 Kyodo News

 It was announced that Chunichi Dragons manager Kazuki Inoue (55) will step down at the end of this season, and the team is currently searching for his successor, but...

Koji Kudo Emerges as the Clear Favorite for Chunichi Dragons Manager, but One Club Legend Was Eager for the Job

 Works as a freelance writer primarily for the web. 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 caregiving.

 Motiko Abe-gawa

 A woman in her 20s who has worked at a cumulative total of 300 different places reveals the reality of “Timee,” a platform for short-term part-time jobs. What is the reality of being treated as the “lowest rung of the caste system” on the job, where you aren’t even called by your name? She also shares tips on how to spot a “good workplace”—insights only someone with her experience can provide.

A Woman in Her 20s Shares Her Experience Working at 300 Job Sites and Facing Social Stigma

 A Dramatic Turnaround After a Turbulent Life: Kidnapped by the Yakuza, Eight Years as a Truck Driver, and Life on the Streets

 An interview with Takuji Okugawa, the real-life inspiration for the protagonist of the drama “The Man Who Can’t Give Up Hope” (Kansai TV). We explore what drove him to climb back up from rock bottom—including 100 million yen in debt, being held captive by the yakuza, and falling into homelessness.

“I’ll Turn ¥100 Million in Debt Into Comedy”: The Real-Life Story Behind The Man Who Can’t Despair

 Mitsutoshi Abe (Former TV Reporter, Political Journalist)

 Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Aflo

 The “Unified Local Elections,” held once every four years, will take place next spring in April. While this should be a valuable opportunity for citizens to shape the details of their daily lives, in one-third of town and village councils, council members are determined without a vote. Behind this situation, which could undermine the very foundations of democracy, lies…

One-Third of Town and Village Assemblies Face Uncontested Elections: The Growing Crisis in Local Politics

 Shinji Hasuo

 On September 25, a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for stabbing his ex-wife’s younger brother at a residence in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture. The man’s mother was also found murdered at the scene. While past disputes between the man and his ex-wife had been reported, what exactly was his motive…?

Gunma Family Stabbing: Suspect’s Relationship With Ex-Wife’s Family and the Mystery Behind the Motive

 “Stinging at the Limit” [Part 2]

 *Mandala*, who found herself on the brink of ruin and drifted from one low-end sex work establishment to another, has published *Burning at the Limits*, a candid account of her daily work life. While the book reveals the behavior of various male clients, we asked her to name the three who left the strongest impression.

From Cat-Filled Homes to Mannequin Roommates: The Unusual Male Clients Sex Workers Have Encountered

 “Stinging at the Limit” [Part 1]

 How do male customers appear through the eyes of a sex worker? *Mandala*, author of *Stinging at the Limit*—a raw, candid account of the daily life of a low-tier sex worker—says that when she first started working in the industry, her days were “hell.”

“I Just Hated the Hair”: What Helped a Woman in Her 30s Escape the Hell of Her Life as a Sex Worker

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Shingo Tsuno (impiger)

 “The response has been so huge, it’s almost scary (laughs),” says actor Motoki Kobayashi, expressing his surprise. He plays a corrupt cop in the wildly popular Netflix drama *Gas Human*, and his intense performance has drawn significant attention. He shared behind-the-scenes stories from the shoot

Motoki Kobayashi Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Stories from Viral “Human Vapor”

 Since the “Residential Accommodation Business Act” (commonly known as the “New Private Lodging Law”) went into effect in 2018, private lodging has spread rapidly across the country. Amid tightening regulations in recent years, I visited that area where private lodging operators are reportedly flocking.

Tighter Regulations Put Japan’s Vacation Rental Industry Under Pressure—Why Some Operators Are Staying

 A growing number of celebrities are losing their lives to colorectal cancer. What’s concerning is how young they are. Yuri Nakamura, who passed away at the all-too-early age of 44, is one of them. Experts explain the mechanisms behind this trend and how to address it

Actress Yuri Nakamura Dies at 44 from Rectal Cancer as Specialists Warn of Rising Colorectal Cancer Among Young People

 Money writer and financial planner. After working as a market analyst at a securities firm, he became independent in 1996. He writes articles on finance and asset management, primarily for business and economic magazines.His books include *The First-Year Guide to Robo-Advisor Investing* and *Easy to Understand with Plenty of Illustrations! The Book That Guarantees You’ll Save Money with Cashless Payments*. ■X (formerly Twitter) → @1847mattsuu

 Kenji Matsuoka

 Is the “iDeCo Rollback” a Myth!? While it tends to get overshadowed by the new NISA, those who wait to see how things play out before the December revisions risk losing several million yen. We’ll thoroughly explain the truth behind the often-misunderstood “taxation at withdrawal” and provide strategies to maximize its powerful tax-saving benefits.

“Don’t Wait for the December iDeCo Changes!” Ignoring Its Enormous Tax Benefits Could Cost You Millions of Yen

 Kumatarō Arai

 TBS’s “VIVANT” has become a national phenomenon, with viewership ratings exceeding 15% for every episode. Behind its success, however, reports have surfaced of a power harassment incident involving the drama’s director…

Power Harassment Allegations Involving a Fracture Cast a Shadow over the VIVANT Movie, Raising Concerns Abroad

 Shirashi Midori

 The term “Dopagaki,” which refers to young people addicted to dopamine, is gaining attention. Recently, a new term called “Dodopagaki” has also emerged. What kind of lives do these young people lead, and what are they thinking? We asked them directly.

