 Kyodo News / AFLO

 [Part 2] Adjust Your Water Heater Settings and Use Local Government Facilities… Above All, Staying Healthy Is What Matters Most!

 The hotter it gets, the higher your utility bills climb… but by adjusting your water heating system settings and using local government facilities when you’re out and about, you can get through the sweltering heat “on a budget” while taking care of your health! If you find the optimal solution, saving tens of thousands of yen over the course of a single summer isn’t just a dream.

Utility Bills Rise Along with Temperatures… Save on Medical Costs by Preventing Heat Stroke! Get Through the Extreme Heat “Inexpensively” with “Midsummer Money-Saving Tips”

 The scandal surrounding Ryoki Miyama and former Takarazuka actress Maria Hanano—allegations of a “mutual affair”—shows no signs of dying down. In Bunshun’s second report, emails exchanged between the two after they were confronted by reporters were leaked…

&#8220;This Pattern&#8230;&#8221; The &#8220;Divorce Flag&#8221; Looming Over Ryoki Miyama and Maria Hanano: &#8220;Similarities&#8221; to Becky and Ryoko Hirosue

 Shinji Hasuo (Photos 1–4)

 Suspect Sakurai, who made headlines for sewing shut the lips of a woman she lived with, has been re-arrested. She is suspected of coercing the victim into sewing her own lips shut on a different day from the previous incident. Why was she re-arrested this time? We asked a former investigator.

&#8220;Come on, hurry up&#8221;&#8230; The &#8220;reason&#8221; why the woman who forced the victim to sew her own lips shut with a needle and thread was re-arrested

 Kumatarō Arai

 We spotted Hokuto Matsumura of “SixTONES,” the lead actor in the currently airing drama *Confession: The Secret of the 25th Year*, on the set! Matsumura was acting out a scene where he was walking with a pained expression after injuring his lower back and shoulder—but even that looked cool.

Cool Even When He’s Clumsy! Hokuto Matsumura’s Scene-Stealing Performance Has Fans Hooked

 REX/Aflo

 The new season of the drama series “VIVANT” premiered on July 26. While Masato Sakai’s “mesmerizing performance” has been the talk of the town, another figure whose reputation within the industry is rising just as much as Sakai’s is Mana Ashida, who has been popular since her days as a child actress…

Mana Ashida Shows Her True Acting Power—Industry Insiders Compare Her to Masato Sakai

 Kyodo

 Could a nurse—often called an “angel in white”—have committed such a heinous crime? The person arrested for mixing feces into a hospitalized patient’s IV drip, leading to the patient’s death from multiple organ failure caused by sepsis, was, surprisingly, a nurse…

The Nurse Behind the IV Contamination Scandal: What Those Close to Miyuki Furukawa Say About Her

 Shirashi Midori

 Short videos are so popular that people can’t stop watching them, but a flood of content is circulating that consists of clips cut from overseas videos and mass-produced solely to rack up views. This has given rise to a “strange cycle” created by generative AI.

AI Creating for AI? Inside the Strange Cycle Emerging in Short Videos

 Takahiro Yokoi

 She’s causing a sensation in the latest issue of FRIDAY! We took an in-depth look at the overwhelming radiance of rising star Tamaki Sakuramoto

 No. 1 in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the National Sports Festival! We’ve Got the Exclusive Scoop on the First Swimsuit Photo Spread of Tamaki Sakuramoto—the “Real-Life Minami Asakura” Who’s Finally Emerged‼︎

National Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion Makes Her Swimsuit Debut—Meet the Real-Life Minami Asakura!

 Aika Kanda

 [Series No. 123] Me, Pink, and Sometimes NY

 I went to Nikko Toshogu Shrine with my mother. There’s the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu there, and for the first time in a long while, my mother and I had a conversation about which type of warlord we liked best in cuckoo haiku. It’s been almost a quarter-century since I entered the workforce… all my various experiences have led to new insights!

“Let It Sing—or Let It Be?” Aika Kanda’s Curious Cuckoo Question

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Interview with the Rapidly Rising “Yoshishige Yamamoto II”

 Hibiki Shinohara of the Saitama Seibu Lions was already highly regarded for his control, but in just over a year, he has rapidly developed into a powerhouse pitcher capable of reaching a top speed of 158 km/h. Furthermore, he has expanded his repertoire of pitches, making him worthy of the title “Yoshinobu Yamamoto II” in every respect!

[Full Story] Rising Lions Star Hibiki Shinohara Has a Unique Goal: “I Want to Be in Pro Yakyu Spirits”

 Kyodo News

 Although the Yakult Swallows have struggled with more losses than wins since the start of July and seem to be running out of steam, there are reports that they may sign a major contract, as if to “refuel” for the second half of the season.

Should Yakult Extend Kihada Now? Swallows Split Over Securing Next Season’s Closer

 Kenji Sugawara (1st and 2nd photos), Kumatarō Arai (3rd and 4th photos)

 We spotted Nozomi Sasaki filming scenes for the currently airing drama *Confession: The Secret of the 25th Year*! Although filming took place amid the sweltering heat, Sasaki looked cool and composed. She’s said to be playing a “straightforward” woman in this drama—but is this close to her “true self”?

Nozomi Sasaki Keeps Smiling Through the Heat as Her Husband Faces Trouble

 Hiroyuki Sasaki

 The other day, the nationwide assessed land values were announced, and among residential areas in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Higashi-Hatsushiro area near Hatsushiro Station in Nagareyama City posted the highest increase rate at 16.1%. What exactly is happening in this quiet residential neighborhood? A reporter brings you a field report.

