 Masayoshi Katayama (Journalist)

 Naoki Nishimura/Sports Afro

 Ippei Mizuhara, who served as Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, was fired from the baseball team for allegedly engaging in illegal gambling. He is said to have spent nearly 700 million yen from Otani's account. The turmoil will not end with Mizuhara's dismissal. What is the worst case scenario for Otani becoming a target of the investigation?

Ippei Mizuhara Dismissed from Team for Illegal Gambling; Lawyer Warns Shohei Ohtani Could Face Similar Investigation as Worst Case Scenario

 Blank paper Green

 The "Kabukicho Tower" in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district was expected to be a crowded and popular tourist attraction when it was first completed. However, the restaurants and eateries inside are now deserted.

From Bustling to Bleak: Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, Once Crowded at Opening, Now in a State of Misery

 Shinya Inui

 In this issue of Playback, we look back at what we reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. In this issue, we introduce the panic of the ski combined team, including Kenji Ogiwara, who won the gold medal at the Lillehammer Olympics in March 1994, when they returned to Japan.

Playback ‘94: Back-to-Back Olympic Champs Hinomaru Composite Team Spark Panic as They Return to Japan

 Hideki Asai

 Chisato Sakane, born in Ishikawa Prefecture and raised in Tokyo, graduated from Hitotsubashi University. While studying urban policy as a student, she worked part-time at a snack bar and then took over the business from the previous owner, who was thinking of retiring, and opened "Snack Mizunaka".

From Hitotsubashi University to The Spotlight: The Story Behind A Woman Taking Over A Famous Snack Bar, Unveiling the Deep Reason Behind Her Choice

 Nonfiction writer. After working for the Sankei Shimbun in the National Police Agency Press Club, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Department, the Judicial Press Club, and the National Tax Agency Press Club, he went freelance. His recent book is "How We Live: Money, Women, and Quitting Time of the Modern Yakuza" (Kodansha + Alpha Shinsho).

 Masahiro Ojima

 Shu Nishihara

 The "illegal gambling problem" of Ippei Mizuhara, an interpreter, has become a big problem involving Shohei Ohtani. We will discuss four issues and the prospects for future investigations.

In-depth interview with authorities&#8230; &#8220;specific charges&#8221; that Ippei Mizuhara may be charged with and &#8220;four issues in the investigation.&#8221;

 Shinji Hamasaki

 In early March, in the coldest part of the day, an executive of the Roppongi Yamaguchigumi landed in Roppongi in the morning. He disappeared into a building with other gang members in tow. What was the purpose of this disappearance? ......

Yamaguchi-gumi Senior Visits Roppongi Amid Eastern-Western Faction Divide, Relatives and Allies in Surprise Appearance

 Keisuke Nishi

 Marin Honda announced her retirement in January 2012. She has been in a relationship with male figure skater Masama Uno for a while... This time, this magazine spotted the two on a date, holding hands with their lover!

Figure Skaters Honda Marin and Uno Shoma Spotted Hand-in-Hand After Luxury Shopping

 AFLO

 The world has been waiting for SHO-TIME 2024, and now it has finally begun. The dome was packed with fans from Japan, the U.S., and Korea, and his wife, Mamiko, was also in the crowd. ......

Ippei Mizuhara&#8217;s Partner was Fired and  Yet Otani&#8217;s &#8220;SHO-TIME 2024&#8221; is not affected at All

 The popularity of the entrance examinations of various universities was divided again this year, including Nihon University, which lost more than 20,000 applicants due to a series of scandals. In such a situation, there is a mid-tier women's university that increased the number of applicants dramatically by 1.7 times compared to the previous year. What is the surprising name of this women's college and why is it so impressive?

From Scandals to Surges &#8211; The Unlikely Rise of a Mid-tier Women&#8217;s University Amidst Admissions Turmoil

 Takero Yui

 A popular Johnny's Jr. group, "Ae! Group" of popular Johnny's Jr. Group" finally made their CD debut, but their popularity is in jeopardy as resale ticket prices for their subsequent dome performances have dropped to as low as 500 yen.

The Dome Disappointment and Tragic Turn for Ae! Group&#8217;s Anticipated Performance

 Kazunori Okubo

 Masaru Kumaki

 Yuri Kasahara

 Kurumi Komatsu

 A special series of articles on the true face of the idol group "WHITE SCORPION" produced by Akimoto Yasushi!