“Dodopagaki” Goes Viral: The ddiction Symptoms of People Who Can’t Stop Watching Short Videos

 The 400-million-yen robbery occurred in January of this year. The trial for the man who served as both the mastermind and the driver took place on September 30 at the Tokyo District Court, but his testimony showed significant discrepancies with that of another defendant who served as a driver, whose trial was held on September 14.

Ueno’s ¥400 Million Robbery Case Takes a Turn as Accused Ringleader and Driver Give Conflicting Accounts

 Kyodo

 Shuto Inomata, who was selected from the audition show “Type-R” and joined timelesz, was arrested for an assault incident. The remaining group members held a press conference to apologize, but…

timelesz’s Emergency Press Conference After Shuto Inomata’s Dismissal: Why Insiders Called It “Thoroughly Planned”

 Takahide Mizutani (Nonfiction Writer)

 Indicted for demanding 28 instances of entertainment, including visits to a Yoshiwara soapland…

 The first hearing in the case against Shinichi Sato of the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, who is charged with bribery, was held on September 25 at the Tokyo District Court. In response to Sato’s testimony that “there was no coercion regarding the entertainment,” Mr. Hikichi, who was in the courtroom, expressed his anger in an interview after the hearing and showed the author a photograph.

University of Tokyo Professor Dubbed the Gift-Begging Professor Pictured at an Atami Pole-Dancing Bar

 Akinori Nakagawa

 He Revealed His Cancer Diagnosis in ’14—What’s the Secret to Continuing His Acting Career Even After Having Half His Stomach Removed?

 An interview with Masachika Ichimura (77), who has been at the forefront of the stage for over half a century. His philosophy on character development is to “season it with spice.” He has remained active even after undergoing surgery for stomach cancer. He shared that the secret to his health is “eating until you’re half full” and cooking.

Masachika Ichimura on 53 Years in Acting: “The Secret to Great Food and Great Performances Is Knowing the Right Seasoning”

 Koichiro Umeki

 Takashi Okamoto

 The “Next-Generation Gravure Queen,” who has graced the covers of numerous magazines, returns—keep an eye out for how she’s changed since her gravure debut in ’23!

 Runa Ichinose, the “Next-Generation Gravure Queen” who has graced the covers of numerous magazines, is back! Keep an eye out for how she’s changed since her gravure debut in ’23. She’s radiating summer vibes! Now accustomed to photo shoots, she says she made a point of having fun with the photographers.

“Let’s Make This Summer Special!” Cover Girl Runa Ichinose Opens Up

 Shimei Kurita (Nonfiction Writer)

 Kyodo News (1st photo) The Asahi Shimbun (3rd and 4th photos)

 Cases Have Even Arisen Where Accident-Prone Properties Are Converted into Vacation Rentals Due to “Lending Reluctance”

 As of July of this year, the number of registered vacation rental properties stood at 42,070—with the rapid expansion of vacation rentals, disputes with neighbors have also surged, prompting local governments to tighten regulations. Even so, many operators are eyeing entry into the market, driven by the increase in inbound tourists.

Inside Japan’s Minpaku Boom: Facilities Surge 20-Fold in Eight Years as Operators Continue Profiting Despite Stricter Regulations

 Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1962. He performs as part of the comedy duo “Honjama-ka” with Toshiaki Megumi. In addition to appearing on variety shows such as “Ganso! Debuya” (TV TOKYO network), he is also active as an actor and voice actor. Currently, he appears as the Friday host on “Yojigoji Days” (TV TOKYO) and is also focusing his efforts on YouTube and Instagram.

 Hidehiko Ishizuka

 “Honjamaka” Hidehiko Ishizuka’s “Maiu~” Days, Vol. 61

 “Honjama-ka” Hidehiko Ishizuka’s “Maiu~” Days, Vol. 61.

An Older Lady as My Teacher! What Hidehiko Ishizuka of “Honjama-ka” Learned at a Showa-Era Candy Store

 Masayoshi Katayama (Journalist)

 Risks of Explosions and Infectious Diseases…

 A fin whale approximately 17 meters long washed ashore at Kujukuri Beach in Sosa City, Chiba Prefecture. With a typhoon approaching, efforts to recover and dispose of the carcass stalled. More than 10 days after it washed ashore, the carcass remained untouched, causing it to decompose rapidly and posing a risk of explosion and infectious disease.

[Chiba, Kujukuri] Risk of Explosion and Infectious Diseases! An Overwhelming Stench of Decay… On-Site Photos of the “17-Meter Giant Fin Whale” That Was Washed Ashore

 A couple walks hand-in-hand beneath the neon lights of the downtown district—the strapping young man with an impressive physique is Seiya Watanabe of the Saitama Seibu Lions. Who is this woman walking right by Watanabe’s side, the player hailed as a “future cleanup hitter” candidate…?

[Scoop] Seiya Watanabe, a Candidate for the Seibu Lions&#8217; &#8220;Future No. 4 Hitter,&#8221; Has Tied the Knot in a &#8220;True Love Marriage&#8221;!

 Eiichi Yamane/Aflo

 The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—Europe’s premier race—is a formidable challenge that has repeatedly repelled Japan’s finest thoroughbreds. Now, carrying the aspirations of its late owner, one Thoroughbred is set to take on this challenge…

&#8220;Just Like the Royal Family&#8221;: The &#8220;Profound&#8221; Human Drama Unfolding Around Yutaka Take and Meisho Tabaru as They Take on the Prix de l&#8217;Arc de Triomphe

 Shinji Hasuo (Inomata)

 Shockwaves are rippling through the idol empire that has long dominated Japan’s entertainment industry. Shuto Inomata (“timelesz”), who was arrested on assault charges, has had his contract terminated, and the end of “WEST.”’s activities has been announced. What is happening at STARTO right now?

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