 AP/Afro

 Nanase Aikawa is known for her hit songs "Yumemiru shojo ja nai wa itai ni" and "Trouble Maker". Her 17-year-old son is participating in the Junon Boy Contest under his real name. ......

17-Year-Old Son of Nanase Aikawa Turns Heads in Junon Boy Contest

 Daisuke Iwasaki (2nd and 3rd photos)

 Yasuko Funamoto (1st photo)

 While the LDP is being called upon to "bring down Ishiba," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (68) says that "public opinion is on my side" and that he does not seem to be bothered by the situation. What is the reason for such a statement?

Amid Party Infighting and Calls to Step Down, Why PM Ishiba Refuses to Resign

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Courtesy of the Deaflympics Steering Committee

 The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will begin on November 15. There will be 21 events, including track and field, badminton, judo, and karate. How do deaf athletes compete differently from hearing athletes? We asked the Secretary General of the Games Management Committee.

Deaf Athletes at a Disadvantage? The Unexpected Challenges of the Deaflympics

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Classy but orthodox" "In this day and age, a very important factor in designing school uniforms is how they look when worn by a group of people. How attractive do they look when hundreds of people wear them and line up all at once? Classy.

Then vs. Now: How Japanese School Uniforms Went from Wild to Sophisticated

 C2/Yuji Arakawa Takehiko Kohiyama AFLO

 From the return of Shohei Otani after 663 days since the season opener, to his impressive home run, to his innocent expression....

 Shohei Otani and his wife Mamiko attended the annual MLB All-Star "Red Carpet Show. He was the hero of the once-a-year ball game, bathed in flashes of light. Here is a look back at the "best scenes" of Ohtani up to July!

Shohei Ohtani’s Most Unforgettable Moments from Early 2025

 Shinji Hasuo

 A Chinese student who gave cash to a high school girl and performed indecent acts on her at a hotel was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of child prostitution. The man stated that he did it because it was a good way to study Japanese, and that he frequented Toyoko. ......

Chinese Student’s Troubling Justification for High School Girl Solicitation in Tokyo

 Noriyuki Kanda

 Yoshiko Souishi

 Still at the top of her profession after 32 years, she has 10,000 "students" in Yoshiwara, Kanazien, and other areas throughout the country.

 NHK's historical drama "Belabo - Tsutaju Eika no Yume Banashi" has become the talk of the town. The drama depicts Yoshiwara and the culture of oiran (courtesans) in the Edo period in greater detail than previous dramas. In Fukuhara, Kobe, a colorful town that rivals Yoshiwara, there is a legendary soap operative who is called "sensei" (teacher) by the girls.

Legendary Fukuhara Soapland Star Reveals Her Secrets and Pride: Breaking Bad Habits to Protect the Girls

 Born in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. After graduating from university, she worked for a publishing company before taking her current position. She is currently reporting and writing mainly about sumo. Her books include "Yokozuna" and "Dorji: The True Face of Yokozuna Asashoryu" (both published by Kodansha), "Interview the Ozeki," "Tsuneishi Terao," and "Sumo: The Great Rikishi of Memories" (both published by Futabasha).

 Hazuki Takeda (nonfiction writer)

 Kei Kato

 On August 3, the Grand Sumo Tournament "Expo '70 Tournament" was held in Osaka. Nonfiction writer Hazuki Takeda interviewed all the famous sumo wrestlers who were the talk of the town!　She also talks to them about their unexpected impressions of the Expo and their "true feelings," which are normally unavailable to the public. Here are their true voices.

“Gundam All the Way!” — Top Sumo Wrestlers Speak at Osaka-Kansai Expo Tournament

 Shigeru Nekota

 The Osaka Expo '70 Kansai has come to the end of its run. Gourmet writer Shigeru Nekota, who has visited the Expo more than 10 times to cover the event, introduces some of the best deals known only to those who went to the event.

Kansai Expo Free Hacks Vol.2 — Insider Secrets from a Gourmet Writer Who’s Been There 10+ Times

 Hatsuki Takeda (Nonfiction writer)

 On August 3, the Grand Sumo Tournament was held in Osaka. Nonfiction writer Hazuki Takeda interviewed all the famous sumo wrestlers who were the talk of the town!　Here are the rikishi's voices, including their unexpected impressions of the Expo and summaries of the Nagoya tournament.

Mitakeumi, Ōhō, and Takayasu Relish the Expo Basho—Even Craving German Sausages!

 Shu Nishihara

 First starring role in the summer drama series "Good Evening, It's the Asayama Family! What did you feel empathy for a role that is completely different from your own?

 What was it like to play a role completely different from your own? Nakamura Anne plays the role of a "snappy wife" in the drama "Good Evening, It's the Asayama Family," which will start airing in July. She looks back on her 10 years of acting and how she has gone from being conscious of "I have to say something" to "now I have more of a "pull" attitude".

Anne Nakamura’s Secret to Survival in Showbiz? Just Step Back!

 On July 19, actress Suzu Hirose cheered on the Japanese men's national basketball team at their training game. She is a big fan of basketball and was a member of the team until she was in the third grade of junior high school.

No One Sparkled More Than Suzu Hirose—Actress Goes All Out Supporting Men’s Basketball

 Courtesy of Mr. Shimizu

 The mayor of Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has been attracting attention for his fraudulent academic background. The former mayor of Kamagaya City in Chiba Prefecture talks about the backstage of the city government in a vivid manner based on his own personal experiences. This is a true confession of a man whose wife and daughter were at the mercy of the city government.

