Social News(2024/12/02)
Swedish military research institute signs agreement with Nagasaki University for academic exchange
2024-12-02 21:55:00
The director of a Swedish research institute that analyzes the global military situation and warns of the threat of nuclear weapons visited Nagasaki University and signed an agreement to promote academic exchange.
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A bear enters a trap set inside a supermarket in Akita and is captured and taken out of the store
2024-12-02 21:17:00
On November 30th, a bear attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City and then remained inside the store. Two full days later, on the morning of December 2nd, the bear was found in a box trap and was then carried out of the store in the afternoon.
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58-year-old man arrested in Saitama for firing air gun at elementary school student from roof of house, denies charges
2024-12-02 20:59:00
A 58-year-old suspect was arrested in Hidaka City, Saitama Prefecture on the 1st for firing an air gun at elementary school students from the roof of his house. He has denied the charges during questioning.
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Swedish military research institute signs agreement with Nagasaki University for academic exchange
2024-12-02 20:18:00
The director of a Swedish research institute that analyzes the global military situation and warns of the threat of nuclear weapons visited Nagasaki University and signed an agreement to promote academic exchange.
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Kyoto Sake Brewers Association: Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to a route that will not affect groundwater
2024-12-02 20:08:00
Regarding the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, a union made up of sake brewers in Kyoto Prefecture has called on the city of Kyoto and others to choose a route that will not affect the groundwater used in sake brewing.
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Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations to attend Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony to "communicate the reality of the atomic bombing"
2024-12-02 20:05:00
The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, which will be attending the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony to be held in Norway next week, held a press conference on the 2nd. Representative committee member Hiromi Tanaka, who will be giving a speech on site, said, "We want to convey the kind of damage that the atomic bomb causes," and expressed his desire to convey the reality of the bombing to people around the world.
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19-year-old arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault at convenience store in Wako, Saitama; charges denied
2024-12-02 20:00:00
In November, a 19-year-old suspect living in Tokyo was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault after he stole cash from a convenience store in Wako City, Saitama Prefecture, and then injured an employee in a scuffle. He is said to be denying the charges during questioning.
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe considers clarifying standards for businesses to remove "illegal part-time job" recruitment posts
2024-12-02 19:46:00
In order to strengthen measures against crimes committed through illegal part-time work, Prime Minister Ishiba has indicated his intention to consider clarifying standards so that social media operators can delete posts that hint at high rewards and recruit people to commit crimes.
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Huge "One Piece" illustration unveiled at Kumamoto Airport to help with earthquake recovery
2024-12-02 19:38:00
As part of a recovery project following the Kumamoto earthquake, a giant illustration by Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the popular manga "One Piece" and a native of Kumamoto City, was installed at Kumamoto Airport, and an unveiling ceremony was held on the 2nd.
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Measures to deal with aging tunnels and bridges: Nearly 90% of local governments are considering removing them
2024-12-02 19:29:00
Two days ago, it was 12 years since the collapse of the ceiling panels in the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture. As measures to prevent deterioration of tunnels and bridges nationwide are being implemented following the accident, a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism revealed that nearly 90% of local governments are considering removing infrastructure facilities.
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Investigation results: JSDF tanker makes emergency landing and damages caused by operator error
2024-12-02 19:25:00
In August of this year, an Air Self-Defense Force tanker made an emergency landing at the Air Self-Defense Force's Miho Base in Tottori Prefecture, causing the runway to be temporarily closed. The Air Self-Defense Force released the results of an investigation into the incident, which concluded that a crew member made an operational error during the aerial refueling, causing damage to part of the aircraft.
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This year's average autumn temperature is the highest in 126 years due to global warming
2024-12-02 19:22:00
The Japan Meteorological Agency has found that the average temperature across the country this autumn was the highest in the past 126 years.
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Kobayashi Pharmaceutical receives shareholder proposal from Hong Kong investment fund, including appointment of new outside directors
2024-12-02 19:17:00
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. has revealed that it has received a shareholder proposal from a Hong Kong investment fund, which owns more than 7% of the company's shares, calling for a reinvestigation of a series of issues surrounding supplements containing red yeast rice ingredients and for the appointment of new outside directors.
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Funai Electric Chairman opposes initiation of bankruptcy proceedings, applies for civil rehabilitation
2024-12-02 19:15:00
The chairman of Osaka-based home appliance manufacturer Funai Electric, which has received a decision from the court to start bankruptcy proceedings, said he opposed the start of the proceedings and filed for civil rehabilitation on the 2nd. This is an unusual development, as the company has already received a decision to start bankruptcy proceedings.
