Society

Kei Komuro pays Y4 million to settle family financial row

Nov 19 (Japan Times) - Kei Komuro, the husband of Mako Komuro, a former princess, has paid about Y4 million to his mother’s ex-fiance to settle a financial dispute that had overshadowed the Komuro’s marriage, the former fiance’s representative said Thursday.

A total of Y4,093,000 — the same amount the ex-fiance paid to the Komuro family to support them — was transferred Monday to a bank account designated by the former fiance, according to a magazine reporter representing him.

Kei Komuro, 30, and his mother’s former fiance agreed to settle the dispute when they met Friday evening in Tokyo, the husband’s lawyer explained.

On Sunday, Mako Komuro, a 30-year-old niece of Emperor Naruhito, and Kei Komuro arrived in New York to start a new life in the city, where the husband works as a law clerk at a legal firm. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

Osaka Expands Indoor Smoking Ban

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

Japan's Imperial Household Launches YouTube Channel

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

New Recruits Across Japan Mark First Day as Working Adults

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

Death Toll Could Reach 298,000 in Nankai Trough Megaquake

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

Tokyo's Cherry Blossoms Bloom Early This Year

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 30th that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino) in central Tokyo have reached full bloom, one day earlier than the historical average and five days earlier than last year.

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This Small Japanese Town Has Been a UFO Hotspot for 50 Years

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Surge in Japanese Women Wearing Men's Suits

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