 On July 17, the trial of a man who orchestrated a “proxy sexual assault” against his ex-girlfriend through an underground job took place at the Tokyo District Court. Although the man admitted to the charges, he lashed out at the victim, his ex-girlfriend. The content of his statement—which could be described as “madness”—was as follows...

A Shocking 10 Minutes in Court: Alleged Sexual-Assault Scheme Organizer Attacks the Victim’s Character

 Ryo Nakahira

 Shinji Hasuo

 In the early hours of July 20, a man who rammed his car into a convenience store and wandered around wielding a weapon was subdued by police. What kind of man was this individual, who had also set his own apartment building on fire? We visited the scene to investigate.

He Crashed Into a Convenience Store With a Knife and Golf Club—What Was He Like at Home?

 JMPA: Hiroyuki Komatsu (4th photo)

 He Rushed to Brazil for a Friend He Still Talks to Every Month… A Single, Memorable Exchange

 Teruo Iwamoto spoke about Hajime Moriyasu—who is like an older brother to him and with whom he still talks every month—from the realistic perspective of a former Japan national team player, drawing on their long-standing bond and trust. Although he had been careful not to contact Coach Moriyasu during the tournament, there was one memorable LINE message…

[Full Story] Teruo Iwamoto Reveals the Message Japan Coach Hajime Moriyasu Sent Before the Brazil World Cup Match

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 Seven prominent Kanto-based yakuza groups have gathered at the operational headquarters of the designated organized crime group, the Inagawa-kai. What exactly was the purpose of this gathering of top executives from each group? We delve into the inside story.

Seven of Kanto’s Most Notorious Yakuza Groups Gather in Shin-Yokohama—What Was Behind the Meeting?

 Kyodo News

 [Part 2] A Series of Eerie and Intense Shakes in Aomori, Iwate, and Yamanashi

 While a series of eerie and powerful tremors has been occurring in Aomori, Iwate, and Yamanashi… massive earthquakes don’t just happen in rural areas. Research even shows that underground shopping districts could be flooded in as little as 15 minutes! What preparations do people living in urban areas need to make to mitigate damage?

A Magnitude 6+ Earthquake Strikes Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka—What Would Happen?

 Kota Ishii (Nonfiction Writer)

 What Was the Downward Spiral of a Man Obsessed with a Live Streamer That He Described in Court?——

 What emerged from the trial and interviews was the bottomless loneliness of the people gathered on the app. For defendant Kenichi Takano, who was in dire straits, watching “Fuwacchi” was his only source of emotional solace. What was the downward spiral of Takano’s life—as told in court by a man who became obsessed with live streamers?

She Was Stabbed 55 Times at 22: The Full Story Behind the Takadanobaba Livestreamer Murder

 [Part 1] Earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 5- or higher are occurring at a rate exceeding last year’s

 Major earthquakes are currently occurring frequently across the country. Last year, there were 15 tremors with a seismic intensity of 5- or higher, but this year there have already been 13—a pace that exceeds last year’s total. It is said that the crust off the coast of Japan has been unstable since the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.

Earthquakes Are Striking Across Japan—What Would Happen If a Major Quake Hit Tokyo?

 Courtesy of Mr. Kaneko

 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. On the front lines, there is a Japanese man fighting as a volunteer in the Russian military. Daisaku Kaneko, who has served with the special forces unit “Akhmat Spetsnaz,” explained why he went to the battlefield

Why Is a Japanese Entrepreneur Fighting for Russia? He Explains Why He Went to the Front Lines

 Sota Shima

 The social media feud between Ryo-chan (40) of “Onigoe Tomahawk” and Ken Watanabe (53) of “Un-jash” finally seems to be showing signs of coming to an end. Just when it seemed the matter had been settled, those involved are now focusing on the actions of a certain big-name comedian who stepped in from the sidelines.

A Comedy Heavyweight Joins the Onigoe–Watabe SNS Feud—But What Was He Really Trying to Say?

 "Number_i" held their fan meeting, "Numbers Ur'26," in Osaka in July. What was their first-ever fan meeting has sparked unexpected controversy.

Number_i’s First Fan Meeting Descends Into Chaos—Fans Slam Arashi Song Choice as Merchandise Is Resold

 Kumatarō Arai

 Risa Naka, who stars in the currently airing drama *Tokyo Middle 30*, was filming in central Tokyo. The temperature that day was 34 degrees. Amid the sweltering heat, the staff worked frantically to shield Naka from the sun.

Riisa Naka Braves the Heat for Her New Drama—Behind the Scenes of Protect Your Head!

 The harassment scandal involving Jiro Sato and Ai Hashimoto erupted over the film *Detective with Separate Surnames*. While the story has already died down in the news, it’s still heating up online. The reason is…

Jiro Sato Blocks Someone—and Social Media Erupts Again Over the Ai Hashimoto Harassment Controversy

 Norifumi Arakida (FRIDAY Digital Entertainment Desk)

 Both are married with children. “Allegations of a double affair” have surfaced involving actor Ryoki Miyama (27). He has been spotted late at night at hotels in Tokyo and at his home with actress Maria Hanano (33), a former top female lead in the Takarazuka Revue’s Flower Troupe, with whom he co-stars in the musical *Crash Landing on You*...

Ryoki Miyama Faces Double Affair Allegations—What Does It Mean for His Marriage to Shuri?

 Keitaro Haga

 Mikio Sannomiya

 After more than twenty years in the entertainment industry, an actress who has consistently remained at the forefront chose the challenge of writing as her milestone… What thoughts lie hidden behind her carefully crafted words?