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A bear enters a trap set inside a supermarket in Akita and is captured and taken out of the store
2024-12-02 19:11:00
On November 30th, a bear attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City and then remained inside the store. Two full days later, on the morning of December 2nd, the bear was found in a box trap and was then carried out of the store in the afternoon.
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Osaka: Man found dead after being tied up with tape; one of suspects involved in restaurant opening plan
2024-12-02 19:00:00
In November, a 26-year-old man was found dead on a reef in Kaizuka City, Osaka, with both his ankles bound with tape, and three people were arrested for kidnapping and confining the man in a car two weeks prior. It was learned from an investigation that one of the people and the man had been planning to open a restaurant in Osaka. However, the restaurant has not yet opened, and the police are investigating whether it is related to the incident.
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Measures to deal with aging tunnels and bridges: Nearly 90% of local governments are considering removing them
2024-12-02 18:45:00
Two days ago, it was 12 years since the collapse of the ceiling panels in the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture. As measures to prevent deterioration of tunnels and bridges nationwide are being implemented following the accident, a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism revealed that nearly 90% of local governments are considering removing infrastructure facilities.
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Dump truck driver arrested for dangerous driving resulting in death and injury in Hiroshima accident that left four dead
2024-12-02 18:38:00
In November, a dump truck collided head-on with a passenger car on a bridge on a prefectural road in Hiroshima City, causing four deaths and injuries, and the police arrested the 59-year-old dump truck driver on suspicion of dangerous driving resulting in death or injury, for causing the accident by driving at twice the speed limit. During police questioning, the driver reportedly denied some of the charges, saying, "I don't agree with the part about dangerous driving."
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Japan Association of Corporate Executives Proposes Abolition of "Category 3 Insured Person System" "Cause of Wage Disparity"
2024-12-02 18:17:00
Regarding the "income barrier," the Japan Business Federation has put together a proposal calling for the abolition of the "third-category insured person system," which allows the spouses of company employees to receive a basic pension without paying insurance premiums until they reach a certain annual income, on the grounds that it is a major factor in the wage gap between men and women.
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Rubella: "Men of a generation who have not received regular vaccinations should take early action"
2024-12-02 18:16:00
Free antibody tests and vaccinations for rubella, which can cause birth defects if contracted during pregnancy, will end at the end of this fiscal year for men of a generation who do not receive regular vaccinations. Only about 30% of people have been tested, and on the 2nd, those who have been infected called for early action.
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"Futehodo" Wins Annual Grand Prize Announced for 2024 New Words and Popular Phrase Awards
2024-12-02 17:58:00
The 2024 New Words and Buzzwords Awards were announced on the 2nd, with the annual grand prize going to "Futehodo," an abbreviation of the commercial television drama "Futehodo mo Hodo ga Aru!", which comically depicts the protagonist who travels back in time from the Showa era to the Reiwa era and struggles despite being confused by the differences in values.
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Lawyer and university professor file complaint against Governor Saito's campaign over social media use in Hyogo gubernatorial election
2024-12-02 17:56:00
A lawyer and a university professor have mailed a complaint against Governor Saito, who was re-elected in the Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, and his PR company representative to the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office and other organizations, alleging that the contents of an article posted on a website by the representative of a PR company regarding the social media operations of the campaign team of Governor Saito, who was re-elected in the Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, are suspected of violating the Public Offices Election Act. The governor has stated that he "recognizes that there has been no violation of the law."
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List company referred to prosecutors for false reporting over customer information scandal at NTT West subsidiary
2024-12-02 17:53:00
In connection with the issue of customer information of companies in Okayama Prefecture being illegally taken out of a subsidiary of NTT West Japan, a list company that purchased the information was referred to prosecutors on the 2nd on suspicion of violating the Personal Information Protection Act for making false reports in response to an investigation by the government's Personal Information Protection Commission.
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A bear enters a trap set inside a supermarket in Akita and is captured and taken out of the store
2024-12-02 17:50:00
On November 30th, a bear attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City and then continued to remain inside the store. Two full days later, on the morning of December 2nd, the bear was found in a box trap and was carried out of the store just before 1:30 pm.
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New address of woman fleeing domestic violence accidentally leaked to husband in Osaka Daito
2024-12-02 17:44:00
The city of Daito in Osaka announced that a woman who had fled to the city after complaining of domestic violence from her husband had her new address mistakenly leaked to her husband when a resident in charge forgot to take the procedure to restrict the issuance of a family register certificate.
