Society

Japan introduces up to one-year jail time for cyberbullying

Jul 07 (channelnewsasia.com) - People found guilty of cyberbullying in Japan now face up to a year in prison under rules implemented on Thursday (Jul 7), which were toughened up after the suicide of a reality star who had been trolled online.

Pink-haired professional wrestler Hana Kimura, a 22-year-old cast member of the hit Netflix series "Terrace House" died by suicide in 2020.

The revised legislation follows a passionate campaign by her mother, and now imposes fines of up to 300,000 yen (US$2,200) or a year in prison - an increase from previous penalties of up to 10,000 yen in fines or 30 days detention.

The beefed-up punishments are intended to make clear that cyberbullying is a criminal offence, said Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa. ...continue reading

Japanese Skateboarding Prodigy Joins Guinness World Record Holders

More than 2,000 amazing records from around the world have been registered in the latest Guinness World Records 2025, among from a young skateboarding prodigy from Japan.

Man Crushed to Death by Fallen Tree in Tokyo

A man in his 30s died after being trapped under a fallen ginkgo tree in Hino City, Tokyo.

JAL Speeds Up Boarding Process

Japan Airlines (JAL) has introduced a new boarding method on September 11, aimed at shortening the boarding time for large aircraft on domestic flights.

Nara Palaces Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage

Nara's Asuka and Fujiwara Palaces have been officially recommended as a candidate for UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list, with the goal of achieving registration at the World Heritage Committee meeting scheduled for the year after next.

University of Tokyo to Increase Tuition by 20%

University of Tokyo President Teruo Fujii revealed that the university is finalizing plans to raise undergraduate tuition fees by 20%, starting with students entering next academic year.

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Imperial Instagram Account to Expand Family Coverage

The Imperial Household Agency's official Instagram account, which launched in April and has 1.79 million followers, mainly features updates about the Emperor and Empress. The agency is now considering expanding its posts to include updates on the Akishino family and other members of the imperial family, according to the Director-General during a press conference.

'Voyeur King' Busted Distributing Underwear Images

A man calling himself the ‘Voyeur King’ has been arrested for taking pictures of women's underwear and posting the images on social media.

Ancient harvest ritual on Japanese island draws big crowd

On the southwestern Japanese island of Amami-Oshima, people have offered prayers for a bumper crop in a traditional ritual dating back more than 450 years. (NHK)

Golf Club Theft Ring Busted

Five unemployed men have been arrested and charged with repeatedly stealing golf clubs from parked cars. The total losses are estimated at approximately 57 million yen.

Kyoto's Kamigamo Shrine Holds Traditional 'Crow Sumo' Ritual

The traditional 'Crow Sumo' ritual, which involves imitating crow calls to pray for good health, was held on September 9 at Kyoto's Kamigamo Shrine. This ritual, which takes place on the Day of Chrysanthemums, has been performed since the Heian Period