Social News(2024/10/21)
Suspect arrested for repeatedly making fictitious transactions on illegal part-time job flea market app
2024-10-21 22:37:00
A 26-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of computer fraud for repeatedly making fictitious transactions on a flea market app using other people's credit card information. The National Police Agency and other joint investigation headquarters are investigating the case, believing that a group led by the suspect used "illegal part-time jobs" to repeatedly make fictitious transactions on the app, defrauding a total of more than 100 million yen.
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Two new suspects arrested in Rolex theft case, Osaka suspected of being masterminds
2024-10-21 22:30:00
In the case of the three men arrested in Osaka for stealing a delivery vehicle carrying luxury Rolex watches worth about 280 million yen, police on the 21st arrested two more suspects, including a 55-year-old man, on suspicion of theft. They are believed to be the leaders of the group.
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Voice actors and others raise awareness about the creation of rules for AI to create voices and other content without permission
2024-10-21 21:14:00
A group of volunteer voice actors has released an educational video calling for the creation of rules regarding audio and video that is created without permission using generative AI.
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60% of casualties caused by floods in small and medium-sized rivers; hazard maps for cities and towns not published
2024-10-21 20:10:00
Torrential rains on the 21st of last month left 14 people dead and one person missing in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture. After working with experts to investigate the circumstances of the 15 people affected, it was found that 60% of the damage was caused by "flooding of small and medium-sized rivers," and that none of the damage was reported in areas that were listed as risk or were not included in city or town hazard maps. An expert pointed out, "There are many small and medium-sized rivers flowing through mountainous areas throughout the country, so this disaster is no small thing. Even if a river is not listed on a hazard map, it is important to assume that low-lying areas near the river may be at risk of flooding and to prepare accordingly."
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Three people, including a 14-year-old junior high school student, arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery in Yamaguchi, where they did not know each other
2024-10-21 20:00:00
Three people, including a 14-year-old junior high school student and two high school students who said they were 16 and 18 years old, were arrested on suspicion of preparing to rob a house in Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The three did not know each other and said they were from Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures, so police are investigating the possibility that they may be an "anonymous, floating crime group" that gathers perpetrators on social media and repeats various crimes.
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Redevelopment of Meiji Shrine Gaien: Tokyo will not ask developer to resubmit procedures, trees to be cut down
2024-10-21 19:54:00
Following the submission of a revised plan to preserve trees in the redevelopment of Tokyo's Meiji Shrine Gaien, the metropolitan government has decided not to ask the developer to go through the environmental impact assessment process again. The developer will therefore start cutting down trees as soon as they are ready.
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Police investigating whether 27,000 pre-harvest kiwis were stolen in Itoshima, Fukuoka
2024-10-21 19:18:00
In Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, where kiwi fruit production is thriving, a large amount of unharvested fruit was found missing from a field. The missing fruit is thought to be about 27,000 pieces, and the police are investigating the case as a theft.
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Fraudulent receipt of IT implementation subsidies rampant; funds recycled through "effectively free" business
2024-10-21 19:08:00
The Board of Audit's investigation into subsidies to support the introduction of IT tools for small and medium-sized enterprises revealed that in 35% of cases, funds were kicked back from the companies that supplied the systems, and that over a quarter of these were determined to be subsidy fraud. As unscrupulous companies that advertised services that were "effectively free" encouraged these companies to commit fraud, the Board of Audit called on the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency and other organizations to conduct additional investigations into the total of over 5.8 billion yen involved with these companies, and to have them promptly return the fraudulently received subsidies.
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Redevelopment of Meiji Shrine Gaien: Tokyo will not ask developer to resubmit procedures, trees to be cut down
2024-10-21 18:41:00
Following the submission of a revised plan to preserve trees in the redevelopment of Tokyo's Meiji Shrine Gaien, the metropolitan government has decided not to ask the developer to go through the environmental impact assessment process again, meaning tree cutting will begin in the future.