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Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations to attend Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony to "communicate the reality of the atomic bombing"
2024-12-02 17:41:00
The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, which will be attending the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony to be held in Norway next week, held a press conference on the 2nd. Representative committee member Hiromi Tanaka, who will be giving a speech on site, said, "We want to convey the kind of damage that the atomic bomb causes," and expressed his desire to convey the reality of the bombing to people around the world.
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JR companies to end sales of round-trip and consecutive tickets in March of next year
2024-12-02 17:35:00
JR companies have announced that they will end sales of "round-trip tickets," paper tickets that offer discounted fares for long-distance travel on the same route, in March of next year.
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New supercomputer dedicated to astronomy begins operation at National Astronomical Observatory
2024-12-02 17:29:00
A new supercomputer dedicated to astronomy has been introduced at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, and it is expected that it will provide clues to shed light on previously unobserved aspects of the universe.
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Prime Minister Ishiba appeals on social media to "use the freelance consultation hotline"
2024-12-02 17:17:00
A law to protect "freelance" workers came into force in November, and Prime Minister Ishiba said he would support the government in ensuring that everyone is able to work in the way they wish, and called on people on social media to use a dedicated consultation hotline if they ran into any problems.
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"Non-regular spring labor offensive" executive committee plans to demand wage increases of at least 10% in 2025
2024-12-02 17:16:00
Regarding the so-called "non-regular spring labor offensive," in which non-regular workers at different workplaces come together to seek a wage increase, the executive committee has made clear its intention to seek a wage increase of more than 10% for the second consecutive year, citing rising prices and other factors that make life difficult.
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59-year-old part-time employee arrested for road rage on national highway in Ome, Tokyo
2024-12-02 17:02:00
In March of this year, a 59-year-old part-time employee was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for aggressive driving, including repeatedly swerving close to other vehicles, on a national highway in Ome City, Tokyo.
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Memorial ceremony held 12 years after Sasago Tunnel ceiling collapse in Yamanashi
2024-12-02 16:58:00
December 2nd marks 12 years since the accident in which a ceiling panel collapsed in the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture, killing nine people. A memorial service was held near the scene, where bereaved families mourned the victims.
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Two people indicted in separate cases in Tokyo's Kokubunji robbery and assault case re-arrested; perpetrators?
2024-12-02 16:53:00
In connection with a robbery and assault case in September this year at a home in Kokubunji City, Tokyo, in which a female resident was assaulted and had her cash and other items stolen, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department re-arrested two suspects on the 2nd on suspicion of being involved in the assault and robbery. These suspects were previously arrested and indicted in a separate robbery and assault case that occurred in Saitama Prefecture.
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Bear captured at supermarket in Akita - found caught in trap set up inside store
2024-12-02 16:41:00
On November 30th, a bear attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City, and then continued to remain inside the store. Two full days later, on the morning of the 2nd, the bear was found in a box trap and was carried out of the store just before 1:30 pm.
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Former student files sexual assault complaint against former junior high school principal at Tokyo District Court
2024-12-02 16:34:00
In a trial where a former junior high school principal is accused of sexually assaulting and injuring a female student 14 years ago, the former student told the court, "I was so scared I had no choice but to become the defendant's toy. I can never forgive him."
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New issuance of health insurance cards suspended to promote use of My Number health insurance cards [Details]
2024-12-02 16:25:00
In order to promote the use of the My Number card and health insurance card combined, the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards from the 2nd. For now, you can still use your current health insurance card, but until when can you use it? What should you do if you don't have a My Number health insurance card? We will answer your questions.
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Temporary housing for Noto Peninsula earthquake delayed by two months due to heavy rain damage Suzu, Ishikawa
2024-12-02 16:22:00
Temporary housing constructed in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, following the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January this year, began accepting residents on the 2nd, about two months later than originally planned, due to damage caused by heavy rains in September.
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Fukushima Kitakata: Bear in abandoned house remains in area for over 4 hours, no injuries
2024-12-02 16:21:00
On the morning of the 2nd, a bear was found breaking into a vacant house in a mountain village in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture. The bear remained near the house for over four hours, but then fled into the mountains, and no one was injured.
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Lawyer and university professor file complaint against Governor Saito's campaign over social media use in Hyogo gubernatorial election
2024-12-02 16:20:00
A lawyer and a university professor have mailed a complaint against Governor Saito, who was re-elected in the Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, and his PR company representative to the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office and other organizations, alleging that the contents of an article posted on a website by the representative of a PR company regarding the social media operations of the campaign team of Governor Saito, who was re-elected in the Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, are suspected of violating the Public Offices Election Act. The governor has stated that he "recognizes that there has been no violation of the law."
