Domestic violence cases in Japan hit record high in fiscal 2020

Jan 14, 2021 | News On Japan

Jan 14, 2021 (Japan Times) - Domestic violence cases in Japan hit a record high of over 130,000 in fiscal 2020, with people more stressed and worried about life as the coronavirus pandemic forces them to spend more time at home, according to a government survey released Tuesday.

The total number of cases stood at 132,355 in the period from April to November, four months before the fiscal year ends on March 31, surpassing the fiscal 2019 level by 13,000.

There were over 15,000 cases per month between April and November, with numbers particularly high in May and June, the Cabinet Office survey showed.

“The number of violent cases increased as people spent longer periods of time at home and got more stressed and worried about life,” a Cabinet Office official said.

Speaking at a news conference, Seiko Hashimoto, minister for gender equality, said, “We need to keep a close watch on the situation and strengthen measures after the government declared a second state of emergency over the coronavirus.”

According to the survey, there were 119,276 domestic violence cases in fiscal 2019, which ended in March 2020, with Tokyo leading the way with 19,868.

Typhoon No. 6 Tracking Near Okinawa, Heavy Rain Expected Across Japan

As of 3 p.m. on May 30th, Typhoon No. 6 was continuing to strengthen as it moved northwest over waters east of the Philippines, with forecasts indicating that it will pass near Okinawa at strong intensity from June 1st to June 2nd, bringing the risk of destructive winds, high waves, and torrential rain, while also raising concerns over heavy rainfall across western and eastern Japan, particularly along Pacific coastal regions.

Saw, Iron Pipes and Shovel Seized as 30 Teens Get Ready to Rumble

A social media dispute between a 17-year-old high school student from Tokyo's Itabashi Ward and a 16-year-old boy from Edogawa Ward escalated into a planned group fight involving around 30 youths, some of whom allegedly brought weapons including a rusty saw, iron pipes, a special baton and even a shovel.

Japan's Population Falls by 3.1 Million in Five Years to 123 Million

Japan's population stood at 123.05 million in 2025, according to preliminary results from the national census released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, marking a decline of 3.097 million people over the past five years.

Japan Volleyball Player Busted Over Marijuana Possession

Volleyball player Shunichiro Sato, a member of Japan’s men’s national team, was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of possessing marijuana after allegedly leaving a bag containing the drug at a pachinko parlor in Tokyo.

Naphtha Shortage Disrupts Japan's Housing Industry

The “naphtha shortage” triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East is now spreading into Japan’s housing industry, with shortages of paint, thinner, insulation materials and other building products forcing construction delays across the country.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Juso Retro Town Gets First Tower Condo, Bringing New Life

A major transformation is underway in Osaka's Juso district, where the area's first large-scale tower condominium has opened in a neighborhood long known for its retro downtown atmosphere and entertainment district. While the development is bringing new conveniences and attracting new residents, concerns are also emerging over rising rents and the future character of the community.

Woman Dies After Leaning Out of Car Window in Gifu Accident

A traffic accident that occurred beneath an elevated section of the Meitetsu railway line in Kasamatsu, Gifu Prefecture, on Thursday morning claimed the life of a 21-year-old woman who was riding in the front passenger seat of a car.

Wanted Man in Mother-Daughter Killings Changed Clothes Many Times

Police in Hyogo Prefecture on May 27th released a new image of a wanted murder suspect believed to have changed clothes multiple times while fleeing after the killing of a mother and daughter in Tatsuno City, raising concerns that he may still be hiding in the surrounding area.

Monkey Attacks Continue in Himeji Neighborhoods

Two junior high school students were injured after being attacked by a monkey in a residential area of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, on May 26th, as reports of similar incidents continue across the city.

Bear Hunter Shortage Raises Alarm

Black bears trapped inside box cages have been filmed thrashing about violently and attempting to lunge at handlers, as a sharp rise in bear sightings across Japan this spring raises concerns among local communities and hunters alike.

Prince Hisahito Makes Debut at Imperial Palace Banquet

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted an imperial banquet at the Imperial Palace on May 27th to welcome Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who are currently visiting Japan, with Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, attending the event for the first time.

Two Vietnamese Workers Die After Being Trapped in Concrete

Two Vietnamese construction workers died on May 26th after becoming trapped during concrete pouring work inside an underground agricultural water pipe in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture.

Living Alone in a Japanese Village Near Extinction

Deep in the mountains of Ayabe in Kyoto Prefecture, 74-year-old Kazuyoshi Watanabe continues living alone in the isolated settlement of Koya, which has been reduced to a single resident after a stroke left the left side of his body partially paralyzed, despite the village having no supermarkets, convenience stores, or even vending machines.

< 2 3 4 5 >