 Ryo Nakahira

 A 75-year-old former teacher has been indicted on charges including photographing sexual poses and non-consensual indecency for acts such as photographing four young boys in the nude. What did this man, who has a prior criminal record, say in court about the things he “definitely did not do”?

&#8220;Just Their Natural Selves&#8221;—The Disturbing Courtroom Defense of a 75-Year-Old Former Teacher

 Sari Yoshizawa

 Crimes committed by “anonymous, fluid criminal groups” show no signs of stopping. Now, even scams targeting influencers through sponsored deals have emerged. Sari Yoshizawa, an active gravure idol and victim of such a scam, explains the detailed tactics involved.

The Influencer Trap: How Fake Sponsorship Offers Lure Creators With Promises of Payment Based on Follower Counts

 Aika Kanda

 [Series No. 121] Me, Pink, and Sometimes New York

 Sixteen years ago, during the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, I assisted with a production segment where a senior announcer provided live weather updates from Cape Erimo to accompany Shinichi Mori’s performance of “Cape Erimo.”After visiting Cape Erimo in person, I reflected on the meaning and weight of the words I should convey as an announcer.

Freelance Announcer Aika Kanda — &#8220;Erimo Cape After 16 Years of Waiting&#8221;

 Yusuke Kondo

 Just when it seemed like *Bunshun* had released a follow-up report, a rival magazine published an interview article… There’s still no end in sight for the harassment scandal involving Jiro Sato and Ai Hashimoto. As we delve into the details behind the scenes…

Why Ai Hashimoto Chose to Speak Out About Her Past Harassment Experience Despite Facing Mixed Reactions

 SoftBank, Lotte, Kufu Hayate… and Then to the Mariners: The First NPB-Trained Position Player to Become a Major League Outfield Defense and Baserunning Coach!

 For Shuhei Fukuda, the first position player from NPB to become an MLB coach, the United States was the first stop on his journey to deepen his understanding of baseball. He learned techniques from the legendary Ichiro and now passes on the defensive and baserunning skills he honed, supporting the players as they strive to improve.

[Personal Account] Shuhei Fukuda Reveals His &#8220;Sweat and Tears&#8221; MLB Challenge After Years as a Defensive and Speed Specialist

 Kumatarō Arai (1st and 2nd photos), Ken Sugawara

 Yuki Uchida stars in the new Thursday drama “Last Note.” I spotted her on location in mid-June. In a park at night, she exuded an alluring aura. A few days later, I spotted her filming with Takuto Teranishi, her co-star in “timelesz.”

Yuki Uchida Stuns in New Age-Gap Romance Drama, Revealing a Poignant and Alluring Look Behind the Scenes

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 A man who used to sell ad slots on ‘ABEMA’ to clients at CyberAgent…

 Kippei Mikawa, who worked in advertising sales at the IT company CyberAgent, left his corporate job to sign a minor league contract with the MLB’s Chicago Cubs. Together with Yusuke Kitagawa, the head of the baseball-specialized gym “DIME,” he is aiming to take the mound in the World Series.

Ex-Salaried Worker Turned Baseball Prospect Kippei Mikawa Aims to Become a 170 km/h Closer, Catches the Eye of U.S. Scouts Online

 The trial has begun for a group of three men charged with extortion for staging a charade to extort 1.5 million yen from people they identified as voyeurs. During the trial, the defendant revealed the story of how he became a “voyeur hunter.”

&#8220;Not as Bad as a Normal Crime?&#8221; The Courtroom Defense of a Voyeur Hunter Who Used Fake Scenarios to Extort Cash

 Shinji Hasuo

 Between late on January 29 and the morning of January 30, a series of (attempted) cash robberies occurred in Ueno, Haneda, and Hong Kong. Four men believed to be connected to the Haneda incident were arrested on separate charges of attempted theft. An expert explains the connection to the Ueno incident.

A ¥190 Million Mix-Up With a Suitcase? The Hidden Link Between the Haneda Airport Theft Attempt and the Ueno Case

 Kyodo News (first photo), KLPGA (others)

 The “heroine” of South Korean golf has claimed her first victory on the Japan Tour. Her name is Park Hyun-kyung. She is a popular pro who captivates fans not only with her exceptional shot accuracy but also with her charming smile. Let’s look back on her remarkable achievement in Japan.