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New issuance of health insurance cards suspended to promote use of My Number health insurance cards [Details]
2024-12-02 15:44:00
In order to promote the use of the My Number card and health insurance card combined, the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards from the 2nd. For now, you can still use your current health insurance card, but until when can you use it? What should you do if you don't have a My Number health insurance card? We will answer your questions.
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Couple arrested for stealing driver's license at gym, creating fraudulent credit card, buying whiskey
2024-12-02 15:11:00
A couple in their 30s was arrested for stealing someone's driver's license in a sports gym locker room and using that information to buy 2.9 million yen worth of luxury whiskey with a fraudulently created credit card. It is believed that they made more than 70 cards using licenses and other documents left behind in a copy machine at a convenience store, and the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the case, estimating that the total amount of damages could be as much as 95 million yen.
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4-year-old boy dies 6 years ago: defendant in common-law relationship with mother claims innocence in Yokohama
2024-12-02 14:45:00
The first hearing of a 32-year-old defendant charged with assault resulting in death and other charges for assaulting and killing the eldest 4-year-old son of a woman with whom he was in a common-law marriage at the time in an apartment in Yokohama six years ago in 2018, the defendant claimed innocence, stating, "We were at home together, but I did not use violence."
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Bear captured at supermarket in Akita - found caught in trap set up inside store
2024-12-02 14:21:00
On November 30th, a bear attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City, and then continued to remain inside the store. Two full days later, on the morning of the 2nd, the bear was found in a box trap and was carried out of the store just before 1:30 pm.
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"Futehodo" Wins Annual Grand Prize Announced for 2024 New Words and Popular Phrase Awards
2024-12-02 14:01:00
The 2024 New Words and Buzzwords Awards were announced on the 2nd, with the annual grand prize going to "Futehodo," a reference to the commercial television drama "Futekigen mo Hodo ga Aru!", a comical depiction of a protagonist who travels back in time from the Showa era to the Reiwa era and struggles despite being confused by the differences in values.
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Former Big Motor surviving company BALM to apply for civil rehabilitation to district court
2024-12-02 13:26:00
BALM, the surviving company in charge of dealing with damages and other matters related to the fraudulent insurance claims by the former Big Motor, filed for civil rehabilitation at the Tokyo District Court on the 2nd. The company claims that the purpose of the bankruptcy is to quickly repay creditors, including compensation to customers, with the involvement of the court, and it expects the total amount of debt to reach a maximum of 80 billion yen.
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Oku-Noto region's population falls 7.5% in 10 months as people continue to leave their hometowns
2024-12-02 13:22:00
A prefectural survey revealed that the population of four cities and towns in the Oku-Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and heavy rains in September, fell by 7.5% in the 10 months up to November 1. The decline has expanded by 0.4 percentage points compared to the previous month, and people are continuing to leave their hometowns and move to other areas.
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New issuance of health insurance cards to be suspended from today to promote use of My Number health insurance cards
2024-12-02 13:19:00
In order to promote the use of the My Number card and health insurance card combined, the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards from the 2nd. For now, you can still use your current health insurance card, but until when can you use it? What should you do if you don't have a My Number health insurance card? We will answer your questions.
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New issuance of health insurance cards to be suspended from today to promote use of My Number health insurance cards
2024-12-02 13:05:00
In order to promote the use of the My Number card and health insurance card combined, the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards from the 2nd. For now, you can still use your current health insurance card, but until when can you use it? What should you do if you don't have a My Number health insurance card? We will answer your questions.
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Miyagi Shiogama Shrine installs large votive plaques depicting next year's zodiac sign on the approach to the shrine
2024-12-02 12:52:00
With just one month left until the new year, a large votive plaque depicting next year's zodiac sign, a snake, has been set up at Shiogama Shrine in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture.
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Hokkaido public high school teacher arrested for sending threatening letter to Diet member's office
2024-12-02 12:46:00
A teacher at a public high school in Hokkaido was arrested for sending a threatening letter to the office of Liberal Democratic Party Senator Masahisa Sato.
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Former Big Motor surviving company BALM to apply for civil rehabilitation to district court
2024-12-02 12:22:00
BALM, the surviving company in charge of dealing with damages and other matters related to the fraudulent insurance claims by the former Big Motor, filed for civil rehabilitation at the Tokyo District Court on the 2nd. The company claims that the purpose of the bankruptcy is to quickly repay creditors, including compensation to customers, with the involvement of the court, and it expects the total amount of debt to reach a maximum of 80 billion yen.