 A special series of articles on the true face of the idol group "WHITE SCORPION," produced by Akimoto Yasushi! In the seventh installment of this series, ACE will make an appearance.

White Scorpion: Part 7 ACE: &#8220;Beyond Skill: The Art of Delivery&#8221;

 Yuji Ehara

 Actress Anju Tanaka, who has a career as a police officer, took on the challenge of her first full-fledged gravure photo shoot. We asked her to talk about her time as a police officer, what made her decide to become an actress, and her goals for the future.

 We interviewed Anju Tanaka, an actress with a career as a police officer, who took on her first full-fledged gravure shoot for "FRIDAY," currently on sale.

From Law Enforcement to Limelight: Anju Tanaka&#8217;s Surprising Gravure Debut

 FM Nakanishi

 Parasites attach themselves to the bodies of humans and animals and live inside them. There is a place that promotes research, education, and awareness of such parasites. The Meguro Parasite Museum is a 12-minute walk from Meguro Station.

Bill Gates Awe at the 8.8-Meter Tapeworm and the Meguro Parasite Museum Unveiling the Reality of Parasites

 Cheer Drive" is a service that advertises by putting stickers on people's cars. The service was originally intended as a way to make money, but an initiative started by COVID-19 crisis has been receiving surprisingly positive feedback. What are the "effects"?

From Idol Support to Social Contribution: Unlocking the Potential of Car Stickers for Various Purposes

 In mid-February, Takahiko Fujii was spotted walking on the street in front of NTV. His dashing walk had the aura of a "favorite male announcer ranking" No. 1. At a variety show he appeared on, he also talked about the inside story of how he became a freelance announcer. His popularity seems to be unshakable.

Takahiko Fujii Set to Become Independent After Hinting at Financial Gain, Maintains Popularity as Face of NTV&#8217;s Nighttime

 Aika Kanda

 No.45] Me, Pink, and Sometimes New York

 Aika Kanda, who had taken the entrance exam for junior high school, elementary school, and university on three occasions, was taking the junior high school entrance exam for the first time in six years, and was attending cram school. There, she experienced a series of shocking events and exciting experiences that she could not have experienced in elementary school. ......

Freelance Announcer Aika Kanda Discusses Unusual Stimulus Brought by Junior High School Entrance Exams

 Takuma Arimura

 On March 12, the Fukuoka High Court ruled in favor of Satoru Nomura and Fumio Tague of Kudo-kai. On the day of the trial, the area around the detention center and the courthouse was under tight police security, as was the case last year. We caught up with the entire event.

Tension Mounts as Appellate Court Rules on Nomura and Tagami of Kudo-kai, Chilling Atmosphere Surrounds Ultra High-Security Convoy

 After 20 years of hard work, he won the top of 5,457 people with his unique "fantasy comic storytelling"!

 Machiura Pinku is the 22nd champion of "R-1 Grand Prix" and has won the title. He reached the top of 5,457 participants, the largest number in history, with his fictional "fantasy comic storytelling" featuring many famous people, but his unique style of comedy was met with controversy.

Exclusive Interview: Machiura Pink Credits Three Mentors for Victory as 22nd Champion of R-1 Grand Prix

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Mixed martial artist, performer, sake taster, member of the House of Councilors, and more... This is the life of the "ever-changing trickster

 Mixed martial artist, performer, member of the House of Councilors... Genki Sudo has many faces. What is he doing now? He says he has "avoided" taking over the family izakaya business since he was a child. ......

Former MMA Star Genki Sudo Takes on New Role as Pub Boss in Koto Ward, Shifting Away from Family Business

 Akira Tsuchioka (Nonfiction writer)

 The "Oyaku-Mogugugu" phenomenon, a dark behind the overdose epidemic, was selling illegally obtained medicines to more than 900 customers on social networking sites.

 Last year, a dangerous game of combining over-the-counter cough medicine with alcohol to induce intoxication became popular in Tor Yoko. However, even more dangerous is ODing with prescription drugs. A former buyer reveals the backstage of the prescription drug diversion business.

Former Buyer Reveals Heart-Stopping Reality of Prescription Drug Smuggling Business

 Dylan Travis/ABACA/Kyodo News Images

 Kei Komuro and his wife Mako have been living in a high-rise apartment in New York since they moved to the United States in November 2021. Since moving out in November 2011, they have not been heard from by the press, and there have been reports of "Mr. and Mrs. Komuro missing"...