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Suspect in Yokohama robbery-murder case: "Applies for a 'white case' post"
2024-10-21 18:37:00
In a case in which a 75-year-old man was murdered and his cash stolen at a home in Yokohama, the suspect arrested on suspicion of robbery-murder as the perpetrator has stated during questioning that he "saw a post on social media titled 'white job' and applied, but ended up becoming an accomplice to a crime," according to interviews with the police.
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Women's gymnastics coach Chieko Tsukahara dies at age 77
2024-10-21 18:34:00
Chieko Tsukahara, who led Japan's women's gymnastics team for many years and competed in the 1968 Mexico Olympics, passed away last month. She was 77 years old.
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The final lottery for the Tokyo Olympics Athletes Village renovation "Harumi Flag" also saw high odds
2024-10-21 18:29:00
The final lottery to decide the buyers of the tower apartments scheduled to be completed next year at "Harumi Flag," a complex of apartments renovated from the Tokyo Olympic Athletes' Village, was held. According to the sales company, the most popular room had a 241-to-1 ratio, approaching the highest ratio in the past.
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Tokyo metropolitan area: Average price of newly built apartments in the first half of the year reaches record high, but number of units remains at record low
2024-10-21 18:05:00
The average price per unit of new condominiums released in the Tokyo metropolitan area in the first half of this fiscal year, from April to September, reached a record high of 79.53 million yen, while the number of units released was the lowest ever.
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"Not allowing separate surnames for married couples is unconstitutional": lawsuit seeking compensation from government begins in Sapporo
2024-10-21 18:04:00
A lawsuit has begun at the Sapporo District Court, in which a common-law couple living in Sapporo is seeking compensation from the government, claiming that the Civil Code provision that does not allow married couples to have different surnames violates the Constitution. The plaintiffs argued that "the current situation in which a couple cannot marry unless one spouse gives up their surname violates the dignity of individuals." Meanwhile, the government has indicated that it will fight the case.
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What happened in the Tsukada River when the flow changed drastically? Houses built to new earthquake resistance standards are at risk of collapsing
2024-10-21 18:01:00
Experts analyzed the situation in the Tsukada River in Wajima City, where a house was washed away and four people were killed in the recent torrential rain disaster, and found that the flow speed was over 5 meters per second, which is equivalent to about 20 kilometers per hour, and the water depth was 2 to 3 meters, which is a force that could cause the collapse of even sturdy houses that meet the new earthquake resistance standards. Experts point out the importance of early evacuation, as the same thing could happen to small and medium-sized rivers flowing through mountainous areas across the country.
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Ontake eruption: Second trial rejects claims by bereaved families seeking compensation from government
2024-10-21 17:55:00
In a lawsuit filed by bereaved families and others claiming that it was illegal for the government to have failed to raise the eruption alert level in advance of the Mount Ontake eruption 10 years ago, which resulted in 63 deaths and missing people and became the worst volcanic disaster since the war, the Tokyo High Court, in its second instance, has dismissed the lawsuit, following the first instance.
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Ontake eruption: Second trial rejects claims by bereaved families seeking compensation from government
2024-10-21 17:06:00
In a lawsuit filed by bereaved families and others claiming that it was illegal for the government to have failed to raise the eruption alert level in advance of the Mount Ontake eruption 10 years ago, which resulted in 63 deaths and missing people and became the worst volcanic disaster since the war, the Tokyo High Court, in its second instance, has dismissed the lawsuit, following the first instance.
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Suspect arrested for "Molotov cocktail" at LDP headquarters may have used "tear gas"
2024-10-21 16:12:00
On the 19th, in front of the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo, a 49-year-old suspect threw what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail, then drove his car into a fence in front of the Prime Minister's official residence, and was arrested. Interviews with investigators have revealed that the suspect used something like tear gas at the scene in front of the LDP headquarters. The Metropolitan Police Department believes that the suspect had carefully prepared multiple means of attack and is currently investigating the motive and details of the incident.
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Earthquake and heavy rains cause "double damage" to about 20% of small and medium-sized businesses in Suzu, Ishikawa
2024-10-21 16:05:00
In Ishikawa Prefecture, there are areas that have been doubly affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January and the torrential rains last month, and it has been found that small and medium-sized businesses have also suffered similar damage. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Suzu City conducted a survey of its member businesses and found that of the 280 or so businesses that were identified, approximately 20% had suffered "doubly affected."
