Social News(2025/04/08)
Okayama's Kibichuo Town grants subsidies to gift producers as procurement costs exceed limit
2025-04-08 23:36:00
As rice prices continue to soar, interviews with the town and related parties have revealed that Kibichuo Town in Okayama Prefecture paid "subsidies" to producers of rice used as return gifts for hometown tax donations last year in addition to the actual cost. Combined with the cost, this exceeds the legally set upper limit for the procurement of return gifts, and the town has received advice from the prefecture and will no longer make subsidy payments from this fiscal year.
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Government adjusts third release of stockpiled rice to stabilize rice prices in response to continued price hikes
2025-04-08 23:01:00
The government has begun preparations to release stockpiles of rice for the third time, citing the need for further measures to stabilize the price of rice, which continues to soar. Prime Minister Ishiba and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Eto are expected to hold final discussions soon and make a decision.
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Iwate Ofunato forest fire declared extinguished overnight, concerns over landslides
2025-04-08 22:30:00
On the 8th, one day after the forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, was declared "out," residents expressed relief but also concern about future landslides.
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Saga Yoshinogari town ex-section chief dies; mayor's power harassment may be to blame - town council to confirm
2025-04-08 21:55:00
A request for an investigation was submitted to the town council of Yoshinogari Town, Saga Prefecture, for the death of a former section chief last year, as it was suspected that the mayor had been the cause of his death. The council decided to proceed with the investigation by interviewing those involved. The mayor said, "I was not aware that I had committed any power harassment."
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Nagasaki helicopter accident: The helicopter was equipped with a distress signal generator, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism did not receive the signal
2025-04-08 21:31:00
On the 6th, a medical evacuation helicopter carrying a patient was found capsized off the coast of Iki, Nagasaki Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of three people. The aircraft was equipped with a device that automatically sends out a distress signal if it received a strong impact, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which is supposed to receive the signal, did not receive it, according to an interview with a related person. The Japan Coast Guard and others plan to recover the aircraft and conduct a detailed investigation.
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A male employee in his 50s from Mainichi Shimbun Group Holdings was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of child prostitution, etc.
2025-04-08 21:29:00
It has been revealed that the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has referred a male employee in his 50s, who served as head of the internal audit department of the holding company that owns the Mainichi Shimbun, to the public prosecutor's office on suspicion of child prostitution and other offences for allegedly giving cash to a girl under the age of 18 to engage in sexual acts and send obscene selfies.
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Shinmoedake: "Active seismic activity continues, so be on alert for volcanic rocks, etc." Japan Meteorological Agency
2025-04-08 21:24:00
Regarding Shinmoe-dake in the Kirishima Mountains on the border between Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, where the eruption alert level was raised to "level 3" in March, the Japan Meteorological Agency has stated that active seismic activity continues and is continuing to urge people to be on alert for large volcanic rocks and other hazards that may result from an eruption within approximately 3 kilometers of the crater.
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Problems with My Number Health Insurance card reading app at clinics, etc.
2025-04-08 20:59:00
Since the 6th, it has been discovered that there has been a malfunction in the app used to read My Number health insurance cards at chiropractic clinics and other facilities across the country, and the government is investigating the cause.
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Former Ryukyu Broadcasting announcer indicted for giving coworker a drug-laced drink
2025-04-08 20:56:00
A 24-year-old former announcer for Okinawa's Ryukyu Broadcasting has been indicted on charges of assault for allegedly giving a colleague a drink laced with a drowsiness drug.
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Forest fire in Gotsu, Shimane Prefecture, almost extinguished
2025-04-08 20:31:00
A fire broke out in a mountain forest in Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture on the morning of the 8th, and as a result of firefighting efforts, the fire was almost completely extinguished by around 6:30 pm.
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Forest fire in Akiota town, Hiroshima, extinguished, evacuation order lifted
2025-04-08 20:18:00
A fire that broke out in a forest in Akiota Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, on the morning of the 8th has been almost completely extinguished, and the fire department announced that it was "under control" at around 6:00 pm. As a result, evacuation orders for some areas of the town have also been lifted.
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Mie: Two women in their 60s go missing after hiking; mountaineering accident
2025-04-08 20:08:00
Two women in their 60s went missing in Mihama Town, Mie Prefecture after going hiking in the mountains on the morning of the 7th. Police and others are searching for them, believing they may have been lost in the mountains.
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Suspect arrested after transfer to Cambodia, suspected to be head of special fraud group
2025-04-08 19:49:00
In a case where a group of Japanese people who were repeatedly committing specialized fraud based in Cambodia were uncovered, the suspect believed to be the leader of the group was transferred from Thailand to Japan and arrested. During questioning, he reportedly denies the charges.
