Social News(2024/06/13)
Kagoshima Prefectural Police document leak: Representative who was searched sends complaint document
2024-06-13 22:02:00
In a case where a police sergeant from Kagoshima Prefectural Police was indicted on charges of leaking internal criminal case documents to a third party, the representative of an online media company that was searched as a related party sent a letter of complaint to the prefectural police on the 13th. Despite the company's refusal, data was erased from the confiscated computer, and the company stated that "it is unacceptable to jeopardize reporting activities in this way."
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Iwao Hakamada's sister Hideko and others appeal for legal reform regarding retrials
2024-06-13 21:55:00
On the 13th, Hideko Hakamada, the older sister of Iwao Hakamada, who is currently undergoing a retrial for the murder of a family of four in Shizuoka Prefecture 58 years ago, attended a general meeting of a cross-party group of Diet members and called for the law regarding retrials to be revised in order to ensure swift relief.
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Almost six months since the Noto Peninsula earthquake: The decision to stay in their hometown is looming
2024-06-13 20:58:00
It has been almost six months since the Noto Peninsula earthquake, but more than 1,000 people are still living in evacuation centers and secondary evacuation sites in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. As evacuation life drags on, some people are faced with the decision of whether to remain in their disaster-hit hometowns or leave and rebuild their lives in a new place.
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"Let's prevent isolation": "Danchi Tsuushin" published at temporary housing complex in Anamizu Town, Ishikawa
2024-06-13 20:00:00
In an effort to prevent people affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and others from becoming isolated in their temporary housing, a temporary housing complex in Anamizu Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, began publishing a "Danchi Tsuushin" newsletter in June to provide information on what is happening within the complex and on recovery efforts.
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Asahikawa high school girl murder suspects assault high school student who tried to escape
2024-06-13 19:44:00
In a case in which two suspects in their teens and twenties were arrested for allegedly pushing a 17-year-old high school girl from Rumoi City, Hokkaido, off a bridge and killing her, interviews with investigators have revealed that the suspects confined the girl in a car and took her to the bridge, where they assaulted her when she tried to escape.
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Number of people infected with "severe hemolytic streptococcal infection" in Tokyo reaches record high
2024-06-13 19:32:00
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is calling for caution, as the number of people infected with fulminant hemolytic streptococcal infection, which can cause nausea and vomiting of the limbs and can be fatal, has reached the highest number since statistics began being kept.
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A 35-year-old suspect on probation brought a knife to his probation officer on an interview day
2024-06-13 19:31:00
In a case where a 35-year-old suspect on probation was arrested for murdering a male probation officer at a house in Otsu City, police interviews have revealed that there was no evidence of a knife being taken from the man's house where the murder occurred. Police are investigating the possibility that the suspect committed the crime with a knife he brought with him on the day of his interview with the probation officer.
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US military live exercise: US fighter jets conduct first drills at Self-Defense Force bases in Aomori and Miyagi
2024-06-13 19:25:00
The large-scale live-fire exercise that the U.S. military conducts every two years in the Pacific region was held in Japan for the first time, and on the 13th, training was conducted at Self-Defense Force bases in Aomori and Miyagi prefectures, with U.S. fighter jets deployed.
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Four non-life insurance companies to investigate "inappropriate practices" behind leak of personal information
2024-06-13 19:04:00
In response to the issue of four major non-life insurance companies leaking personal information of policyholders to competitors, the General Insurance Association of Japan has announced its intention to investigate the cause of the incident and determine whether there were any inappropriate practices in the industry.
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Former Singaporean Embassy counselor in Japan referred to prosecutors on suspicion of voyeurism
2024-06-13 18:55:00
A former counselor at the Singapore Embassy in Japan was referred to prosecutors for taking upskirt photos at a public bath in Tokyo in February this year while he was still in office. The former counselor came to Japan in June at the request of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and underwent voluntary questioning. It is unusual for a diplomat who has returned to his home country to cooperate with a police investigation into misconduct during his tenure.
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Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito: "Responses such as construction of evacuation roads" regarding Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant
2024-06-13 18:27:00
Regarding the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, which the government is aiming to restart, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito met with Niigata Governor Hanazumi and expressed the government's intention to work hard together to improve evacuation roads in the event of a disaster, in response to requests from local residents.