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Ontake eruption: Second trial rejects claims by bereaved families seeking compensation from government
2024-10-21 15:39:00
In a lawsuit filed by bereaved families and others claiming that they suffered damage because the government did not raise the eruption alert level in advance of the Mount Ontake eruption 10 years ago, which resulted in 63 deaths and missing and became the worst volcanic disaster since the war, the Tokyo High Court, in its second instance, has handed down a ruling dismissing the lawsuit, following on from the first instance.
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First fighter landing test on the MSDF's large destroyer "Kaga"
2024-10-21 15:24:00
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's large escort ship Kaga, which is currently undergoing a refit to essentially turn it into an aircraft carrier, conducted its first fighter jet landing test.
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First ice and frost observed in Morioka City
2024-10-21 15:18:00
Some parts of Iwate Prefecture experienced the coldest weather of the season through the morning of the 21st, and the Meteorological Observatory announced that the first ice and frost were observed in Morioka City. Compared to average years, the first ice was observed 10 days earlier, and the first frost was observed 5 days earlier.
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Evacuation notice for elderly people and others issued throughout Kimotsuki Town, Kagoshima
2024-10-21 15:15:00
The town of Kimotsuki in Kagoshima Prefecture issued an evacuation notice for the elderly and others to 7,652 households and 14,241 people throughout the town at 2:30 p.m., citing the risk of landslides due to heavy rain. This corresponds to level 3 of the five-level alert level, and calls on the elderly and people with disabilities to begin evacuating.
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81 years since the send-off ceremony for students mobilized for war: Commemorating the young people who lost their lives in the Pacific War
2024-10-21 15:04:00
A ceremony to commemorate the victims was held in Tokyo on October 21st, marking 81 years since the send-off ceremony for student soldiers, many of whom were sent to battle during the Pacific War.
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Record-breaking rainfall near Kimotsuki Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, threatening disaster
2024-10-21 14:54:00
Due to the influence of humid air, rain clouds developed locally in southern Kyushu, and it is believed that torrential rain of more than 120 mm per hour fell near Kimotsuki Town in Kagoshima Prefecture. Please be on high alert for flooding in low-lying areas and landslides.
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Ontake eruption: Second trial rejects claims by bereaved families seeking compensation from government
2024-10-21 14:45:00
In a lawsuit filed by bereaved families and others claiming that they suffered damage because the government did not raise the eruption alert level in advance of the Mount Ontake eruption 10 years ago, which resulted in 63 deaths and missing and became the worst volcanic disaster since the war, the Tokyo High Court, in its second instance, has handed down a ruling dismissing the lawsuit, following on from the first instance.
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Prefectural police chief apologizes to Iwao Hakamada: "I'm sorry for the trouble and burden this has caused you"
2024-10-21 14:09:00
Following the acquittal of Iwao Hakamada in a retrial of the murder of a family of four in Shizuoka Prefecture 58 years ago, Shizuoka Prefectural Police Chief Takayoshi Tsuda visited Hakamada's home in Hamamatsu City and apologized to him, saying, "I am sorry for causing you so much distress and stress, which cannot be put into words."
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44-year-old suspect arrested for driving under the influence of stimulants in Higashikurume, Tokyo
2024-10-21 13:39:00
In September, a 44-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing injury and hit-and-run after he was driving a car while under the influence of stimulants in Higashikurume City, Tokyo, causing an accident resulting in death and two people being injured and fleeing the scene.
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Kyoko Matsumoto, abducted by North Korea 47 years ago, reveals diary for the first time
2024-10-21 13:25:00
October 21 marks 47 years since Kyoko Matsumoto of Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, was abducted by North Korea. For the first time, her brother Meng has made public the diary that Kyoko used until just before she was abducted, and has called for his sister's return to Japan as soon as possible, saying that her everyday life has been taken away for 47 years.