A Quiet Chiba Neighborhood Has Japan’s Fastest-Rising Land Prices—Here’s What’s Driving the Surge

 Sayuri Saito

 Afro

 An unusual “space fund” has appeared under the new NISA program. However, experts are warning that “the key player, SpaceX, is missing, and the fund is actually composed of defense stocks.” We explain the pitfalls of theme-based funds, which carry high fees and the risk of buying at inflated prices.

Space Investing Comes to Japan’s New NISA—But Experts Say the Fund May Not Live Up to Its Name

 Shinji Hasuo

 A verdict will be handed down on July 31 to defendant Shunichiro Sato, a former member of the Japanese men’s national volleyball team who was arrested for marijuana possession while on a training camp. Although the defendant admitted to the charges during his initial hearing, experts point out that “there was one point of concern.”

[Verdict Aug. 31] Former Japan Volleyball Player Sato Admits Cannabis Possession—What Concerns Remain Over His Sentence?

 Financial Planner / Representative, Rapport Consulting Office.After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Nagoya University, he worked at a securities firm and an insurance agency before going independent. Through financial consultations and writing and supervising articles, he supports people in developing the ability to think for themselves and take action regarding their financial matters. He holds certifications as a Level 1 Financial Planning Specialist, CFP®, Real Estate Transaction Specialist, and Sauna & Spa Professional.

 Hiroki Takekuni

 We’ve carefully selected little-known, high-yield stocks from the August shareholder benefit offerings! We’ll introduce seven noteworthy stocks—including those with a total yield exceeding 10% and special-case stocks offering a one-time 10,000-yen QUO Card—that have either been newly introduced or expanded.

7 August Stocks With New or Expanded Shareholder Perks—and Yields Above 10%

 Financial Planner / Representative, Rapport Consulting Office.After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Nagoya University, he worked at a securities firm and an insurance agency before going independent. Through financial consultations and writing and supervising articles, he supports people in developing the ability to think for themselves and take action regarding their financial matters. He holds certifications as a Level 1 Financial Planning Specialist, CFP®, Real Estate Broker, and Sauna & Spa Professional.

 The Best Defense Against Rising Prices Is “Lifestyle Protection” Shareholder Perks! We’ve carefully selected ultra-popular stocks—including Aeon, Bic Camera, and Muji, with August record dates—that help ease the strain on household budgets. Let’s weather inflation by smartly using these perks to save on shopping and dining out!

Love Shopping? These Popular Japanese Stocks Offer Shareholder Perks You Can Actually Use

 Staff Members Reveal! Behind the Scenes of Weekly TV

 Chinatsu Wakatsuki (42) has launched her own show, *Sashihara Chinatsu*, and is making a comeback after a 10-year hiatus. Audrey’s Wakabayashi has also praised her, saying, “She’s just too good at talking,” and she’s now in high demand in the TV industry.

Chinatsu Wakatsuki Is Back in a Big Way—And Her Sharp Talk Has Finally Won Her a Show of Her Own

 Ryoji Shigeaki

 He has no memory of ever being tagged in tag as a child; instead, he used to catch wild rabbits in the nearby mountains…

 While Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ Yuki Shuto appears to be steadily building his career on the strength of his renowned speed, he says he has faced various struggles and adversities along the way. During the March 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), he felt a strong sense of crisis and worked to improve his batting skills.

He Was Too Fast to Catch as a Kid—Now SoftBank’s Ukyo Shuto Is Chasing 300 Career Stolen Bases

 Kojiro Yamada

 Actor Shotaro Mamiya was spotted in a shopping district near one of Tokyo’s most exclusive residential neighborhoods. Our magazine witnessed him enjoying a happy shopping trip with his wife, Ms. A, whom he announced his marriage to in ’24. It seems Ms. A’s presence is having a positive impact on his career as well…?

Shotaro Mamiya Spotted Shopping With His Wife—The Happy Couple Behind His Rise to Stardom

 The Reason Kozono and Tamura Were Overlooked Is…

 Hiroshima infielder Masaya Yano was reported to be on friendly terms with former Hiroshima player Ryutaro Hazuki—who was charged with using the controlled substance etomidate and received a suspended sentence—and defendant Ryosuke Takiguchi, who was arrested on suspicion of supplying the drug…

Zombie Cigarette Scandal Rocks the Hiroshima Carp—Masaya Yano’s Response Leaves Owner Hajime Matsuda Furious

 Ryoki Miyama and former Takarazuka actress Maria Hanano—whose reported affair came to light after they co-starred in a musical—have seen “a certain sentence” in their apology statement spark controversy within the industry, even as both agencies have acknowledged the fact of their secret meetings…

“Why Was This Even Included?” The One Line in Ryoki Miyama and Maria Kano’s Apology That Has Everyone Talking

 Ryo Nakahira

 A prison sentence has been finalized for a 29-year-old former child welfare agency employee who engaged in sexual acts with a girl under the age of 16 who was in the agency’s care. During the trial, the former employee repeatedly testified that he was “threatened” as the reason for the crime. What exactly happened at the facility?

“I Had Sex With My Teacher”: The Courtroom Testimony Behind a Child Welfare Worker’s Sexual Abuse of a Girl in His Care

 Kei Kato

 Kazuhide Kawaguchi, a former yakuza executive who gained attention in the documentary *Yakuza and the Constitution*, has been living as a law-abiding citizen for four years since dissolving his gang. He spoke about the ongoing restrictions and harassment he faces, his feelings toward his former gang members who have gone their separate ways, and his plans for the future.

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