Society

Arrested Man Points to Mastermind in Tochigi Double Homicide

TOKYO, Apr 30 (News On Japan) - In the case of a couple's charred bodies found in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, it has been revealed that a man, arrested in Okinawa Prefecture on April 29th and believed to be the director behind the crime, claimed there is yet another orchestrator involved.

Witness to Sasaki's arrest commented, "Sasaki seemed surprised and was immediately taken away. There were about 14 or 15 officers present."

Hikaru Sasaki, 28, along with accomplices, is accused of setting fire to the bodies of Ryutaro Takarajima, 55, and his wife Sachiko, 56, on April 16th, and was sent for prosecution on the morning of April 30th.

While it is believed that Sasaki had instructed 25-year-old Ryoken Hirayama, who was previously arrested, on how to dispose of the bodies, further interviews by investigators revealed Sasaki’s claim that there is "yet another director" involved.

He also stated, "I do not know Takarajima."

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently analysing of several mobile phones found in Sasaki's possession.

Second Arrest in Tochigi Double Murder Case

Source: ANN

Typhoon No. 22 (Halong) Leaves Izu Islands Battered; Caution Still Urged

Typhoon No. 22 has brought severe weather to the Izu Islands, especially around Hachijo Island, with strong winds and heavy rain continuing to affect the region. Although the rain and wind have peaked, authorities urge continued caution against violent gusts, high waves, and potential landslides due to saturated ground conditions. While most of the Kanto region, including the Tokyo metropolitan area, has avoided major transportation disruptions, some services along the coasts of Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures may still be affected.

Typhoon No. 23 (Nakri) Approaching South of Japan Over Holiday Weekend

As of 9 a.m. on October 9, Typhoon No. 23 (Nakri) was moving quickly northwest over waters south of Japan and is expected to influence weather conditions over the upcoming three-day holiday weekend. The typhoon is forecast to strengthen slightly as it approaches the Okinawa and Amami regions between October 10 and 11. Afterward, it is expected to curve northward, moving off the coast of Kyushu on October 12 and reaching waters south of Japan’s main islands by October 13.

Japanese Teachers Still Work World’s Longest Hours

Elementary and junior high school teachers in Japan still work the longest hours among their peers worldwide, according to an OECD report released on Tuesday. While the 2024 results by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showed working hours had fallen by around four hours per week compared with the previous survey in 2018, Japan’s teachers still far exceeded their global counterparts.

Beer Shortages Hit Japan's Izakayas

Beer deliveries from Asahi Group Holdings have been disrupted following a ransomware cyberattack, causing shortages that have already begun to affect izakaya and other establishments across Japan. Some bars have reported their beer stock falling to “only one left” as supply chain delays ripple through the industry.

Magnitude 4.9 Quake Off Fukushima, No Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture around 9:30 a.m. on October 7th, registering a maximum intensity of 4 on the Japanese seismic scale. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, there is no risk of a tsunami caused by this tremor.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Kyoto’s Pine Trees Wrapped in Straw to Guard Against Winter Pests

In Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, workers carried out the traditional practice of “komo-maki,” wrapping straw mats around pine trees to protect them from harmful insects as the autumn season deepens. The activity takes place each year around “Kanro” (Cold Dew), one of the 24 solar terms marking the seasonal transition toward winter.

Two Hyogo Police Officers Arrested for Possessing Marijuana

Two police officers from the Hyogo Prefectural Police have been arrested for possessing marijuana, admitting they kept it for personal use.

Bear Breaks Into Gunma Supermarket

A bear entered a supermarket in Numata City, Gunma Prefecture on Tuesday night, attacking two male customers before escaping to the south.

Bosozuku Rattle Tokyo's Harumi Flag Apartments

Footage filmed near the Harumi Flag Apartments in Tokyo shows groups of motorcycles revving their engines loudly into the night at a nearby intersection, disrupting the peace of families living in the new residential complex built on the former site of the Tokyo Olympic Athletes’ Village.

University Ex-Employee Arrested for Spraying Bodily Fluid on Female Student’s Shorts

Police have arrested a 43-year-old former employee of Tsuda College in Kodaira, western Tokyo, on suspicion of property damage after he allegedly took a female student’s shorts from a locker and defiled them with bodily fluid.

Okinawa Court Orders Families To Pay For Police Station Damaged In Riot

The Naha District Court’s Okinawa branch has ordered a group of former youths and their parents to pay more than 4 million yen in damages to Okinawa Prefecture over a riot that took place three years ago when a crowd surrounded the Okinawa Police Station and destroyed vehicles and other property.

Over 40,000 Sign Petition Against Hotel in Wasabi Fields

A hotel construction plan in the rural wasabi-growing area of Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, has sparked strong opposition from local residents who fear it will damage the landscape and threaten the region’s iconic wasabi fields.

Mobile Battery Catches Fire on Osaka Metro, Two Women Injured

A mobile battery caught fire inside a train on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line on October 4th, injuring two women and disrupting operations on both northbound and southbound tracks.

< 2 3 4 5 >