Sports

Kazuki Anakubo, Boxing Prodigy, Dead at 23 After Falling into Coma

TOKYO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) - A 23-year-old boxer who suffered four knockdowns in a Japanese bantamweight title match last December has passed away two days after falling into a coma post-fight.

The deceased is Kazuki Anaguchi, a 23-year-old fighter from the Shinsei Gym in Kobe. Anaguchi participated as a challenger in the bantamweight Japanese title match on December 26th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, where he was knocked down four times due to punches to the face and ultimately lost by decision. According to the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), after the match, Anaguchi lost consciousness in the dressing room and was transported to a hospital in Tokyo. He was diagnosed with a right subdural hematoma and underwent emergency surgery, but he never regained consciousness and passed away in the evening two days later. During the 10-round match, Anaguchi was knocked down in the 4th, 7th, 9th, and the final 10th round, but he was leading on points in the other rounds. The JBC, which oversees the matches, explained that "it was difficult to make the decision to stop the match because he was responding well during the intervals."

Source: NHK

Japan Post to Lose Freight Permit

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has notified Japan Post of its intention to revoke the company’s license for freight transportation, following the discovery of improper safety checks at postal branches across the country. The ministry had conducted a special audit in April after finding that approximately 75% of post offices responsible for mail collection and delivery failed to conduct legally required checks, such as confirming whether drivers had consumed alcohol before duty.

Legionella Bacteria Found at Osaka Expo’s Quiet Forest and Water Plaza

Legionella bacteria have been detected in multiple locations at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, prompting health and safety measures. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, seawater collected on June 3rd from the Water Plaza, where water shows are held, was found to contain Legionella bacteria at 20 times the guideline limit.

Japan's Annual Births Fall Below 700,000 for the First Time

The number of babies born in Japan in 2024 fell below 700,000 for the first time since recordkeeping began in 1899, highlighting the nation’s accelerating demographic crisis. According to population statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 4th, the number of births dropped to 686,061—down more than 40,000 from the previous year.

Convenience Stores Nationwide to Sell Government Rice in 1–2 kg Packs

Three major convenience store chains will soon begin selling government stockpiled rice in small packages of 1 to 2 kilograms. FamilyMart will start selling rice harvested in 2021—classified as old stock—at 20 locations in Tokyo and Osaka starting June 6th. The rice will be priced at 360 yen per kilogram, excluding tax, with plans for a nationwide rollout.

Cash Storage to Be Banned in Safe Deposit Boxes

Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and other institutions are moving to revise rules on the use of safe deposit boxes following a string of thefts, with the Japanese Bankers Association now working toward a ban on storing cash in these boxes.

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Shigeo Nagashima, Symbol of Japan’s Golden Age of Baseball, Dies at 89

Shigeo Nagashima, one of Japan’s most iconic postwar figures and known as "Mr. Pro Baseball," has died at the age of 89, it was learned on June 3rd. A native of Chiba Prefecture, Nagashima helped define an era of professional baseball and became a national hero.