 Izumi Nakagawa

 Afro (1st and 2nd)

 TOWER MANSION FIRE: "Evacuation to the next door" is a lie. The partition board cannot be easily torn even if you kick it, and the ladder is too frightening to climb down... The only hope is "stairs"? The fire brigade comes empty-handed! Experts warn of the realities of disaster prevention that high-rise residents do not know, and that can make the difference between life and death.

Think You Can Just Escape to a Neighboring Unit? The Hard Truth About Tower Fires

 I can't wait to tell you about a certain kind of papa activity, Mr. Director-General.

 Recently, the number of "daddy daddies" has been increasing among women in their 40s and single mothers. The "allowance" market has also been changing as more people of all ages participate in the activity. What is happening in the papa-katsu world today?

Papa-Katsu Scene Shifts as Older Women and Single Mothers Join

 Ryo Sakamoto (Writer, former head of the Culture and Society Department of Tokyo Sports Newspaper)

 VCG/Afro

 Action star Jackie Chan has many fans in Japan. Here is what he had to say about Bruce Lee, his senior in his hometown and the originator of kung fu movies. ......

Jackie Chan Talks About His Feelings for Bruce Lee During Japan Visit Amid Hit Movie Release

 Aika Kanda

 [Serial No. 104] Me, Pink, and Sometimes New York

 How many points did I get this year? While I am truly thankful for the fulfilling days I had, in fact, there were many points that were deducted from my score. However, points deductions alone are not enough to motivate me for next year! I decided to look for special plus points...

How Will 2025 Score? Manaka Kanda Crunches the Numbers on Her Year

 Takero Yui

 The so-called "blue ticket," a traffic citation system for bicycles, will be introduced next April 1. This article introduces various violations that until now have been allowed with a warning or instruction from a police officer, except for malicious violations such as drunken driving.

New Road Traffic Law Coming Next Spring—Cyclists Subject to Fines

 Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department (1st photo)

 Up-and-coming journalists report the latest information on the "unsolved case"...the "main suspect" who continues to remain a mystery.

 In the Roppongi club attack, a man mistaken for a rival gang leader was beaten to death by several members of the Kanto Rengo. The main suspect, Shinichi Mitachi, has fled to the Philippines, and there has been no promising information on him until now. The investigation is now at a standstill.

Roppongi Club Incident — A Year-End Deep Dive Into the Case That Still Holds Dark Questions

 Shinsuke Sakai

 Kinuko Iwamoto, former president of Tokyo Women's Medical University (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), who was arrested in January 2013 and indicted in February of the same year on charges of breach of trust, has been sued by the university for a huge amount of damages. We report on the details of the lawsuit.

Tokyo Women’s Medical University Ex-Chairwoman Faces Huge Compensation Lawsuits Amid Ongoing Scandals

 Shinji Hasuo

 In June, NTV revealed the compliance problem of Taichi Kokubun. But now that Masahiro Matsuoka, Shigeru Johjima, and other former TOKIO members have complained to Nippon TV, the program is in danger of survival. ......

Masahiro Matsuoka Shock Sends Ripples Through Tetsuwan DASH—Nippon TV Worries About Impact on Itte Q!

 Takehiko Kohiyama (1st, 9th, 14th), Akira Kido (6th, 13th), Junsei Todoroki (7th), Yuri Adachi (8th), Kazuhiko Nakamura (10th)

 In '25, many female announcers retired from TV stations: Risa Unai and Yasumi Yoshihara from TBS, Yumi Nagahara from Fuji TV, and Yumi Nagashima from NHK. NHK's Anna Nakagawa, etc. Here is a look back at their days as station announcers.

A Look Back at Prominent Female Broadcasters Who Left Their Stations in 2025

 Ichiro Takatsuka

 One day when the cold weather was getting severe, actor Shuntaro Yanagi was seen at a high-brand overseas store facing the main street of a celebrity town in Tokyo. Smiling next to him was a beautiful model who had just announced her marriage.

Actor Shuntaro Yanagi Spotted Enjoying a Romantic Luxury Shopping Date with His Model Wife

 Akira Ikoma

 The history of image play is a cultural history of sexual customs. In this first installment of a series of articles, sex journalist Akira Ikoma explores the history of cosplay and image rooms, which have evolved along with changes in society. The birth of "Imekura" is introduced.

How Image Clubs Started—Without Sexual Services

 This is the second part of a series of articles by sex journalist Akira Ikoma on the history of cosplay and image play in the sex industry, as typified by the "Imekura" (sex clubs). The "image room" existed in Europe in the 19th century.

