 Shinji Hasuo

 On January 8, a man who ran a company was murdered in an apartment in Omori, Tokyo. The suspect, who was arrested the next day, was the victim's subordinate and friend for 30 years. What happened between the two men, who used to be good friends, including traveling together?

“I Had to Make Him Pay”—Inside the Suspect’s Deadly Rage in the Ōmori Apartment Case

 Kumataro Arai

 On a night in mid-December last year, actor Ai Kikkawa was walking alongside a handsome man who plays the lead role in the January season drama "Tokyo P.D. Keishicho Koukai 2-kakari" on location in an office district in Minato-ku.

Ai Yoshikawa Spotted with Handsome Co-Star—A Sharp Contrast to Her Otaku Persona

 Shinsuke Sakai

 On January 6, Chen Zhi, chairman of the Prince Group, one of Asia's largest "transnational criminal organizations," was arrested in Cambodia and extradited to China on January 7. This website reported on the group's activities in Japan last December.

Prince Group Chairman Arrested—Photos Reveal Extravagant Parties in Japan

 Noboru Hashimoto

 Hiroshi Kume, who served as an anchor for many programs, passed away. Former TV Asahi announcer Yasuma Matsui, who was in charge of sports for "News Station," looks back on his memories of Kume, whom he respected as "God.

“Don’t Let Yourself Be Targeted”—Hiroshi Kume’s Timeless Advice to Young Anchors

 Ukon Shima (Broadcaster, Video Producer)

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 Akari Takaishi is the heroine of the NHK morning drama "Bakebake," in which she plays the role of Mr. Heaven's wife. It is unusual for a script to be set in the early Meiji period, which is rare for a morning drama. ......

Bakebake Backed by Mitsuhiko Fujiki’s Distinctive Script—NHK Morning Drama Debut

 Nakahira Ryo

 A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault after he followed a high school girl he found at a train station. Many women have experienced being followed by a stranger. We asked a well-informed person what to do in such cases.

Man Arrested for Following High School Girl Sparks Concern Over Everyday Stalkers

 Ryoji Shigemasa

 Encountering the "Ideal Form

 Hotaka Yamakawa of SoftBank won the long-sought Japan championship and the MVP of the series, but struggled during the season with a .226 batting average, 23 runs, and 62 runs batted in. He found his "ideal form," which he had not found until the end of the season, in an unexpected place.

Hotaka Yamakawa on His Breakthrough Moment—It All Started with Sato

 Takeshi Kinugawa (1st), Yasuko Funamoto (2nd)

 Early in the new year, there was a major move in the political world. Newspapers reported that Prime Minister Takaichi may dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election in January. What made Prime Minister Takaichi decide to dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election? ......

Why Takaichi Chose a Snap Election—The Roles of Aso, Losing MPs, and Komeito

 Kyodo News (1st and 2nd pictures)

 Tomiichi Murayama, the 81st Prime Minister of Japan, passed away in October 2013. The man's personality is described by former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who served as prime minister until October of last year. What was the true face of Murayama from Ishiba's point of view?

Revealed at Last—Shigeru Ishiba Reflects on Tomiichi Murayama’s Postwar Statement and His Quiet Character

 Shinji Hamasaki

 Koichi Domoto of "Domoto" (formerly KinKiKids) announced his marriage on December 28, 2013. He made a surprise appearance at his office's New Year's Eve live, known as "Cowcon," which started on the evening of December 31, and his concern for his fans became a topic of conversation....

Why Koichi Domoto Skipped Kaucon—and Why Fans Are Applauding Him After Marriage

 New Year's Special Interview

 Interview with Shiori Sato, "I feel like I've been recognized a little bit. Laugh and Correct! TV personality Shiori Sato, who is currently appearing on five regular TV shows including "Ariyoshi's Wall. Sato says that she is the type of person who "has a hard time praising herself," but she says she has changed in 2013.

Interview with Shiori Sato &#8220;I feel a little bit of recognition for myself&#8221; Running at full speed in 2026!

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Afro

 Fasting to give birth and maintain muscle strength even when bedridden...Hibernating bears defy medical conventional wisdom! What is "delayed implantation," in which a fertilized egg waits for six months? Professor Toshio Tsubota of Hokkaido University thoroughly explains the mysterious ecology and amazing mechanism.

May Mating and Pregnancy in Winter? Fasting births and &#8220;maintaining muscle strength while bedridden&#8221;&#8230;hibernating bears defy medical convention.

 Kei Kato

 At the end of last year, an event hall in Sakai City, Osaka, was enveloped in a strange feverish atmosphere as an experimental event "MURDERATION" combining HIPHOP and martial arts was held. Here is an on-the-spot report on this unique event.

