Society

Dubious death of Japanese 'Don Juan' puts his womanizing in spotlight

Jun 06 (Kyodo) - The suspicious death of a wealthy but troubled Japanese man dubbed "Don Juan" has brought into focus the personal life of the 77-year-old self-proclaimed womanizer who married a 21-year-old earlier this year.

Kosuke Nozaki, president of a liquor sales company and a real estate business in Tanabe in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama, also known as the Kishu area, was found collapsed at his home on the evening of May 24 and was later pronounced dead. Traces of illegal narcotics were found in his system but no needle mark was on his body, prompting police to investigate the case as a possible murder.

Nozaki published his first autobiography titled "Don Juan of Kishu: The Man Who Gave 3 Billion Yen to 4,000 Beautiful Women" in December 2016, likening himself to the mythical Spanish playboy, after getting into trouble with a woman over money. Three billion yen is worth around $27 million.

According to Gendai Business, an online media managed by Kodansha Ltd., the publisher of the autobiography and its sequel released in April this year, he decided to write the first book after a 27-year-old woman he met at a dating club was arrested in February 2016 for stealing cash and jewelry worth 60 million yen from his home.

The case attracted media attention and made him famous after he said in interviews with media outlets, "To me, 60 million yen is waste paper. The theft gave me a good life experience," the website says.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

Japan is facing a deepening crisis of poverty and inequality, with rising reports of 'invisible homeless' individuals and growing economic hardships among the population. Discussions over reforms to the country's tax and welfare systems have taken center stage, as policymakers grapple with how to provide meaningful support.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Man With Snake Tattoo Accused of Theft and Headbutting Store Employee

A man with a distinctive snake-like tattoo on his face has been arrested for shoplifting and assaulting a convenience store employee in Tokyo. The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Masakatsu Echizenya, is accused of stealing items from a store around noon on November 15th and violently attacking the employee who confronted him.

Kato Recognized by Guinness for 65 Years of Chess Puzzle Contributions

Hifumi Kato, affectionately known as 'Hifumin,' has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for the longest-running chess puzzle column in a magazine.

Monkey Caretaker Accused of Stealing Feed at Osaka Zoo

A male caretaker at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka has been sent to prosecutors on suspicion of stealing vegetables and fruits used as monkey feed.

Osaka Strip Theater Busted for Indecency

The operator of a strip theater in Osaka's Tenma district, advertised as "Western Japan's largest," has been arrested alongside nine others for exposing dancers' lower bodies to customers, police announced.

Wakayama Shrine Prepares New Year’s Artwork

Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, has begun producing traditional calligraphy artwork for next year’s New Year celebrations.

Sex industry recruiters in Tokyo arrested

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested five people on suspicion of violating Japan's Employment Security Act. They are believed to have run a nationwide operation to recruit women via social media to work in the sex industry. (NHK)

Human Hand Found Sticking Out From Ground at Cemetery in Nara

A human hand was discovered protruding from the ground at a cemetery in Nara City on November 18th, around 1:30 p.m.

Renowned poet Tanikawa Shuntaro dies at 92

Tanikawa Shuntaro -- a renowned Japanese poet who used his keen sense of observation in creating a vast body of work -- has died of old age. He was 92. (NHK)

< 2 3 4 5 >