Amusement Ride Maintenance Check Turns Fatal

Apr 21, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A female maintenance worker was killed after becoming trapped in amusement ride equipment at Tokyo Dome City, with investigators finding that no one was operating the control panel at the time of the accident.

Emergency services received a 119 call shortly after 11:50 a.m. on April 21 reporting that a person had been caught in amusement equipment at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Bunkyo Ward's Korakuen district.

The victim was identified as Hina Uemura, 24. She had been inspecting a support pillar of the outdoor attraction known as 'Flying Balloon,' where seats move vertically.

According to investigative sources, Uemura was standing on a stepladder checking the pillar when a seat section that had been fixed above her suddenly fell, trapping her body.

Firefighters partially dismantled the ride to secure space for rescue operations. About five hours after the accident, at around 5 p.m., she was freed from the machinery.

Uemura was transported to hospital in cardiopulmonary arrest and was later confirmed dead.

Investigators have since determined that no one was operating the control panel that controls the movement of the fallen seat section when the accident occurred.

The Metropolitan Police Department began an on-site inspection on the morning of April 22 and is investigating what caused the ride to drop.

In response, Tokyo Dome City Attractions said it would close temporarily on April 21 and suspend operations indefinitely from April 22 onward.

Source: FNN

Typhoon No. 25 Moves Away From Japan Into Pacific

Typhoon No. 25 was moving away from Japan over waters to the east early on September 22, bringing an end to rainfall across the Kanto region while remaining a strong storm as it tracked northeast at 45 kilometers per hour at 3 a.m.

Rail Links to Narita Airport Disrupted as Typhoon Damage Lingers

Severe transport disruption continued across Chiba Prefecture on the morning of September 22 even as Typhoon No. 25 moved away from Japan, with major JR lines still suspended, rail access to Narita Airport disrupted by river flooding, highways closed across the Boso Peninsula and thousands of travelers dealing with the aftermath of the previous day's cancellations.

Japan Takes 12 Medals on Asian Games Day 3

Japan collected another 12 medals on Day 3 of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 21, with 17-year-old swimmer Shin Ohashi and karateka Kakeru Nishiyama winning gold, while the host nation also advanced strongly in women's volleyball, baseball, soccer, handball and hockey.

Japan's Elderly Population Hits Record 29.6%

People aged 65 and older accounted for a record 29.6% of Japan's population in 2026, the highest proportion among major countries worldwide, while the number of elderly people in employment also reached an all-time high as Japan marked Respect for the Aged Day on September 21.

Emperor and Empress Watch Asian Games Basketball

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched Japan defeat Kazakhstan in a women’s basketball preliminary-round game at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Japan's Elderly Population Hits Record 29.6%

Emperor and Empress Visit Ghibli Park

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture on September 20, touring exhibits that recreate famous scenes from Studio Ghibli films and posing for a photograph with the character No-Face.

Four Teens Rearrested Over Fatal Assault on 17-Year-Old

Police in Kanagawa Prefecture have rearrested four teenagers on suspicion of murdering a 17-year-old high school student who died after being assaulted in Sagamihara in August.

Why Kansai People Go to Drinking Parties

Drinking parties remain a lively part of social life in Kansai even as younger generations increasingly turn away from alcohol and izakaya bankruptcies rise at a record pace, with customers describing the gatherings less as occasions to drink heavily and more as opportunities to maintain friendships, meet new people and build connections across generations.

'Tokuryu' Criminal Gangs Target Elderly Victims with Refrigerator Trick

Anonymous and fluid criminal groups known in Japan as "tokuryu" are adopting increasingly elaborate tactics, including a scheme in which elderly victims are persuaded to hide cash inside refrigerators before thieves enter their homes, as authorities struggle to combat networks whose members often have no direct contact with one another.