Sep 19 (Dark side of Japan Yuki) - Even in Japan, there are people who are not blessed with a good family.
The Daughter of a Yakuz＠ Escapes to Shelter and Survives
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Typhoon No. 26 was located over the Bashi Channel as of 9 a.m. on November 12th, moving north at a speed of about 10 kilometers per hour. Moist air from the storm is feeding into a stationary front near Okinawa, leading to the development of rain clouds and prompting warnings for heavy rainfall in Okinawa and the Amami region.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for the mother of a 12-year-old Thai girl who was illegally employed at a massage parlor in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Act.
JR East announced on November 11th that it will retire the beloved Suica penguin mascot at the end of fiscal 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Suica transportation IC card service, and will introduce a new character from fiscal 2027.
A series of bear encounters across Japan is causing growing alarm, with several prefectures reporting aggressive behavior and issuing emergency shooting orders. In one incident last week in Hokkaido, a bear charged at a car and growled as it pursued the vehicle, forcing the driver to reverse to escape, with claw marks later found on the hood.
The government is moving to include the use of “okome-ken,” or rice vouchers, in its upcoming package of economic measures. The vouchers can be used to purchase rice and other food items and have already been distributed by several municipalities as part of local initiatives to offset rising living costs.
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A boy believed to be an elementary school student died after falling from a high-rise apartment in Sendai City on November 11th. Police said that around 3:20 p.m., the boy, estimated to be in his early teens and living in the same building, was found unconscious in the courtyard of a 15-story apartment complex and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Princess Aiko, the only daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, paid her respects at the mausoleum of Emperor Showa and other imperial tombs in Hachioji, Tokyo, ahead of her official visit to Laos later this month.
A series of bear attacks were reported across Japan on November 9th, injuring five people in total, including a man in his 50s who was attacked at around 4 a.m. while preparing for his restaurant’s opening in Sannohe, Aomori Prefecture.
Welcome to Japan's biggest slum, where survival is the only currency that matters. For the 20,000 people here in Kamagasaki, home is often the street. It's a strangely quiet slum, built on a brutal economic logic: a bowl of ramen might only cost 500 yen, but a tiny 3-tatami-mat room can cost $350 a month. (Andrew Fraser)
The National Police Agency announced on November 6th that it has revised the National Public Safety Commission regulations to allow police officers to use rifles for bear control. The amendment will take effect on November 13th.
A 51-year-old man has been arrested for forcing a 12-year-old Thai girl to work illegally at a private massage parlor in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward, in what police believe may be part of a human trafficking operation.
Tajiri, a town of just about 8,300 residents, has surged from 10th to 3rd place in the Kansai Happiness Ranking thanks to its strong community ties and family-focused support funded by Kansai Airport taxes.
Emergency contraceptive pills, used to prevent unintended pregnancies, are set to become available over the counter in Japan as early as by the end of this fiscal year, marking a major shift after nearly a decade of debate.