Society

Tax Evasion Scandal: Cash Hidden in Ceiling

TOKYO, Jun 21 (News On Japan) - Japan's National Tax Agency revealed that the amount of tax evasion uncovered in cases prosecuted by the Special Investigation Department, known as 'Marusa,' across Japan last year amounted to approximately 8.9 billion yen.

Among the discoveries was a silver case hidden in a ceiling, containing over 110 million yen in bundled cash. This was just one of the various tax evasion methods exposed by the tax authorities.

According to the National Tax Agency, there were 101 cases of tax evasion prosecuted nationwide last year. A significant portion involved fraudulent withdrawals from tax offices through abuse of the consumption tax refund system. Additionally, the agency highlighted cases orchestrated by so-called 'tax evasion consultants' who guided large-scale nationwide fraud.

Takashi Takamatsu, head of the National Tax Agency’s Special Investigation Department, commented, 'With the proliferation of emails and social media, a vast array of traces is left behind. The ability to accurately identify and capture evidence from large volumes of data has become crucial.'

In response to the challenges posed by the digital age and the vast amount of evidence requiring analysis, the agency plans to enhance its measures by developing new analytical tools and establishing specialized departments.

Source: ANN

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

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