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Prefectural police chief apologizes to Iwao Hakamada: "I'm sorry for the trouble and burden this has caused you"
2024-10-21 13:09:00
Following the acquittal of Iwao Hakamada in a retrial of the murder of a family of four in Shizuoka Prefecture 58 years ago, Shizuoka Prefectural Police Chief Takayoshi Tsuda visited Hakamada's home in Hamamatsu City and apologized to him, saying, "I am sorry for causing you so much distress and stress, which cannot be put into words."
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Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary: "We will take every possible measure to protect important people" in response to the "Molotov cocktail incident"
2024-10-21 12:30:00
Following the incident on the 19th in which what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo and a car crashed into the fence of the Prime Minister's Official Residence, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Aoki stated that acts of violence will never be tolerated and expressed his intention to take all possible measures to ensure security and protection of VIPs across the country.
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Three partially skeletal bodies found in a house in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. Three family members.
2024-10-21 12:13:00
On the 20th, three partially skeletal bodies were found in a house in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. The Metropolitan Police Department believes that the bodies are those of a family of three who lived in the house and had been unable to be contacted, and is currently investigating the details of the incident while confirming their identities.
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Prefectural police chief apologizes to Iwao Hakamada: "I'm sorry for the trouble and burden this has caused you"
2024-10-21 12:04:00
Following the acquittal of Iwao Hakamada in a retrial of the murder of a family of four in Shizuoka Prefecture 58 years ago, Shizuoka Prefectural Police Chief Takayoshi Tsuda visited Hakamada's home in Hamamatsu City and apologized to him, saying, "I am sorry for causing you so much distress and stress, which cannot be put into words."
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Ishikawa: One month after the Noto heavy rain disaster, memorials held across the country; search for missing continues
2024-10-21 12:00:00
It has been one month since the heavy rain disaster in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture on the 21st. Searches for missing people are continuing in the affected areas, and memorials are being held in various places.
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Evacuation orders issued to 73 people in 44 households in Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture as rain intensifies in some areas
2024-10-21 11:49:00
Due to the influence of warm and humid air, rain clouds have developed locally in Miyazaki Prefecture, and the rain is getting stronger. The city of Kushima in Miyazaki Prefecture issued evacuation orders to 73 people in 44 households in the Kaihoku, Futo, and Fufuura districts at 11:10 a.m., citing the increasing risk of disasters due to heavy rain. The information corresponds to level 4 out of 5 alert levels, and calls for everyone to evacuate from dangerous areas.
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Yokohama robbery-murder case perpetrator "was on the phone with the commander throughout the incident"
2024-10-21 11:48:00
In a case in which a 75-year-old man was murdered and his cash stolen from a home in Yokohama, the suspect arrested on suspicion of robbery-murder as the perpetrator has stated that he was "on the phone the whole time with the person giving instructions using a communication app" when he broke into the home, according to interviews with investigators.
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Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare to continue subsidies for employment adjustment following Noto Peninsula earthquake next year and beyond
2024-10-21 06:53:00
On the 20th, Governor Hasi of Ishikawa Prefecture met with Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Fukuoka, who had visited the disaster-stricken areas of the Noto region. Minister Fukuoka approved the extension of the special measures for employment adjustment subsidies requested by Wakura Onsen in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and other areas, and announced his intention to take measures to allow the subsidies to continue to be received after January next year.
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One month after heavy rains hit Noto region of Ishikawa, more than 400 people remain in evacuation shelters
2024-10-21 04:23:00
It has been one month since the heavy rain disaster in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture on the 21st. Many people in the affected areas have suffered a second disaster, following the earthquake in January of this year, and over 400 people are still living in evacuation shelters, so continued support is needed.
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Suspect in Yokohama robbery-murder case: "Applies for a 'white case' post"
2024-10-21 00:05:00
In a case in which a 75-year-old man was murdered and his cash stolen at a home in Yokohama, the suspect arrested on suspicion of robbery-murder as the perpetrator has stated during questioning that he "saw a post on social media titled 'white job' and applied, but ended up becoming an accomplice to a crime," according to interviews with the police.
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