&#8220;Korea&#8217;s Golf Heroine&#8221; Claims Victory in a Striking Blue Uniform, Impressing Fans on the Japan Tour

 Hiroyuki Sasaki (Entertainment Journalist)

 Kyodo

 Exactly one month has passed since Tamao Nakamura passed away from pneumonia on June 9. A veteran reporter who was close friends with the couple—including her husband, Shintaro Katsu—reveals the nature of their bond as a couple…

Inside the Unusual Love Story of Tamao Nakamura and Shintaro Katsu, as Told by a Reporter Who Knew Them Both

 Keiko Tsuji

 “But I Already Apologized!” The number of “monster clerks” who use anti-customer harassment guidelines as a shield to intimidate customers is surging. An expert explains the reality of “reverse customer harassment”—a new problem born from companies’ one-size-fits-all responses—and shares smart complaint strategies to ensure customers don’t lose out.

&#8220;I Said Sorry Already!&#8221; How Some Employees Weaponize Company Rules Against Customers

 Ryoji Hanamasa

 Yuki Yanagita, who has won seven league championships and eight Japan Series titles with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, is entering the final year of his seven-year contract this year. What changes does this baseball superstar—now approaching the age of 40—continue to undergo?

Yuki Yanagita&#8217;s Candid Interview: &#8220;I Still Have More to Grow as a Professional Baseball Player&#8221;

 Junpei Kōta

 A town of 17,000 people was thrown into chaos by a 150-meter-long, 300-metric-ton “black serpent” that suddenly appeared on shore

 On December 25 of last year, a giant hose—150 meters long, up to 2 meters in diameter, and weighing an estimated 300 metric tons—washed ashore in Shika Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, a small port town in the Hokuriku region with a population of 17,000. It took a long time to remove the entire structure, and a large amount of taxpayer money was spent on its disposal.

Should Sex Buyers Face Criminal Penalties? Rethinking Japan&#8217;s 70-Year-Old Anti-Prostitution Law

 Akira Ikoma

 Sex Work and the State Around the World, Part 4: Part 2

 In the second part of the final installment of Akira Ikoma’s four-part series on sex trade regulations around the world, he examines the “abolitionist” stance of the current Anti-Prostitution Law. He also offers concluding reflections on the future of sex trade regulations.

Seventy Years On, Japan&#8217;s Anti-Prostitution Law Faces New Questions About Holding Sex Buyers Accountable

 Sex Work Around the World and the State, Part 4: Part 1

 Amid moves to revise Japan’s Anti-Prostitution Law, what is the current state of sex trade enforcement around the world? In Part 1 of the fourth installment of Akira Ikoma’s series, he introduces the “prohibitionist model” adopted primarily by Asian countries.

Criminals, Not Victims? The Policy Contradictions Behind a Thriving Sex Industry

 Yui Karen (28), who made a name for herself as a leading lady in the Tsuki Troupe during her time with the Takarazuka Revue, has continued to showcase her talent since transitioning to the world of film and television in 2023. With her first starring role in a TV drama set to premiere on July 8, we spoke with her about her career so far and her ambitions.

&#8220;A New Model for Takarazuka Performers&#8221;—Up-and-Coming Actress Yui Karen Reveals Her Determination in Her First Leading Role

 The sentencing hearing for a man who posted on social media that he would “support single mothers” and, under the pretense of paying the mother money, coerced her into sending obscene videos of her two daughters via video call, will be held on July 8. What “excuses” has the man offered during the trial so far?

He Claimed He Wanted to Help Single Mothers—In Reality, He Was After Nude Images of Their Daughters

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Aflo (Photos 2–4), Kyodo News (Photo 5)

 An elementary school fire left 11 students injured. The “rescue bags” that failed to work and the children who fled to the eaves. What are the pitfalls of “handkerchief evacuation drills” pointed out by experts? We take a closer look at realistic school disaster preparedness measures designed to save lives.

Elementary School Fire Reveals Why Some Evacuation Drills Fail When They Matter Most

 On June 30, Seiichi Sakamoto, a player for the “Chiba Sky Sailors” of an independent professional baseball league, was arrested on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act (hit-and-run) and other charges. According to reports, the incident appears to be linked to some kind of trouble…

How One Irreparable Mistake Turned a Baseball Player&#8217;s First Pro Season Into a Nightmare After a Hit-and-Run Arrest

 Akinori Nakagawa

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Miwako Toyama (THYMON Inc.)