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Memorial ceremony held 12 years after Sasago Tunnel ceiling collapse in Yamanashi
2024-12-02 12:20:00
December 2nd marks 12 years since the accident in which a ceiling panel collapsed in the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture, killing nine people. A memorial service was held near the scene, where bereaved families mourned the victims.
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49-year-old suspect arrested in Tokyo for allegedly snatching glasses from pedestrian on moped
2024-12-02 12:14:00
A 49-year-old suspect was arrested for snatching glasses from pedestrians using a pedal-equipped two-wheeled vehicle with an electric motor known as a "moped." 51 pairs of glasses were seized from his home, and the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the possibility that he has repeatedly stolen glasses.
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Lawyer and university professor file complaint against Governor Saito's campaign over social media use in Hyogo gubernatorial election
2024-12-02 12:02:00
Regarding the social media activities of Governor Saito, who was re-elected in the Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, a lawyer and a university professor have mailed a complaint against the governor and his representative to the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office and other organizations, citing suspicions that the contents of an article posted on a website by the representative of a PR company may have violated the Public Offices Election Act. The governor's side has so far stated that they do not believe they have violated the law.
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Bear captured at supermarket in Akita - found caught in trap set up inside store
2024-12-02 11:56:00
The bear that attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City on November 30th and has remained in the store ever since was found in a box trap on the 2nd. The bear will then be put to sleep with anesthesia and taken out of the store.
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Memorial ceremony held 12 years after Sasago Tunnel ceiling collapse in Yamanashi
2024-12-02 11:20:00
December 2nd marks 12 years since the accident in which a ceiling panel collapsed in the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture, killing nine people. A memorial service was held near the scene, where bereaved families mourned the victims.
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"Thorough fire prevention" Tokyo Fire Department inspects commercial facilities toward the end of the year
2024-12-02 11:11:00
As December approaches, a month when more people are shopping for Christmas and the year-end sales season, Fire Superintendent Yoshida Yoshimi of the Tokyo Fire Department inspected a commercial facility in Tokyo's Minato Ward on the 2nd and called for thorough fire prevention measures.
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Former Big Motor surviving company BALM to apply for civil rehabilitation to district court
2024-12-02 11:01:00
BALM, the surviving company in charge of handling damages and other matters related to the fraudulent insurance claims by the former Big Motor, announced on the 2nd that it would apply for civil rehabilitation to the Tokyo District Court. The purpose of this is to make early repayments to creditors, such as customers whose cars were improperly repaired, with the involvement of the court.
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Bear caught in a trap set up at a supermarket in Akita
2024-12-02 10:06:00
Regarding the bear that attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City on the 30th and has remained inside the store since then, police confirmed that it was in a box trap set up inside the store at around 8:00 a.m. on the 2nd. The prefecture and other organizations have decided to take the captured bear out of the store after 10:30 a.m.
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Bear caught in a trap set up at a supermarket in Akita
2024-12-02 08:57:00
Regarding the bear that attacked a male employee at a supermarket in Akita City on the 30th and has remained inside the store since then, police confirmed that it was in a box trap set up inside the store at around 8:00 a.m. on the 2nd. Going forward, Akita City will consult with the prefecture and other parties to remove the captured bear from the store.
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Food prices to rise by April next year: At least 3,900 items
2024-12-02 06:31:00
A private research company has found that at least 3,900 food items are scheduled to undergo price hikes between January and April next year, with the number exceeding 1,000 in January for the first time in three months. The research company predicts that prices will continue to rise throughout 2025.
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Mie Matsusaka A car and a truck collide head-on, 2 dead, 1 seriously injured
2024-12-02 04:55:00
On the night of the 1st, a car and a truck collided head-on on a national highway in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, killing a couple in their 70s who were in the car, and the man in the truck was seriously injured, breaking his leg.
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New issuance of health insurance cards to be suspended from today to promote use of My Number health insurance cards
2024-12-02 04:43:00
In order to promote the use of the "My Number Health Insurance Card," which combines the My Number card and health insurance card, the government will stop issuing new insurance cards from the 2nd. People will be able to continue using their current health insurance cards for up to one year, and those who do not have My Number health insurance cards will be sent a replacement "Qualification Confirmation Letter," and the government has decided to strengthen public relations and awareness.
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Audio distribution of children's books read aloud to help children get to sleep
2024-12-02 03:39:00
In an effort to help parents get children to sleep, book distribution companies and others have begun distributing audio recordings of children's books being read aloud, analysing the volume and intonation of the voice to make it easier for parents to fall asleep.
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