The venue was in an uproar before the match..! A report from the &#8220;unique event&#8221; where strong rappers and braggarts gathered!

 Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency

 With her younger brother, Prince Eugene, reaching the age of majority, the hurdle seems to have been lowered. ......

 Kako is energetically active. The year before last, she performed more than 130 official duties, and last year's activities exceeded that pace. With the coming-of-age of Princess Eugene, the hurdle seems to have been lowered, but... it is likely that the marriage will be announced in a blitz.

The second daughter of the Akishino family, Kako, has become even more beautiful, and the timing of her marriage is worrisome.

 Daisuke Iwasaki

 Takeshi Kinugawa

 At a meeting held at the end of last year, Mr. Takaichi reportedly coldly dismissed an unsuccessful councilor who asked him to "dissolve the Diet while the approval rate is high. The Takaichi administration boasts of an exceptionally high approval rating, but will it take the initiative to dissolve the House of Representatives this year?

A Strong Word to the Failed Councilors&#8230; Why &#8220;Prime Minister Takaichi&#8221; wants to step forward for a &#8220;dissolution general election&#8221; against the backdrop of high approval ratings, but cannot do so.

 Shuichi Masuda (1st and 3rd), Shinya Inui (2nd)

 In this issue of Playback, we take a look back at what this magazine was reporting 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This time, we report on the "victory party night" of Waseda University's Goromaru, who won the 2006 National University Rugby Championship for the second year in a row.

Playback &#8217;06] On the night of the record-breaking Japanese university championship, Goromaru, the Waseda University ace, was eating a beef bowl at Yoshinoya.

 Not a happy new year... The yen continues to weaken and prices rise, the U.S. president of Venezuela is in custody, and the Restoration Association is in danger of leaving the coalition.

 Prime Minister Takaichi was busy during the year-end and New Year's holidays as well, as he was pressed to respond to a phone call with the U.S. President and, in between, prepared for a press conference at the beginning of the year. While the approval rating of his cabinet has remained at an exceptionally high level since his inauguration, there are still many concerns that lie beneath the surface.

Despite Strong Approval Ratings, PM Takaichi Faces Three Key Political Challenges

 Blank Green

 In April, Shibuya Ward in Tokyo will require businesses to install trash cans as a measure against the ever-increasing amount of littering, but this has been criticized as "covering for the government. We interviewed local residents about the reality of the overflowing trash in Shibuya.

Who Should Handle Public Trash? Shibuya Ward and Residents Weigh In on Mandatory Trash Bin Installation

 In mid-December last year, Kaho and Ryuhei Matsuda were walking side by side during the filming of the January season drama "Detective, My Backpack is Open" in Motomachi, Yokohama. Expect to see Kaho, who is the talk of the town for last October's season's "Then, You Make It!

Tourists Stop and Stare as Kaho and Ryuhei Matsuda Appear Together in Yokohama

 Kazuhiko Nakamura, Shinji Hasuo (Nakai)

 Last year, Fuji Television fell into the worst crisis since its inception due to the Nakai problem. On the other hand, TV Asahi is doing well, but behind the scenes, there is a lot more to be said about it. ......

Fuji TV’s Struggles and TV Asahi’s Ascent Highlight a Changing Broadcast Landscape

 Filming for the movie "Odoru Daisousasen N.E.W.", scheduled for release this fall, took place in Asakusa, Tokyo, at the end of December, and we found a rare two-shot of Yuji Oda, the lead actor, and his co-star, Shuri. Oda always looks so young, but when the two of them stand side by side, it is indeed a sight to behold...

Yuji Oda and Shuri Share Anpan on Set Showing a Heartwarming Father-and-Daughter Bond During New Bayside Shakedown Filming

 Sayuri Saito

 Assets and stocks are "naked" to the government...The whole picture of the "targeting the wealthy" that the Takaichi administration is embarking on. What is the true nature of the "taxpayers' burden" that is being promoted by linking all accounts to the "My Number" system? A scenario of increased tax collection looming behind the reduction of the working-age population's burden.

How the Takaichi Administration Plans to Track Assets and Target High-Net-Worth Individuals

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Former mayor of Ito, Maki Takubo, who is suspected of academic fraud, failed to win the re-election. ......

 The January 12 election for mayor of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture. The former mayor, Akira Ogawa, who was hit by an unprecedented scandal in which he was found to have been going to a love hotel with a married city official, was thought to be going up against some headwinds, but to his surprise, he is "sure to be re-elected.

Former Mayor Akira Ogawa Predicted to Win Big Despite Love Hotel Scandal

 Nakahira

 Shinji Hasuo (Yokoo suspect)

 On January 5, Yokoo, the suspect in the hit-and-run of 14 people in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, last November, was arrested for the third time on charges of murder and attempted murder. We went around his home to speak with his mother again.

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