Life at City Hall: Former Kamagaya Mayor Shimizu Speaks on Stress, Scandals, and Sacrifice

 Courtesy of Mr. Shimizu, Kazuhiko Nakamura

 The political entity of a municipality is attracting attention due to the issue of the academic background of the mayor of Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The former mayor of Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture, tells his own story about the inner workings of the city government in this true confession from a man who served as mayor for five terms and 19 years.

Inside City Politics: Ex-Mayor Comments on Itō’s Education Controversy and Shohei Ohtani Encounter

 Sayuri Saito

 Afro

 There has been a series of bear attacks on people in residential areas. In Hokkaido, a newspaper delivery man was attacked and killed by a brown bear on the 12th of last month. DNA analysis of his body hair revealed that it was the same male bear that attacked a woman in her 70s in the same town in 2009.

Increasing Carnivorous Behavior in Bears Raises Concerns About Human Safety

 Akira Ikoma

 History of Amendments to the Entertainment Establishments Control Law: (1) Part 2

 This is a series of articles tracing the changes over the past 77 years of the Entertainment Establishments Control Law. When it was first enacted, the Entertainment Establishments Control Law covered entertainment such as eating and drinking in bars and cafes. However, after prostitution was banned, the law became a law regulating "sex services" that emerged one after another.

The 1966 Entertainment Law Revision That First Targeted Japan’s Sex Businesses

 Takeshi Kinugawa

 Sanae Takaichi is virtually the spearhead of the campaign to remove Ishiba from office, and she is now in the running for president. She is seeking to rally the right wing of the LDP to restore her party's power, but the key to her success will be her visit to Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, the anniversary of the end of the war. ......

Prospects for Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Dim as Takaichi Faces Party Confusion

 History of the "Revision" of the Entertainment Establishments Control Law: (1) Part 1

 The revised Entertainment Establishments Control Law, which came into effect in June, has caused confusion in the adult entertainment industry. 38 amendments have been made to the law, which was enacted in 1948. A sex industry journalist looks into the history of this law, which has changed according to the needs of the times.

Gambling, Dancing, Drinking—What the Entertainment Law Once TargetedGambling, Dancing, Drinking—What the Entertainment Law Once Targeted

 Toshikatsu Tanaka (1st photo: Nikaido), Yasuko Sakaguchi (1st photo: Kazu Laser, 2nd and 3rd photos), Takao Kawakami (4th and 7th photos), Sota Shima (5th, 6th and 8th photos), Takehiko Kobiyama

 On August 10, Fumi Nikaido and Kazu Laser of "Maple Chogokin" announced their marriage on their respective X newsletters. Nikaido is known as a "woman in love," and "FRIDAY" has reported on her love affairs. Let's take a look back.

Fumi Nikaido Marries Kazlaser — The Talented Actress Finds Her Genius Match

 Courtesy of Kumiko Kato (1st and 2nd photos)

 Buyers and employees angrily complain: "We paid money for the car, but it was never delivered! "I paid money for a car, but it wasn't delivered!" "I don't get paid!"

 A used car sales chain "Kernel" suddenly closes all of its stores, 250 cars are unpaid for by buyers, a man pays 440,000 yen but his car "disappears," employees are in trouble because their salaries have not been paid... The president, who has gone into hiding, has tens of millions of yen in on-again, off-again money...? We follow up on the shocking reality of the situation. Re

250 cars and the CEO disappeared? Harmful Trouble Occurring at Used Car Sales Company &#8220;Kernel

 On August 1, Osamu Sorimachi, former anchor of BS Fuji's "Prime News," launched his YouTube channel. Will Sorimachi be able to revive his program after being barred from it due to past harassment in a series of problems at Fuji?

Ousted from Fuji for Harassment&#8230;Osamu Sorimachi&#8217;s &#8220;Video Reputation&#8221; Revived on YouTube Channel

 While "National Treasure" and "Blade of the Demon" have produced hit movies lasting around three hours, there is a concern about the toilet problem. Along with Daifuku, Bon Temps candy is being discussed on the Internet as a food that suppresses the urge to urinate. A doctor explains its true meaning.

Urologists take notice! Is it true that the ingredients in Bontan Candy make movies &#038; plays over 3 hours long &#8220;toilet-free&#8221;?

 Molly Riley/White House/ZUMA Press/Afro

 Akamasa Akazawa, Minister of State for Economic Revitalization, negotiated the reduction of tariff rates on automobiles and other goods from 27.5% to 15%. His true face and reputation, which he professes, "My hobby is stonewalling," are ......

Akazawa, Minister of State for Economic Revitalization, &#8220;came to the U.S. without an appointment&#8221; was effective&#8230; &#8220;True Reputation&#8221; in Nagata-cho.

 Yutaka Asai (2nd photo)

 In this issue of Playback, we look back at what we reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. The "Osaka Suicide Site Serial Murder" was uncovered in August 2005. What was the "abnormal sexual habit" of the man who took advantage of three men and women to satisfy his sexual urges?

Playback &#8217;05] &#8220;Osaka Suicide Site Serial Murder&#8221; killer also wrote a &#8220;novel&#8221; about his &#8220;sexual proclivities&#8221;.

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