Society

Inada leaves Defense Ministry with no apology over coverup scandal

Aug 01 (Japan Today) - At a ceremony to mark her resignation as defense minister, Tomomi Inada on Monday called for the creation of an "open" atmosphere inside the ministry and the Self-Defense Forces following a data coverup scandal, but she did not offer an apology.

Admitting the ministry responded "inappropriately" to information disclosure requests in the scandal, Inada told senior Defense Ministry and SDF officials, "I hope you will work to build an open culture, cooperate more closely, and bring together the ministry and the SDF to ride out any kind of difficulties."

Inada resigned Friday following a one-year stint that was marred by gaffes and missteps. The direct reason for her resignation, which took place just days ahead of an expected Cabinet reshuffle, was the ministry's coverup of data related to a U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, in which she was alleged to have played a role.

While denying involvement in the coverup, Inada quit her post Friday to take responsibility for the matter, which she said had "shaken public confidence" in the ministry and the SDF.

The data in question stirred controversy as they described some especially tense situations that Ground Self-Defense Force members found themselves in during the U.N. mission in the fledgling African country. The involvement of troops in conflict situations overseas is a sensitive issue in Japan due to the war-renouncing Constitution.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Tokyo Court Rules Workplace Use of '-chan' as Sexual Harassment

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

Inside Japanese Fonts: How Designers Shape the Way We Read

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

Knife-Wielding Man Arrested Near U.S. Embassy in Tokyo

A man wielding knives in both hands was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on the afternoon of October 25th after injuring a riot police officer on duty.

Imperial Family Pays Tribute to War Victims

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

First Snow Caps Mount Fuji, 15 Days Earlier Than Last Year

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Nagoya High Court Confirms Acquittal in Cannabis Case

A 47-year-old man accused of possessing cannabis in Nagoya has been acquitted after the Nagoya High Court ruled that the procedures used to seize the evidence were illegal. The decision, handed down on October 9th, became final after prosecutors decided not to appeal.

Man Dies Trying to Save Elderly Couple From Bear

A 38-year-old man was killed on October 24th in the village of Higashinaruse, Akita Prefecture, after attempting to rescue a couple in their seventies who were being attacked by a bear.

Families Honor War Dead from Northern Territories

A memorial service marking 80 years since the end of World War II was held in Shari, a town in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko region, on October 22nd to honor those who perished in the Northern Territories and other areas.

Osaka Police End 14-Hour Siege

Police in Osaka arrested a 48-year-old man on October 22nd after a tense 14-hour standoff in which he allegedly held a woman at knifepoint inside an apartment. A special tactical unit forced entry into the residence late at night, ending the standoff without injuries.