Society

Japan's 'evaporated' people: Inside an industry that helps people disappear

Mar 19 (South China Morning Post) - In Japan, as some 80,000 people go missing every year, according to data from the National Police Agency. Some are later found, but others vanish completely, becoming what’s described as an "evaporated person" or johatsu-sha.

Rising Prices Hit Japan's Festivals: Ice Shavings and Goldfish Scooping Costs Surge

The impact of rising prices is being felt at summer festivals, with essential items like ice shavings and goldfish scooping seeing significant price increases.

Heavy Rain Hits Akita, Bridge Collapses

Japan's northern Akita Prefecture experienced a torrential deluge Friday, causing major flooding and the collapse of a bridge in Kamikoani Village.

Air Con Thefts 'Not Cool'

Theft of air conditioner outdoor units has surged as Japan's heatwave continues, leaving some businesses unable to run critical cooling systems.

Second Death of Hyogo Prefectural Employee Uncovered

As power harassment allegations against the governor of Hyogo Prefecture continue to swirl, it has been revealed that another prefectural employee has passed away, with the prefecture delaying a formal announcement of the death by 3 months.

Osaka Tops Japan's Urban Power Rankings

Osaka has topped the 'Japan Urban Power Rankings' for the fourth consecutive year. Conducted by Mori Building's think tank, the ranking evaluates 136 cities across Japan in six categories, including economy, culture, and environment.

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Men's Cafe Manager Arrested for Introducing Women to Illegal Businesses

A manager of a men's concept cafe in Tokyo's Akihabara district has been arrested on suspicion of violating the Employment Security Act by introducing female customers to illegal men's massage parlors to pay off high bills.

Japanese Man Caught Smuggling Hundreds of Scorpions and Spiders

A Japanese man has been detained at a Thai airport for attempting to smuggle over 200 more scorpions, spiders, and other insects than he declared.

Osaka Tops Japan's Urban Power Rankings

Kabukicho Host Clubs Expand into Osaka

Osaka's Minami district, a prominent entertainment area in western Japan, is experiencing a significant shift in its host club industry. Every night, patrons and hosts engage in strategic interactions, but recently, a noticeable change has emerged: an influx of host clubs from Tokyo's Kabukicho district.

Japan's Population Shrinks by 530,000

Japan's total population stood at 124.88 million as of January 1 this year, a decrease of over 530,000 from the previous year, further accelerating the trend of a declining birthrate and aging population.

Raccoons Infesting Tokyo’s Neighborhoods

The number of raccoons captured in Tokyo is on the rise. These animals, increasingly making homes in residential areas, have even been found raising their young in attics.

UFO-Style Traffic Light to be Removed

The last three 'UFO-style' traffic lights in Japan, which appear to hover like UFOs, will be removed by the end of this month due to aging.

Osaka to Install Street Lights to Combat Prostitution

In an effort to curb street solicitation, commonly known as "tachinbo," in Osaka's Umeda district, police and local authorities have decided to install new street lights and implement other measures. This decision aims to address the issue of illegal prostitution activities that have led to over 20 arrests in the past year.

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