The base concept behind the pick-up training industry is kind of strange On the one hand, customers are supposedly paying money to get lessons from experienced instructors in how to meet and seduce a romantic and/or sexual partner. But on the other hand, such extensive experience in picking up new people sort of implies that said instructors’ romantic connections aren’t of the quality that warrants repeat performances, and the techniques they’re teaching may not be so much putting your best foot forward, but relying on outright deception or other underhanded tricks. (soranews24.com)

Following the arrest of a 69-year-old man for allegedly murdering a woman at his residence with stimulant drugs last year, police have revealed that the amount of drugs found in her system far exceeded the lethal amount, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

The former deputy editor of a popular Kodansha Ltd comic magazine was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison for killing his wife in 2016. (Japan Today)

The Former Chairman of Nissan Motor is free on bail. After spending over 100 days in custody, Carlos Ghosn posted nearly nine million dollars and walked out of a Tokyo detention center. (NHK)

Japanese swimming star Rikako Ikee said Wednesday her battle against leukemia has been more difficult than she imagined. (Japan Today)

The cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday approved a bill to revise the broadcast law to allow public broadcaster NHK to start simultaneous online streaming of its television programs. (Japan Today)

An amusement park themed on the world of Finland's Moomin fairytale characters will open on March 16 in Saitama Prefecture, its operator said Tuesday. (Japan Today)

Japan aims to set up a nationally recognized accreditation program for teachers of its native tongue, seeking to improve language education for foreign workers as the country prepares to welcome them in greater numbers. (Nikkei)

Japan's transport ministry has installed a body scanner at a subway station in Tokyo on a trial basis to check for dangerous objects. (NHK)

The new defense team for former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn say they want to clear their client of charges and win back the trust of Japanese society. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have discovered a sleeping medication inside the residence of one of two medical professionals in custody for allegedly drugging and raping a woman last month, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

A record 38,000 runners braved the rain to take part in the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. (NHK)

Kyoto Prefectural Police have arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly stabbing his former wife at the residence they share in Nantan City, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Hokkaido Prefectural Police have arrested the coach of a girl’s basketball team in Sapporo for allegedly kissing a player at his residence last year, reports Nikkan Sports (tokyoreporter.com)

The operator of Narita International Airport near Tokyo said Thursday it will introduce in spring 2020 a facial recognition technology-based system that enables passengers to board planes, after check-in, without showing their passports or boarding passes. (Japan Times)

Despite tougher laws enacted last year, smokers can light up in some restaurants and bars. Tobacco advertising is allowed on television, cigarette packages don't contain graphic health warnings, and tobacco is cheap compared to other major cities. (Japan Today)

Starbucks opened a sprawling, high-end roastery cafe in Tokyo on Thursday. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested the grandson of a martial arts legend over the alleged possession of marijuana in Shinjuku Ward, reports Fuji News Network (tokyoreporter.com)

Netflix's popular reality series "Queer Eye" recently wrapped up filming for a number of special Japan-based episodes. (Japan Times)

Police arrested two doctors in their 20s Wednesday on suspicion of raping a woman after giving her a drug-laced alcoholic drink during a party in Tokyo in January. (Japan Today)

Japan's labor shortage looks anything but convenient for operators of 7-Eleven and other 24-hour outlets. The union of convenience-store owners has asked 7-Eleven Japan to allow them to open for shorter hours. Many operators say they can't find the staff to keep their stores running around-the-clock. (NHK)

A 34-year-old man wanted over the fatal stabbing of an elderly man in Hiroshima City last week was apprehended in Shiga Prefecture early Wednesday, police said, reports Jiji Press (tokyoreporter.com)

The international terminal at Haneda airport in Tokyo will be renamed Terminal 3 in March 2020 as part of large-scale renovations to cope with an increase in international flights ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics, sources said Tuesday. (Japan Times)

Kanagawa Prefectural Police have sent a 29-year-old man living in Sagamihara City last year to prosecutors over the alleged poisoning of a number of cats last year, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a 22-year-old male university student over the alleged import of the gas nitrous oxide, a designated medicine commonly known as "laughing gas," reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)