 The hit drama series *Aibou*, in which he stars, is celebrating its 26th anniversary, and this renowned actor—now entering his 61st year in show business—continues to be active in a wide range of fields as an actor, singer, and film director

 Yutaka Mizutani, a renowned actor now in his 61st year in the entertainment industry, speaks about his life with a gentle gaze. He and his late best friend, Yusaku Matsuda, used to talk about “directing a drama together”… Keeping that promise to his close friend close to his heart, Mizutani is forging a new path for himself as a film director.

&#8220;I Was Always Prepared to Quit Acting&#8221;—A Special Interview With Actor Yutaka Mizutani

 JMPA, MB Media / Afro

 A survey by a viewership data analysis company ranked the “captivating power” of commercials featuring Japan national team players and the head coach. Even when the same players are featured, there seems to be a world of difference in the level of attention they receive—but where does this difference come from?

Why Hajime Moriyasu, Not Japan&#8217;s Star Players, Became the Center of Attention in the National Team&#8217;s New Commercial

 Courtesy of Kansai Clean Service

 “Kansai Clean Service” specializes in cleaning up hoarder homes and other difficult-to-tackle properties. The company’s employees have faced nothing but grueling situations—including some truly hair-raising experiences.

A Long-Haired Woman&#8217;s Ghost? Kansai&#8217;s Top Crime Scene Cleaner Shares a Spine-Chilling Story

 “Kansai Clean Service” specializes in cleaning up hoarder homes and other difficult-to-clear properties. The company’s employees have faced nothing but grueling situations—including some hair-raisingly terrifying experiences.

Latest Articles

“Just Their Natural Selves”—The Disturbing Courtroom Defense of a 75-Year-Old Former Teacher

The Influencer Trap: How Fake Sponsorship Offers Lure Creators With Promises of Payment Based on Follower Counts

Freelance Announcer Aika Kanda — “Erimo Cape After 16 Years of Waiting”

Why Ai Hashimoto Chose to Speak Out About Her Past Harassment Experience Despite Facing Mixed Reactions

[Personal Account] Shuhei Fukuda Reveals His “Sweat and Tears” MLB Challenge After Years as a Defensive and Speed Specialist

Yuki Uchida Stuns in New Age-Gap Romance Drama, Revealing a Poignant and Alluring Look Behind the Scenes

Ex-Salaried Worker Turned Baseball Prospect Kippei Mikawa Aims to Become a 170 km/h Closer, Catches the Eye of U.S. Scouts Online

“Not as Bad as a Normal Crime?” The Courtroom Defense of a Voyeur Hunter Who Used Fake Scenarios to Extort Cash

A ¥190 Million Mix-Up With a Suitcase? The Hidden Link Between the Haneda Airport Theft Attempt and the Ueno Case

“Korea’s Golf Heroine” Claims Victory in a Striking Blue Uniform, Impressing Fans on the Japan Tour

Inside the Unusual Love Story of Tamao Nakamura and Shintaro Katsu, as Told by a Reporter Who Knew Them Both

“I Said Sorry Already!” How Some Employees Weaponize Company Rules Against Customers

Yuki Yanagita’s Candid Interview: “I Still Have More to Grow as a Professional Baseball Player”

Should Sex Buyers Face Criminal Penalties? Rethinking Japan’s 70-Year-Old Anti-Prostitution Law

Seventy Years On, Japan’s Anti-Prostitution Law Faces New Questions About Holding Sex Buyers Accountable

Criminals, Not Victims? The Policy Contradictions Behind a Thriving Sex Industry

“A New Model for Takarazuka Performers”—Up-and-Coming Actress Yui Karen Reveals Her Determination in Her First Leading Role

He Claimed He Wanted to Help Single Mothers—In Reality, He Was After Nude Images of Their Daughters

Elementary School Fire Reveals Why Some Evacuation Drills Fail When They Matter Most

How One Irreparable Mistake Turned a Baseball Player’s First Pro Season Into a Nightmare After a Hit-and-Run Arrest

“I Was Always Prepared to Quit Acting”—A Special Interview With Actor Yutaka Mizutani

Why Hajime Moriyasu, Not Japan’s Star Players, Became the Center of Attention in the National Team’s New Commercial

A Long-Haired Woman’s Ghost? Kansai’s Top Crime Scene Cleaner Shares a Spine-Chilling Story

After Both Seller and Buyer Met Mysterious Deaths, a Leading Kansai Crime Scene Cleaner Reveals His Most Unexplained Encounters