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

Hachiko Statue Sealed Off Ahead of Halloween in Shibuya

Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward has installed barricades around the Hachiko statue in front of Shibuya Station as part of safety measures ahead of Halloween on October 31st.

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Sense of Crisis in World Heritage Shirakawa Village: ‘Never a Year with So Many Bears Before’

Bear sightings have surged across Japan, and in Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa Village—home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go—local authorities held a nighttime drill on October 28th to prepare for possible emergencies.

Japan Mobility Show Opens, Toyota Unveils Century Coupe

The Japan Mobility Show opened on October 29th, marking the start of Japan’s premier automotive exhibition, where foreign manufacturers are stepping up their entry into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

Takaiichi and Trump Emphasize Importance of Japan-U.S. Alliance

Prime Minister Takaiichi’s first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Trump drew high praise from officials at the Prime Minister’s Office, who described the atmosphere as friendly and open. According to government sources, the two leaders addressed each other by their first names, “Sanae” and “Donald,” a gesture that one senior official called “120 points,” underscoring the success of the meeting.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Abe Shooting Suspect Admits Murder

The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old accused of fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, began on October 28th at the Nara District Court. While Yamagami has admitted to killing Abe, the central issue now lies in determining his sentence.

Miyakojima’s Paantu Festival: Mud-Covered Gods Chase Away Evil Spirits

The traditional ritual of Paantu, in which masked gods covered in mud ward off evil spirits, took place on October 28th in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, filling the village with laughter and screams.

Car Crashes Into Dealership in Gunma

A passenger car crashed into a Nissan dealership in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, on October 29th, damaging a total of nine vehicles including those on display.

Trump Meets Japan's Emperor for First Time in Six Years

Emperor Naruhito met with former U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time in six years at the Imperial Palace on October 27th. The two exchanged greetings in English, with the Emperor saying, "I’m pleased to see you again," as he welcomed Trump to the Imperial residence around 6:30 p.m.

University Worker Arrested Again for Spraying on Girl's Shorts

A 43-year-old former employee of Tsuda University has been re-arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of vandalism for spraying his bodily fluid on female students’ clothing on campus.

Woman Found Dead Near Rice Field in Akita, Bear Attack Suspected

An elderly woman was found dead in a roadside ditch in Akita City on October 27th, with police investigating the possibility that she was attacked by a bear. A local resident discovered the woman lying face down in a drainage channel around 11 a.m. and called emergency services.

Man Arrested Near U.S. Embassy After Wielding Knife, Injuring Riot Officer

A 38-year-old man was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on October 24th after attacking a riot police officer with a knife, injuring the officer’s right leg.

Tokyo Court Rules Workplace Use of '-chan' as Sexual Harassment

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

< 2 3 4 5 >