Prosecutors investigating Obayashi Corp. suspect the major construction firm rigged a bid for the building of a maglev train station emergency exit, with one of the company's vice presidents brought in voluntarily for questioning about the matter, sources close to the case said Sunday. (Japan Times)

Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a 38-year-old man from Hiratsuka City for allegedly abducting a middle school student in Aomori Prefecture and confining her at his residence for two months, reports Jiji Press (Dec. 8). (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 33-year-old man suspected in 100 purse-snatching incidents over the past few moths in the northern part of the capital, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Friday raided an office of extremist group Chukaku-ha in Edogawa Ward over harboring a wanted activist, reports TV Asahi (tokyoreporter.com)

The chief priest at a Shinto shrine in Tokyo was killed on Thursday, after she and her brother apparently fought over the post she held. (NHK)

Two women were killed and another person was injured Thursday night in a stabbing incident at a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, with the male suspect appearing to have committed suicide, police said. (Japan Today)

Drivers of the now-ubiquitous go-karts reminiscent of Nintendo Co.'s "Mario Kart" video games will soon be required to buckle up for their safety. (Japan Times)

Narita International Airport near Tokyo is looking to ease congestion at one of its terminals. (NHK)

Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly raping a female middle school student he met online earlier this year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Princess Mako, her husband-to-be, Kei Komuro, teenage shogi sensation Sota Fujii, a giant panda cub and seven other figures who featured heavily in the media this year have been featured on colorful hagoita wooden paddles unveiled by Japanese traditional doll maker Kyugetsu Co. on Wednesday. (Japan Times)

Japan's Supreme Court has ruled for the first time that an article in the country's Broadcast Law that obliges TV owners to sign receiving contracts with NHK does not violate the Constitution. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of a woman's corpse inside a love hotel in the Kabukicho red-light district of Shinjuku Ward, reports Nikkan Sports (Dec. 6). (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo prosecutors on Tuesday arrested the president of a tech venture known as one of the developers of the world's fourth-fastest supercomputer on suspicion of defrauding a governmental institution of 431 million yen in subsidies. (Japan Today)

After an intoxicated commuter tumbled onto railway tracks at JR Ebisu Station on Saturday, an elderly man pulled him away just before a train arrived, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested five men for allegedly confining a male acquaintance inside a vehicle before stealing his possessions, including more than 2 million yen, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Friday announced the arrest of a barman in the Roppongi entertainment area of Minato Ward for allegedly stealing a waste collection truck earlier this year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Shizuoka Prefectural Police have arrested a 38-year-old male member of a hip-hop group over the alleged possession of marijuana, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Calendar, diary and fortune-telling businesses are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the name of Japan's next imperial era, as the government said Friday it is expected to begin on May 1, 2019, the day after the emperor abdicates. (Japan Today)

Chiba Prefectural Police have arrested a 39-year-old man after a stabbing at a factory in Funabashi City on Thursday left one male employee dead, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

While it’s become common knowledge that many Japanese talent agencies prohibit idol singers from dating, there are similar rules in place at some Japanese high schools. (rocketnews24.com)

With pretty much the busiest mass transit system in the world, Tokyo also has some seriously huge subway stations. Major hubs in the Tokyo area are made up of seemingly endless corridors connecting various lines, shopping centers, and restaurant rows, and some are so complex that they can literally double as RPG dungeon maps. (rocketnews24.com)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have busted a hostess club in Minato Ward for operating without a proper licence, reports TV Asahi (tokyoreporter.com)

As a part of a crackdown on a so-called “delivery health” out-call service in Taito Ward for providing prostitution, Tokyo Metropolitan Police have announced more arrests in the case, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Like many countries, Japan has an unwritten rule that those who are willing to ride an escalator by standing still should keep to one side, while people in a rush who want to climb the moving steps are allowed access on the other side. (rocketnews24.com)

In announcing the bust of two teenagers for the possession of marijuana, Tokyo Metropolitan Police revealed that the number of arrests of minors for crimes related to the drug is on the rise, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)