Komuro Couple Seeks Ideal New Home After Vacating High-Rise Apartment, Have They Found It?

 Shinji Hasuo

 A contestant of the martial arts event "Breaking Down" was arrested. She drank alcohol at a girl's bar but vomited. Not only did she overcharge for drinks and dry cleaning, but she also high-kicked the manager. Here is the whole story.

Fighter Accused of Assaulting Manager, Evades Payment for Girls&#8217; Bar

 Shima Sota

 In addition to his own idol activities, Tadayoshi Okura of SUPER EIGHT (formerly Kanjani Eight) has recently been producing junior members of his office. Now, his project to produce junior members of the company has come under fire...

Backlash Erupts as Former Kanjani∞ Member Tadayoshi Okura&#8217;s Junior-Produced Project Sparks Shock Among Fans

 Nonfiction writer. He worked for Sankei Shimbun as a reporter for the National Police Agency, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Department, the Judicial Press Club, and the National Tax Agency Press Club before going freelance. His recent book is "How We Live: Money, Women, and Quitting Time of the Modern Yakuza" (Kodansha + Alpha Shinsho).

 Kyodo News

 The appeal against the acquittal of Kudo-kai President Satoru Nomura, who was sentenced to death, was overturned at the second trial. In the first trial, he said to the presiding judge, "You will regret this for the rest of your life," and it is said that the judiciary may have bowed to the gangsters. ......

Latest Articles

Ippei Mizuhara Dismissed from Team for Illegal Gambling; Lawyer Warns Shohei Ohtani Could Face Similar Investigation as Worst Case Scenario

From Bustling to Bleak: Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, Once Crowded at Opening, Now in a State of Misery

Playback ‘94: Back-to-Back Olympic Champs Hinomaru Composite Team Spark Panic as They Return to Japan

From Hitotsubashi University to The Spotlight: The Story Behind A Woman Taking Over A Famous Snack Bar, Unveiling the Deep Reason Behind Her Choice

In-depth interview with authorities… “specific charges” that Ippei Mizuhara may be charged with and “four issues in the investigation.”

Yamaguchi-gumi Senior Visits Roppongi Amid Eastern-Western Faction Divide, Relatives and Allies in Surprise Appearance

Figure Skaters Honda Marin and Uno Shoma Spotted Hand-in-Hand After Luxury Shopping

Ippei Mizuhara’s Partner was Fired and Yet Otani’s “SHO-TIME 2024” is not affected at All

From Scandals to Surges – The Unlikely Rise of a Mid-tier Women’s University Amidst Admissions Turmoil

The Dome Disappointment and Tragic Turn for Ae! Group’s Anticipated Performance

White Scorpion: Part 7 ACE: “Beyond Skill: The Art of Delivery”

From Law Enforcement to Limelight: Anju Tanaka’s Surprising Gravure Debut

Bill Gates Awe at the 8.8-Meter Tapeworm and the Meguro Parasite Museum Unveiling the Reality of Parasites

From Idol Support to Social Contribution: Unlocking the Potential of Car Stickers for Various Purposes

Takahiko Fujii Set to Become Independent After Hinting at Financial Gain, Maintains Popularity as Face of NTV’s Nighttime

Freelance Announcer Aika Kanda Discusses Unusual Stimulus Brought by Junior High School Entrance Exams

Tension Mounts as Appellate Court Rules on Nomura and Tagami of Kudo-kai, Chilling Atmosphere Surrounds Ultra High-Security Convoy

Exclusive Interview: Machiura Pink Credits Three Mentors for Victory as 22nd Champion of R-1 Grand Prix

Former MMA Star Genki Sudo Takes on New Role as Pub Boss in Koto Ward, Shifting Away from Family Business

Former Buyer Reveals Heart-Stopping Reality of Prescription Drug Smuggling Business

Komuro Couple Seeks Ideal New Home After Vacating High-Rise Apartment, Have They Found It?

Fighter Accused of Assaulting Manager, Evades Payment for Girls’ Bar

Backlash Erupts as Former Kanjani∞ Member Tadayoshi Okura’s Junior-Produced Project Sparks Shock Among Fans

Kudokai President Raises Concerns, “Has the Judiciary Succumbed to the Yakuza?”