Fortune-Teller Accused of Defrauding 70 People Out of 2 Billion Yen

Sep 06, 2025 | News On Japan

FUKUOKA - A self-proclaimed fortune-teller has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after luring people into false investment schemes, including a case in which she allegedly swindled 10 million yen from a woman she befriended as a fellow kindergarten mother.

Police arrested Noriko Tasai, 51, on charges of defrauding a 52-year-old acquaintance in Fukuoka City in 2018. Investigators allege Tasai told the woman that placing crystals into building foundations would enhance feng shui and increase property value, promising dividends and the return of principal investment.

FNN had interviewed the victim and her family in May 2025. The victim said many acquaintances praised Tasai, saying things like, "When I went to her for fortune-telling, good things happened." She had met Tasai through her child’s kindergarten and was offered free fortune-telling sessions and advice.

After two years of knowing each other, Tasai allegedly told her, "Top-level people always use astrology, the Four Pillars of Destiny, and feng shui. If you invest even hundreds of thousands of yen, your fortune will improve." Trusting Tasai, the woman believed the scheme. Her husband explained, "Because it was a family friendship, we never thought she would lie."

Tasai’s luxurious lifestyle further reinforced their trust. According to the woman, she would enter luxury brand stores and immediately say, "I’ll take this, I’ll take this," in a manner compared to "Michael Jackson’s old shopping style."

Ultimately, the victim handed over more than 100 million yen to Tasai.

In questioning, Tasai admitted receiving the money but denied wrongdoing, saying, "I didn’t intend to lie."

Police suspect Tasai defrauded about 70 people of a combined 2 billion yen through similar schemes and are continuing to question other victims as they work to uncover the full scope of the case.

Source: FNN

Typhoon No. 29 Brings High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Very strong Typhoon No. 29 (Koguma) was moving north near the Ogasawara Islands on the evening of October 11, bringing the risk of high waves and powerful swells along Japan's Pacific coast, particularly around the Izu Islands and coastal areas of the Kanto region, despite expectations of limited direct impacts from the storm. At 9 p.m. on October 11, the typhoon had a central atmospheric pressure of 950 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 45 meters per second near its center, maintaining its classification as a very strong typhoon. It was moving north at approximately 15 kilometers per hour.

Record-Strong El Nino Expected to Bring Warm Winter to Japan

Japan is expected to experience a warmer-than-normal winter as the El Nino phenomenon currently affecting the Pacific Ocean has reached its strongest level on record, with the Japan Meteorological Agency announcing on October 10th that unusually high sea surface temperatures are likely to persist through the coming winter months.

Otsu Festival Parades Elaborate Floats Following UNESCO Recognition

The Otsu Festival, one of Shiga Prefecture's three major traditional festivals, was held in Otsu City on October 11th, featuring a procession of 13 elaborately decorated floats carrying traditional mechanical puppets through the streets, following the festival's addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December last year.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Two Killed, Eight Injured in Osaka Danjiri Festival Accidents

Two men were killed and eight others injured in separate accidents involving traditional danjiri festival floats in Osaka Prefecture on October 10, including one incident in which a float overturned while making a sharp turn, crushing a participant beneath it.

Most Sightings of Fugitive Yoichi Hatta Reported in Kanto

Police in Oita Prefecture have revealed that the Kanto region accounts for the largest number of reported sightings of Yoichi Hatta, a fugitive wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident in Beppu in 2022, with authorities preparing to distribute new wanted posters nationwide from November as the search enters its fifth year.