Society

JR Tokai employee fired for allegedly embezzling money from foreign shinkansen passengers

May 25 (Japan Times) - Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) said Thursday it fired a male employee who is alleged to have embezzled about Â¥100,000 after overcharging foreign passengers for shinkansen tickets at Shin-Osaka Station on seven occasions this year.

According to the operator, the 20-year-old worker collected extra money by charging passengers for an additional person when they purchased multiple tickets at the station.

He kept the extra tickets and cashed them in at other railway stations.

The malpractice was carried out between April and May. The operator started investigating the situation after one of the passengers reported their case on May 13.

JR Tokai said it will not file a criminal complaint against the employee as the overcharged money has already been returned to the passenger who reported the incident.

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Moves Toward Vietnam, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 20th show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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