Society

5 Arrested Over Body in Suitcase

KANAGAWA, May 26 (News On Japan) - In December 2023, the body of a man was discovered inside a suitcase along the banks of the Tamagawa River in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Police have arrested five individuals, including the man's ex-girlfriend and her family, on suspicion of abandoning the body.

Shogo Nishitaka (34), his sister Mai Nishitaka (32), and two other family members, along with Shuhei Iwaki (39), are suspected of placing the body of Tadayuki Hara (46) into the suitcase and leaving it by the riverbank. The police report that Hara died of suffocation, with his body found in a large suitcase with his limbs bent.

During police questioning, Mai Nishitaka denied the charges while the other four suspects have admitted to the allegations.

Source: FNN

Japanese Woman Witnesses Crisis in Gaza

A Japanese woman working with Doctors Without Borders has delivered a harrowing account from Gaza, where severe food shortages and relentless Israeli airstrikes have pushed local hospitals and residents to the brink of collapse.

Hakodate Fishermen Brace for Another Poor Squid Season

The squid fishing season officially opened on June 1st in Hakodate, where 11 boats set out from the port despite recent years of severely depleted catches and early reports from Aomori, which began fishing in May, already indicating another poor haul.

Japan’s Healthcare in Crisis, Doctors Overworked as Research Time Dwindles

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Welfare Worker Dies After Attack by Knife-Wielding Woman

A female employee was fatally stabbed at a child welfare facility in Saga City on May 31st. Police arrested a 28-year-old woman at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.

Japan Overhauls Prison System for First Time in a Century

Japan has officially abolished both penal servitude and imprisonment without labor, replacing them with a newly introduced 'custodial sentence' system. This marks the first major reform of the country's penal code since it was established in 1907.

Okinawa Survivor Breaks Silence After 80 Years

Okinawa resident Sueko Urasaki, who appeared as a trembling child in a U.S.-filmed recording of the Battle of Okinawa, has spoken publicly for the first time in 80 years about her harrowing experience, expressing a heartfelt plea for peace to future generations.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

Ancient Wall Carvings Reveal Burial Secrets of Japanese Nobility

Japan’s largest known cluster of horizontal tombs lies in the southeastern Osaka city of Kashiwara, where more than 160 cave tombs have been confirmed in what is now known as Takai Horizontal Tomb Park. Including uninvestigated areas, the total may exceed 200 burial chambers.

Foreign Tourist Punches Car, Makes Threatening Gestures in Asakusa

A visiting family in Tokyo’s Asakusa district was left shaken after witnessing a sudden outburst by a foreign tourist who punched their car and made aggressive gestures in the middle of the road.

Man Admits to Dropkick Assault and Robbery in Osaka

A trial opened on May 29th at the Osaka District Court for 28-year-old Kazuya Nagaya, who is accused of seriously injuring a man by kicking him from behind and stealing his bag in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture. Nagaya admitted to the charges, stating, "No doubt, it’s exactly as you said."

< 2 3 4 5 >