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Former school principal sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for 3-year-old girl left behind on school bus
2024-06-13 18:23:00
In the trial of the incident in September 2022, when a 3-year-old girl was left behind on a school bus at a certified child care center in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and died of severe heat stroke, the prosecution sought a prison sentence of two years and six months for the then-director of the center, who was charged with professional negligence resulting in death, and one year in prison for the former class teacher.
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Tokyo District Court rules to revoke reduction in welfare payments
2024-06-13 18:18:00
In a lawsuit filed by Tokyo residents against the national and local governments over the gradual reduction in public assistance payments since 2013, which forced them to live below the minimum standard, the Tokyo District Court handed down a ruling to revoke the reduction in benefits. According to the legal team, this is the 18th ruling to point out the illegality of the national government's decision to reduce public assistance payments.
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Tohoku Electric Power unveils some of the safety measures for the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2, which it is aiming to restart
2024-06-13 18:12:00
Tohoku Electric Power Co. has revealed to the press some of the safety measures being taken in preparation for a serious accident at Unit 2 of the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant in Miyagi Prefecture, which the company aims to restart around September of this year.
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Metropolitan Police Department conducts large-scale drills to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters, incorporating "mutual aid" activities
2024-06-13 18:07:00
The Metropolitan Police Department conducted a large-scale drill in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, simulating a disaster such as an earthquake. A new activity was introduced, which involves local residents helping each other in the event of a disaster, and residents took part in rescue efforts for injured people under the direction of police officers.
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Mrs. GREEN APPLE's new music video suspended due to criticism
2024-06-13 17:50:00
The music video for a new song released by the popular three-piece band Mrs. GREEN APPLE on the night of the 12th was criticized on social media for its discriminatory content. Their record company then removed the video and apologized, saying that it "contained expressions that lacked understanding of historical and cultural background."
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Ishikawa Suzu Annual "Suzu Pottery Festival" canceled due to earthquake
2024-06-13 17:49:00
The annual Suzu Pottery Festival, where artists of the traditional craft of Suzu ware from Suzu City in Ishikawa Prefecture and other areas gather to exhibit and sell their works, has been canceled this year due to the effects of the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
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Former House of Representatives lawmakers' lawyers arrested for illegally lending names to clients to provide legal advice
2024-06-13 17:38:00
A former member of the House of Representatives and lawyer was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of violating the Lawyers Act by illegally lending his name to victims of fraud cases in order to solicit consultations and receive retainer fees. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department also arrested 10 members of a group that used the lawyer's name, and is investigating the possibility that he received 500 million yen in retainer fees from approximately 900 victims of fraud.
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Two large dogs that had been on the run since the night of the 8th were captured, no injuries in Tochigi
2024-06-13 17:30:00
On the 8th, two large dogs of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed escaped from their owner's car in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture. They were found one after the other in the city on the 13th, and both were detained by the police.
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Police conduct rescue training using heavy machinery in response to Noto Peninsula earthquake in Koganei, Tokyo
2024-06-13 17:29:00
Based on the lessons learned from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, police officers conducted rescue training using heavy machinery in Koganei City, Tokyo.
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A 14-year-old junior high school student was arrested for sexually assaulting a female student at a shopping center in Yashio, Saitama.
2024-06-13 17:29:00
A 14-year-old junior high school student was arrested for taking an elementary school girl into a restroom at a shopping center in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, and sexually assaulting her.
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Ishikawa: Heatwaves intensify in disaster-hit areas, Wajima experiences midsummer heat from morning
2024-06-13 17:27:00
In Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the maximum temperature as of 11:00 a.m. on the 13th was 30.9 degrees, already a "midsummer day," and people were seen walking around with parasols to avoid the sun.
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Survey of Japanese rock ptarmigan habitat begins in southern Northern Alps for the first time in nine years in Nagano
2024-06-13 17:20:00
In an effort to understand the habitat status of the endangered Japanese rock ptarmigan, Nagano Prefecture has begun a habitat survey in the southern Northern Alps for the first time in nine years, using funds raised through crowdfunding.
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Former House of Representatives lawmakers' lawyers arrested for illegally lending names to clients to provide legal advice
2024-06-13 17:01:00
A former member of the House of Representatives and lawyer was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of violating the Lawyers Act by illegally lending his name to victims of fraud cases in order to solicit consultations and receive retainer fees. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department also arrested 10 members of a group that used the lawyer's name, and is investigating the possibility that he received 500 million yen in retainer fees from approximately 900 victims of fraud.