 With her 40th birthday just around the corner, Aimi Higa has published her first collection of essays! After more than twenty years in the entertainment industry, an actress who has consistently remained at the forefront chose the challenge of writing as her milestone. She says the reactions of her loved ones served as her birthday present.

Manami Higa Opens Up in Her First Essay Collection: “I Put My Most Important Self Into These Pages”

 FRIDAY Had Already Picked Up on the Unusual Developments! Where Is the “Detective with Separate Marital Surnames” Controversy, Which Is Causing Ripples, Headed?——

 In response to the harassment allegations reported by *Weekly Bunshun* on July 1, Sato issued a rebuttal in the July 9 issue of *Weekly Shincho*, causing further controversy… But on May 7—after the incident occurred—*FRIDAY* had already caught signs of something amiss on the set of *Detective with Separate Surnames*!

Jiro Sato and Ai Hashimoto Face Reports of Tension—What Photos From the Set Reveal

 Takeo Ketsu

 On July 14, a low-key birthday party for former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori was held at the Ginza steakhouse “Hirayama.” Gone was the imposing physique he had during his heyday as the “Don of the Seiwakai”; instead, he appeared emaciated, looking almost like a different person.

Former PM Yoshiro Mori Appears Drastically Thinner at Luxury Steakhouse—A Somber Birthday for the “Don of Seiwa-kai”

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 The Midsummer Cold Dessert Battle [Part 2]

 Three experts engage in a thorough debate over the “Exquisite Ice Creams” that will blow away this summer’s sweltering heat! Who will reign supreme in the “Frozen Desserts Category”—featuring long-running favorites like “Gari-Gari-Kun” and “Azuki Bar”—and the fiercely contested “Ice Milk & Lacto Ice Cream Category”?

Beat the Heat with Delicious Treats! The Ultimate “Exquisite Ice Cream” [Ice Milk &#038; Lacto Ice Cream Category / Frozen Dessert Category]

 The Midsummer Cold Treat Battle [Part 1]

 Which “exquisite ice cream” will beat the sweltering heat this summer with its taste and value? Three experts engage in a thorough debate! “MOW Vanilla,” “Haagen-Dazs Vanilla,” “Palm Chocolate”… Which product will reign supreme in the ice cream category?

The Best Ice Creams to Beat Japan’s Summer Heat—Expert Picks for Flavor and Value

 The Return of the Akamon Storm: A Historic Feat in the Tokyo Six Universities Spring League—Earning Points with Back-to-Back Wins Over Hosei University for the First Time in 98 Years

 The University of Tokyo Baseball Team thoroughly analyzes pitchers using VR goggles, securing back-to-back wins over Hosei in the Spring League for the first time in 98 years. Twenty student analysts are divided into groups to study opposing teams. They’re changing the conventions of college baseball with data-driven strategies.

Japan’s Top Student Analysts Are Giving the University of Tokyo Baseball Team a High-Tech Edge With VR

 Ichiro Takatsuka

 Behind the scenes of the “Soccer World Cup” she loves so dearly…

 Known as the biggest soccer fan among female TV announcers, TV Asahi’s Tsumugi Mitani—while all of Japan was caught up in the excitement of the CONCACAF World Cup—seems to have enjoyed a steamy time with a tall, handsome man resembling Shota Someya at an izakaya in Tokyo renowned for its delicious sake.

After a relationship spanning five and a half years… TV Asahi Announcer Tsumugi Mitani Spotted on a “Steamy” Date at an Izakaya with Her Boyfriend, With Whom She’s Essentially Living Together

 Shinji Hasuo (1st photo), Tsuyoshi Kinugawa (2nd and 3rd photos), Takao Kawakami (4th photo)

 A “Playback” series looking back at what this magazine reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This installment focuses on the Tokyo gubernatorial election held in July 2016. In conflict with the Tokyo chapter of her party and without organizational backing, we look back on Yuriko Koike’s campaign fought entirely on her own.

[Playback ’16] “Unpopular Yuriko”: The Confidence and “Chances of Winning” That Remained Unshaken Even in a Lonely Tokyo gubernatorial race

 The Japan National Rugby Team took on a new international tournament that began this year. After battling through a three-match series against powerhouse opponents, they finished with a record of one win and two losses. Here, we take a closer look at the “challenges and progress” revealed by these matches.

A Strong Impression at a Newly Established International Tournament… “Japan’s National Rugby Team”: Where They Stand Ahead of Next Year’s World Cup

 Works as a freelance writer primarily for online media. She is also involved in the production of books and corporate PR magazines. Without a specific area of expertise, she covers a wide range of topics that pique her interest, including history, comedy, health, beauty, travel, food, and elder care.

 Reporting and Text: Motiko Abegawa

 Afro

 Why Do “Kind People” Burn Out the Most in PTA Groups, Neighborhood Associations, and Fan Communities? A University of Tokyo professor exposes the true nature of “exploitation through a sense of fulfillment” and the “quagmire of good intentions” lurking in Reiwa-era communities. What are “weak ties,” the key to preventing this exploitation?

Can’t Bring Yourself to Say “I’m Quitting”… What Are “Weak Ties” and How Can They Help You Escape the “Quagmire of Good Intentions” Lurking in Communities in the Social Media Age?

 It has been one month since the finale of *Detective with Separate Surnames*. While the controversy has yet to die down, the fallout for Jiro Sato and Ai Hashimoto may linger longer than expected. This is because there is a “blacklist” of actors within the industry.

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