As a result of the autopsy, the piece of meat was found to be part of the body of a man of unknown age. We interviewed local residents at the site three days after the incident.

Latest Articles

Five Years After His Passing: Ken Shimura’s Former Home Demolished

North Safari Sapporo to Shut Down by September—Future of Animals Left Uncertain Amid Illegal Operations

Experts Warn of Potential Criminal Prosecution Despite Settlement in Third-Party Committee Report of Masahiro Nakai

From Excavating Ancient Ruins Abroad to Juggling Meetings and Papers of The Grueling Daily Life of an Archaeologist

Nakai Masahiro’s Devoted Fans Take on Fuji TV Over Controversial Caption

Ryoko Hirosue’s TV Comeback: Is Her Future Bright or Is She in a Standby State?

Ishiba’s Suspicion Grows in 10 Million Yen Gift Certificate Leak: Hunt for Leaker and Mastermind

The Full Picture of Dark Apps Used by Illegal Scout Natural from Police Officers’ Photos to Arrest Manuals

Who Will Take Over the Variety Scene After Downtown? Ranking U-45 Comedians by Their Hidden Viewership Potential

[Part 2] Inside the Illegal Scouting Group Natural: A Highly Organized Operation Rivalling Corporations

SixTONES’ Morimoto and Jesse Melt Staff Hearts with Their Lovable Goofiness

Media Missteps and International Tensions: Nippon TV Fabrication Scandal Echoes NHK’s Senkaku Controversy

Despite Reserve Release Rice Prices Rise as Imports Surge and Expert Debunks 100% Self-Sufficiency

Exclusive Sneak Peek at Osaka/Kansai Expo: Impossible to Complete in Time

High-Stakes Mahjong Shops Make a Comeback in Kabukicho After Apartment Mahjong Fades

Veteran Reporter Reveals Shima Iwashita’s Confession About Director Masahiro Shinoda’s Proposal

Honjaka’s Eihiko Ishizuka Reflects on His First Line and Named Role at 21

Shocking Revelations from Fuji TV’s Third-Party Report: Can the Company Recover?

Deadline Approaches as Popular Comedians Step in for Downtown DX MC Amid Growing Concerns

Bill Murray Arrives in Japan for MLB Quickly Returns After Cubs’ Losing Streak

Shinjo’s Surprising Move: Yamazaki Fukuya as Top Pitcher in Interleague Play

Exhaustion and Reflection: A Reporter’s Two-Day Experience at the Aichi Expo 2005

Man Who Went Into Debt for Super Chats Reveals His Emotional Struggles

Shocking Eyewitness Accounts from Neighbors at the Dojima River Body Discovery Scene in Osaka