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Mrs. GREEN APPLE's new music video suspended due to criticism
2024-06-13 16:50:00
The music video for a new song released by the popular three-piece band Mrs. GREEN APPLE on the night of the 12th was criticized on social media for its discriminatory content. Their record company then removed the video and apologized, saying that it "contained expressions that lacked understanding of historical and cultural background."
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Former school principal sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for 3-year-old girl left behind on school bus
2024-06-13 16:37:00
In the trial of the incident in September 2022, when a 3-year-old girl was left behind on a school bus at a certified child care center in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and died of severe heat stroke, the prosecution sought a prison sentence of two years and six months for the then-director of the center, who was charged with professional negligence resulting in death, and one year in prison for the former class teacher.
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Former head of Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward found guilty in bid-rigging case Tokyo District Court
2024-06-13 16:34:00
The Tokyo District Court handed down a suspended sentence to a former Chiyoda Ward director who was charged with violating the Anti-Bid Rigging Act for leaking information about bidding for construction work ordered by the ward to a contractor, citing that he had "damaged the trust of the ward's residents."
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"Japan's version of DBS" bill to check sex offender history questioned at House of Councillors Cabinet Committee
2024-06-13 16:33:00
The House of Councillors Cabinet Committee questioned and answered experts on a bill to introduce a "Japanese version of DBS," a system to check whether people working with children have a history of sexual offences, and opinions were exchanged on the implementation structure and countermeasures that should be taken after the system is introduced.
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Man from Fukui recounts his terrifying experience of staring down a bear in his garden for 10 minutes
2024-06-13 16:32:00
A man from Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, expressed his shock and fear when a bear appeared in his garden and stared at him for about 10 minutes on June 9th. There have been a series of bear sightings in the surrounding area, and the city is calling for caution.
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Car crashes into building on roadside and overturns, driver dies, Mie Kuwana
2024-06-13 16:27:00
On the afternoon of the 13th, a car crashed into a building on the side of the road in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, and overturned, killing the male driver.
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Construction begins on Yamanashi side to install gate to manage number of climbers at Mount Fuji's 5th station
2024-06-13 16:20:00
On the Yamanashi Prefecture side of Mount Fuji, where a limit on the number of daily climbers will be imposed from July 1st, construction to install gates to manage the number of climbers began on the 13th.
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Ishin and Education: Bill to advance free education submitted jointly to the House of Representatives
2024-06-13 16:16:00
The Japan Restoration Party and the Association for Realizing Free Education have jointly submitted a bill to the House of Representatives that aims to make education free for everyone, from infants to university students.
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Two large dogs that had been on the run since the night of the 8th were captured, no injuries in Tochigi
2024-06-13 15:27:00
On the 8th, two large dogs of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed escaped from their owner's car in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture. They were found one after the other in the city on the 13th, and both were detained by the police.
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"Men who lost their wives in work-related accidents should be given unrestricted survivor pensions" - a stance that fights the government
2024-06-13 15:17:00
A man who lost his wife in a work-related accident has filed a lawsuit against the government, claiming that it is unfair that he is denied survivor compensation pension under the law. The law does not have an age limit for wives, but husbands under the age of 54 cannot receive the pension. The man claims that this is "unfair discrimination," and the government has indicated that it will fight the case.
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Yamanote Line, Saikyo Line, and Shonan-Shinjuku Line all resume operation
2024-06-13 15:16:00
According to JR East, the Yamanote Line's inner loop, Saikyo Line, and Shonan-Shinjuku Line, which had been suspended due to a personal injury accident, all resumed operations on the full line by 2:49 p.m.
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Safety devices to prevent children being left behind on school buses: Why are children still forgotten to get off after being installed?
2024-06-13 14:35:00
"Please check the interior of the vehicle." An alarm sounds repeatedly on school buses, continuing until a button at the rear of the vehicle is pressed. The safety device has been made mandatory for kindergarten and other shuttle buses to prevent accidents in which children are left behind and die from heatstroke or other causes. It is estimated that the installation rate has reached 100% so far. However, even in kindergartens that have installed the safety device, there have been cases of children being forgotten to get off the bus. With summer approaching, we have summarized the background and current state of countermeasures to explain why this is happening.
