Russian Diplomats in Japan Continue to Evade Parking Fines

TOKYO, Dec 03 (News On Japan) - The issue of diplomatic vehicles avoiding parking fines in Japan due to diplomatic immunity continues, with Russia reaching a record-high number of violations, accounting for 63% of the total.

A list obtained from the National Police Agency through an information disclosure request revealed that vehicles with diplomatic license plates evading parking fines in Japan continue to be led by Russia. In fiscal 2023, the number of cases reached 2,418, marking the worst in six years.

The proportion of Russia’s violations increased by four percentage points from the previous fiscal year, setting a new record at 63%.

Meanwhile, the total number of countries involved in such evasions decreased by nine, reaching the lowest level to date.

Why is Russia’s share overwhelmingly high?

In 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained to the Diet, “The Russian Embassy has stated that it is making efforts to eliminate parking violations but maintains a stance of being unable to pay parking fines.”

As the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, the country’s defiance of international norms has once again come to light.

Source: FNN

Four Young Mechanics Die After Car Crashes at High Speed

A passenger car was captured speeding across the frame from left to right by a security camera just moments before a fatal crash in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, that claimed the lives of four vocational school students.

Fire Breaks Out on Yodobashi Camera Billboard in Front of JR Osaka Station

A fire broke out on the evening of April 25th on an electronic billboard attached to the Yodobashi Camera commercial complex in front of JR Osaka Station, prompting a large emergency response. No injuries were reported.

Toxic Chemicals Detected in Rivers and Groundwater Across Japan

Organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS—suspected to be harmful to human health—have been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey.

Japan to Issue Bicycle Blue Tickets from April 2026

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

Woman Arrested for Drunk Driving After Eating Alcohol-Filled Chocolate

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Long summery with paras, no headers

The Japanese government held its first meeting on April 25th to address support measures for the Employment Ice Age Generation, a group that has recently become the focus of active policy discussions across political parties.

Mayor to Cut Own Salary by 20% After Harassment Findings

In response to a third-party committee confirming five cases of power harassment involving senior officials in Ōnojo, including the deputy mayor, the city government held a press conference on April 24th.

Tottori and Jordan Form Sand Alliance

Tottori Prefecture and the Kingdom of Jordan, both exhibitors at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, have formed a symbolic partnership dubbed the "Sand Alliance," uniting over their shared cultural and environmental connection to sand.

Japan PM Ishiba announces fixed gasoline price cuts in May

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has announced fixed price cuts on gasoline. Gasoline prices will be lowered by 10 yen, or about 7 cents, per liter starting in May. (NHK)

Discuss Cooperation on Tariffs and Defense

George Glass, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan, held his first meeting with Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to discuss tariff measures under the Trump administration and efforts to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Chinese Court Executes Man Who Killed Japanese Boy to Gain Online Fame

A Chinese man sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen has been executed, according to diplomatic sources.

Ishiba Rules Out Linking Tariffs and Security in U.S. Trade Talks

Prime Minister Ishiba has clarified his stance on ongoing trade negotiations with the Trump administration, stating that security and trade are separate matters and that discussions on security should not be linked to tariffs.

Japan Reacts to Trump's Tariffs

As former U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies—particularly tariffs—once again become a topic of global attention, Japanese citizens are voicing a wide range of opinions.

< 2 3 4 5 >