Society

Strange Circular Marks at Shrine Cause Alarm Among Visitors

SAGA, Mar 14 (News On Japan) - Mysterious circular patterns resembling crop circles have appeared at a shrine in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, where traditional rituals for health and well-being are performed. A notice posted at the shrine reads: “Visitors are finding this unsettling. Please stop making these markings.”

The strange formations, characterized by swirling grooves radiating from a central point, have been spotted in various locations within the shrine grounds.

Who could be responsible for them?

Shigetoshi Mouri, the shrine’s senior official, speculated: “At first, I thought it was children playing pranks, but the number kept increasing, and they are incredibly precise.”

A closer look reveals that the grooves are almost evenly spaced, forming a remarkably accurate spiral pattern. Could this be the work of extraterrestrial technology?

Some visitors found the mysterious marks disturbing, prompting the shrine to issue a formal request asking for the activity to stop. Officials also pointed out that defacing the shrine could constitute an offense under laws prohibiting disrespect toward places of worship.

Mouri noted, “Since posting the notice, the situation has calmed down.”

Following the warning, no new mystery circles have been reported at the shrine.

Source: FNN

Four Dead in 24 Mountain Accidents in Nagano During Holiday Period

At least 24 mountain climbing accidents have occurred in Nagano Prefecture since the start of the Golden Week holidays in late April, resulting in four fatalities.

Head Lice Are Spreading Again in Japan's Schools

Head lice, small parasitic insects that feed on blood from the scalp, are once again spreading among children in Japan as physical contact increases following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sapporo, where outbreaks have been reported in schools, local officials are urging caution.

Wooden Church in Gifu Collapses Following Creaking Sounds

A wooden church in Kasamatsu, Gifu Prefecture collapsed on Saturday evening, after years of delayed demolition plans due to financial constraints.

Japan Ranks 66th in Global Press Freedom, Lowest Among G7

Reporters Without Borders has released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, ranking Japan 66th out of 180 countries and regions surveyed, just behind Timor-Leste (65th) and Fiji (64th).

Trump Raises Tariffs 25% on Imported Auto Parts

The Trump administration has imposed a 25% additional tariff on imported auto parts, including engines and transmissions, with the measure taking effect at 1:01 p.m. Japan time on May 3rd.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Woman Arrested for Throwing Bird Carcass in Neighbor’s Yard

A 61-year-old woman was arrested and sent to prosecutors on May 4th in Togo, Aichi Prefecture, for allegedly throwing a bird carcass into her neighbor’s yard, in what police say was part of a long-running neighborhood dispute. Security footage captured the entire incident.

Car Falls Off Pier in Hakodate, Elderly Man Rescued but Later Dies

A car plunged into the sea from a wharf in Hakodate Port, Hokkaido on May 4th, and an elderly man rescued from the vehicle was later confirmed dead.

Drunk Man Goes on Rampage at Ramen Shop

A drunken man caused a disturbance at a popular ramen chain in Kanagawa Prefecture on May 2nd, kicking toward the kitchen area and shouting demands over a large serving he claimed he was denied.

Fire Sweeps Through Kinosaki Onsen Inn, Guests Flee as Crews Struggle to Contain Blaze

A fire broke out before dawn at a ryokan in the Kinosaki Onsen hot spring district in Hyogo Prefecture, engulfing the building and spreading to nearby stores. While all guests were safely evacuated, a male employee was taken to hospital.

Japanese Death Row Inmate Dies of Old Age

Kazuhiko Matsumoto, a 70-year-old man on death row for killing two men in the Philippines for insurance money, has died of natural causes.

Ainu Soldiers Recall War and Discrimination

During the Pacific War, members of the Ainu community, Japan's Indigenous people, were drafted and sent to the front lines alongside ethnic Japanese under the government's assimilation policy.

Yakuza Boss Fingered for Stealing 172 Rolex Watches

A senior member of the Yamaguchi-gumi, a designated organized crime syndicate, has been arrested in connection with the theft of over 170 Rolex watches in Osaka, and is suspected of having selected where the stolen goods would be sold.

Ise Grand Shrine Begins Relocation Ceremony

The Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture has begun preparations for its next shikinen sengu, the ceremonial reconstruction of its shrine buildings and transfer of deities held once every 20 years. The process officially commenced on May 2nd with the Yamaguchi Festival, the first in a series of sacred rites.

< 2 3 4 5 >