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Cherries from Higashine, Yamagata, sell for 1.45 million yen per kilogram at Toyosu Market, a record high
2024-06-13 14:34:00
On the morning of the 13th, an auction for branded cherries from Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture, was held at Toyosu Market in Tokyo, with the most expensive cherries sold for a record high of 1.45 million yen per kilogram.
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Yamanote Line inner loop and Saikyo Line suspended due to fatal accident at Shibuya Station
2024-06-13 14:19:00
According to JR East, due to the fatal accident at Shibuya Station, the Yamanote Line has suspended all inner-bound train services since 2:00 p.m. In addition, the Saikyo Line has suspended both inbound and outbound train services between Osaki and Omiya stations, and the Shonan-Shinjuku Line has suspended both inbound and outbound train services between Shinjuku and Odawara stations.
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A 77-year-old man from Matsudo, Chiba, was defrauded of about 100 million yen through false investment stories posted on social media.
2024-06-13 13:05:00
A 77-year-old man from Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, was deceived after believing a false investment story from a person he met on social media and transferring about 100 million yen in cash. The police are urging people to be suspicious of scams if they are approached by someone they met on social media about investing.
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Northern Alps Yakedake mountain hut opening postponed due to increase in volcanic earthquakes
2024-06-13 13:02:00
Due to an increase in volcanic earthquakes at Mount Yakedake in the Northern Alps on the border between Nagano and Gifu prefectures, Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture has decided to postpone the opening of a mountain hut it operates, which was scheduled for June 18th.
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Ishikawa: Heatwaves intensify in disaster-hit areas, Wajima experiences midsummer heat from morning
2024-06-13 12:41:00
In Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the maximum temperature as of 11:00 a.m. on the 13th was 30.9 degrees, already a "midsummer day," and people were seen walking around with parasols to avoid the sun.
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Former Singaporean Embassy counselor in Japan referred to prosecutors on suspicion of voyeurism
2024-06-13 12:40:00
A former counselor at the Singapore Embassy in Japan was referred to prosecutors for taking upskirt photos at a public bath in Tokyo in February this year while he was still in office. The former counselor came to Japan in June at the request of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and underwent voluntary questioning. It is unusual for a diplomat who has returned to his home country to cooperate with a police investigation into misconduct during his tenure.
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Former House of Representatives lawmakers' lawyers arrested for illegally lending names to clients to provide legal advice
2024-06-13 12:38:00
A former member of the House of Representatives and lawyer was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of violating the Lawyers Act by illegally lending his name to victims of fraud cases in order to solicit consultations and receive retainer fees. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department also arrested 10 members of a group that used the lawyer's name, and is investigating the possibility that he received 500 million yen in retainer fees from approximately 900 victims of fraud.
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80th anniversary of schoolchild evacuation: A Tokyo elementary school student talks about the time when he was evacuated to Yamagata
2024-06-13 12:36:00
During the Pacific War, many children began to be evacuated from Tokyo to other regions due to the intense air raids. An elementary school in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, invited people who had been evacuated and people related to Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, where the group was evacuated, to hold an event to learn about the situation at the time and about peace.
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One of two large dogs that escaped has been secured, the other is still missing in Tochigi
2024-06-13 12:32:00
On the 8th, two large dogs of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed escaped from their owner's car in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture. One of them was found on the grounds of a house in Tochigi City at around 8:20 a.m. on the 13th and was detained by the police. The other dog has not yet been found, and the police are continuing their search, while urging residents not to approach if they see it.
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Former graduate student sentenced to three years in prison for making bomb threats against two Tokyo universities
2024-06-13 12:32:00
Last January, the Tokyo District Court sentenced a former graduate student who was accused of sending faxes threatening bomb attacks to two universities in Tokyo to three years in prison, finding that he had "committed a series of illegal acts out of selfish motives."
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Oxygen absorber found in school lunch prepared by middle school in Yokohama, halting service to 5,700 students
2024-06-13 12:29:00
On the 10th of this month, oxygen absorbers were found to have been mixed into barley rice that was being prepared for school lunch at a junior high school in Yokohama, and the Board of Education suspended the provision of barley rice to approximately 5,700 students. On that day, most of the students had a school lunch without a staple food.