Did Love Hotels Begin in 19th-Century Britain? Inside the World of Image Rooms

 Masayoshi Katayama

 Japan-China relations are worsening due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comment that the two countries are in a state of existential crisis. When this magazine's reporter visits China, he finds ....... The first Sushiro restaurant to open in Shanghai was so popular that customers waited over three hours to get in. This is a "report from the field" that provides firsthand information that cannot be obtained in Japan.

Sushiro Lines Stretch Over 3 Hours in Shanghai Despite Tense Japan-China Relations

 Kyodo News

 The professional baseball "active player draft" was held on December 9. This year marked the fourth time this system, which began in 2022 with the aim of stimulating the transfer of players who lack opportunities to compete, but some have complained about the "limits of the system.

Leagues Consider Reforms as Draft Timing and Structure Face Backlash

 Tombstone Epitaph 2025] This year, too, a national star, a famous actor, and a famous host passed away. We bring you words of regret along with treasured photos.

 Toru Masuoka, who upon hearing the news of his passing said, "I expressed my gratitude and appreciation for all the kindnesses I have received over the years," recalling his memories of Tatsuya Nakadai. He said that he was going to play the role that Mr. Nakadai played on stage and that he wished he could have seen the show if it had come true.

Masuoka Pays Tribute to Mentor Nakadai, Expressing Longing and Respect

 AP/Afro

 The family and the baseball team reached a settlement in the case of the sudden death of a former starting pitcher for the Angels. The pitcher died in July 2007. It is believed that an overdose of drugs was the proximate cause. The drugs were given to the pitcher by the team's public relations department (......). The team's structure has been called into question.

Sudden Death of Angels Pitcher Sparks Court Battle Over Alleged PR Staff Drug Transfer

 Kazuhiko Nakamura (1st photo) Courtesy of the bereaved family (2nd photo)

 The "unsolved case"...spirited journalists report the latest information on the "main suspect" who continues to remain a mystery.

 The murders of the Miyazawa family of four, "If it had happened in this day and age...it would have taken less time to solve the case," says a person involved in the investigation, expressing his regret. The persistent investigation continues, but senior investigators are concerned that the murderers are already dead.

Inside the Unsolved Setagaya Family Killing — A Year-End Special Report

 Ukon Shima (Broadcaster, Video Producer)

 Kazuhiko Nakamura (1st photo)

 Keiko Kitagawa, who won the Best Actress award at the Hochi Film Awards for her role as a drug dealer in "Night Flower," has played the opposite of her image in NHK's morning drama "Bakebake," in which she plays the daughter of a family patriarch who falls in love with a "beggar. ......

Keiko Kitagawa Shines in Unexpected Roles, Showing the Fiery Passion Behind Her Talent

 Kumataro Arai

 In mid-December, filming for the January '26 drama "Reunion" was taking place in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, and we spotted the heroine Mao Inoue! Inoue never lost her serious expression between takes and seemed to be fully into the role.

Mao Inoue Spotted on Set of January Drama, Balancing Cheerful Smiles and Serious Focus

 Yuri Adachi (1st photo)

 People with gout are smart. This theory, which has been put forward by a well-known neuroscientist, has gout sufferers jumping up and down. But is it really true?　A doctor takes a sharp look at it.

Are Gout Patients Really Smarter? Doctor Explains the Truth Behind the Claim

 Showa no Zaito-chan, a manga artist, has been well-received for her report on her experience at a happening bar, "An Ordinary Office Lady Went to a Happening Bar. Why did she decide to draw a manga about a hap-bar? We asked her.

Manga Artist Showa no Zanto-chan Faces Surprising First Experience at a Happening Bar

 In early December, the New Year drama special "119 Emergency Call 2026 YOKOHAMA BLACKOUT" was being filmed in Yokohama Minato Mirai. The fresh smiles of Nana Seino and Ai Mikami were impressive.

Ai Mikami and Nana Seino Shine with Bright Smiles on 119 New Year Drama Set

 Norifumi Arakida (FRIDAY Digital Entertainment Desk)

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" is a national program on New Year's Eve. If Arashi, which has announced that it will end its activities next year, appears on the program, it would be the biggest highlight of the show. ......

Kouhaku and Countdown Concerts Highlight Challenges Facing Japan’s Television Industry

 Ryo Nakahira

 On December 12, a man who had persistently molested the same high school girl for 10 months was sentenced. What was the "judgment" handed down to the man who even chased after the victim, who ran away because he "looked like her?

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