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Police Mutual Aid Association employee who leaked personal information has the right to view all pension subscribers
2024-06-13 12:00:00
In a case where an employee of the Chiba branch of the Police Mutual Aid Association, which provides pension benefits to retired police officers, was arrested for leaking personal information obtained from a system used for work, it was revealed through an interview with the association that the employee had the authority to view the information of all pension subscribers, not just those of the association. The police are investigating the case, believing that the employee misused his authority to obtain personal information.
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JMSDF helicopter crash: Unmanned probe to search for aircraft on seabed off Torishima
2024-06-13 11:47:00
In April of this year, two Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopters collided and crashed off the coast of the Izu Islands during training. In order to search for the aircraft and other remains believed to be sunk to the ocean floor at a depth of approximately 5,500 meters, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), at the request of the Ministry of Defense, will begin searching the ocean floor as early as next month using an unmanned exploration vehicle capable of exploring to a depth of 6,000 meters, according to interviews with related parties.
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Last year, 3,568 people were lost in mountain climbing, the highest number ever, with 145 foreigners also involved.
2024-06-13 11:08:00
Last year, 3,568 people were lost in mountains across the country, the highest number ever. With the summer mountain season approaching, the National Police Agency is calling on people to make safe plans and prepare sufficient equipment if they are going mountain climbing.
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Former Singaporean Embassy counselor in Japan referred to prosecutors on suspicion of voyeurism
2024-06-13 10:57:00
A former counselor at the Singapore Embassy in Japan was referred to prosecutors for taking upskirt photos at a public bath in Tokyo in February this year while he was still in office. The former counselor came to Japan in June at the request of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and underwent voluntary questioning. It is unusual for a diplomat who has returned to his home country to cooperate with a police investigation into misconduct during his tenure.
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Two arrested in Asahikawa high school girl murder case met the high school girl for the first time the day before the murder
2024-06-13 06:23:00
In April of this year, two suspects in their teens and twenties were arrested for the murder of a 17-year-old high school girl from Rumoi City, Hokkaido, by pushing her off a bridge into a river in the prefecture. It was revealed by an investigator that the two men met for the first time the day before the murder after getting into trouble with the high school girl over social media. The police are currently investigating the details of the incident, as they then confined her in a car and took her to the murder scene.
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Two remains found during Peleliu Island investigation: possible "mass grave" of Japanese soldiers
2024-06-13 06:20:00
During a survey of remains on Peleliu Island in Palau, a fierce battleground during the Pacific War, two sets of remains were found. The organization conducting the survey on behalf of the government believes that the remains may be a "mass grave" where around 1,000 Japanese soldiers were buried, and has decided to continue its investigation to identify the site.
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Akita City Fire Department: Record-breaking heavy rainfall in July last year: Over 600 calls, only 16.5% dispatched
2024-06-13 05:38:00
During the record-breaking heavy rains in July last year, the Akita City Fire Department received over 600 calls on the day a heavy rain warning was issued, more than 10 times the daily average for that year. However, it was revealed that firefighters were only able to respond to 16.5% of these calls.
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Side job site scam: Over 50 paper companies set up to avoid prosecution?
2024-06-13 05:09:00
In a case where a group operating a fake side job website was arrested for defrauding women who had registered on the website, claiming that they could be paid for simply giving advice on their lives, it was revealed through interviews with people involved in the investigation that the group had set up more than 50 paper companies and opened numerous corporate accounts in order to get women to transfer the money, claiming that it was a necessary expense. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the case, believing that the group was trying to avoid being pursued by law enforcement agencies through the accounts.
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Elementary school student suffers serious head injury after being trapped by fallen fence in Koshigaya, Saitama
2024-06-13 04:56:00
On the 12th, in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, a fence about 1 meter high that was installed at the boundary between a residential property and a road collapsed over a width of more than 14 meters, trapping an elementary school boy who was playing nearby. The boy is believed to have suffered serious head injuries, and the police are currently investigating the details of the incident.
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Former Singaporean Embassy counselor in Japan to be referred to prosecutors on suspicion of voyeurism
2024-06-13 04:00:00
A former counselor at the Singapore Embassy in Japan was reported for taking upskirt photos at a public bath in Tokyo in February this year while still in office. The former counselor did not cooperate with the investigation due to diplomatic privileges and returned to Japan, but interviews with people involved in the investigation revealed that he came to Japan in June at the request of the Metropolitan Police Department and underwent voluntary questioning. The Metropolitan Police Department plans to submit the documents to the prosecutor's office on the 13th.
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