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Earthquake Alert: Magnitude 3 earthquake hits western Aichi Prefecture, no risk of tsunami
2025-04-08 19:44:00
At around 7:26 pm on the 8th, an earthquake measuring 3 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale was observed in Aichi Prefecture. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.
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Long-distance travel is a burden "A compensation system that suits the local situation"
2025-04-08 19:43:00
In 2040, 15 years from now, the number of people aged 65 or older is estimated to be 39.28 million, accounting for more than 30% of the population. However, the demand for nursing care services has already started to decline in mountainous areas and areas with declining populations. A study group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has put together a proposal that suggests that a new compensation system should be introduced in these areas.
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Osaka University venture company applies for approval to use iPS cells to treat heart disease
2025-04-08 19:25:00
It has been learned that a venture company spun out of Osaka University, which is developing cell sheets made from iPS cells to be used in the treatment of heart disease, has applied to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for approval to manufacture and sell them. According to the company, if approved by the government, it will be the world's first treatment using iPS cells, and attention will be focused on whether the effectiveness will be recognized in the review.
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Nagasaki helicopter accident killing 3 people: What happened? [Q&A]
2025-04-08 19:11:00
On the 6th, a helicopter transporting a patient from Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture to a hospital in Fukuoka City made an emergency landing in the ocean, killing three of the six people on board. We have compiled what is known so far based on interviews with the helicopter operator, SGC Saga Airlines, Fukuoka Wajiro Hospital, which is contracted to operate the helicopter, the Japan Coast Guard, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
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Forest fire in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture: Damage surveyed from the air: "Slopes burned severely"
2025-04-08 18:58:00
In an effort to grasp the extent of the damage caused by a forest fire that broke out in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture last month and to use this to restore the forest, officials from the Forestry Agency and others conducted an aerial survey by helicopter.
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Japan Transport Safety Board investigates operator after Nagasaki helicopter crash leaves three dead
2025-04-08 18:58:00
On the 6th, a medical evacuation helicopter transporting a patient was found capsized off the coast of Iki, Nagasaki Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of three people. On the 8th, the National Transport Safety Board visited the helicopter operating company in Saga City to investigate the maintenance status of the aircraft.
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JR East President apologizes for Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train detachment, "new measures to be taken"
2025-04-08 18:56:00
Regarding the issue of a coupling coming off on the Tohoku Shinkansen while it was in motion, JR East President Yoichi Kise said at a regular press conference, "We take very seriously the fact that incidents that shake trust in the company have continued to occur," and after apologizing, indicated his intention to take new measures.
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Osaka University venture company applies for approval to use iPS cells to treat heart disease
2025-04-08 18:56:00
It has been learned that a venture company spun out of Osaka University, which is developing cell sheets made from iPS cells to be used in the treatment of heart disease, has applied to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for approval to manufacture and sell them. According to the company, if approved by the government, it will be the world's first treatment using iPS cells, and attention will be focused on whether the effectiveness will be recognized in the review.
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Suspect Hirosue Ryoko arrested on suspicion of injuring a nurse; suspicious behavior
2025-04-08 18:54:00
In the case where actress Ryoko Hirosue was arrested for injuring a nurse at a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture where she was taken after being involved in a traffic accident, police are conducting a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident and the circumstances surrounding it, as there are suspicious aspects to the suspect's behavior.
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Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare issues safety inspection notice to doctor helicopter operators following Nagasaki accident
2025-04-08 18:21:00
Following the accident on the 6th in which a helicopter carrying doctors and patients was found capsized off the coast of Nagasaki Prefecture, killing three people, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has issued a notice to companies operating doctor helicopters, requesting them to conduct safety inspections.
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JR East President considers making support facilities for correspondence high school students eligible for commuter passes
2025-04-08 18:17:00
Yoichi Kise, president of East Japan Railway Co., Ltd., said he plans to consider making support facilities for correspondence high school students eligible for student commuter passes. Following the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's system reform, JR companies announced their intention to exclude these facilities from the scope of the pass, but after a series of backlash, they have now retracted the plan.
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Forest fire in Akiota town, Hiroshima, evacuation orders issued to 17 people from 11 households
2025-04-08 18:07:00
A fire broke out in a forest in Akiota Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, on the morning of the 8th, and firefighting efforts are ongoing. No injuries have been reported so far, but the town has issued evacuation orders to 17 people in 11 households.
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Suspect Hirosue Ryoko arrested on suspicion of assault, including kicking a nurse at a hospital
2025-04-08 18:04:00
The suspect arrested on the early morning of the 8th for injuring a nurse at a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture has been confirmed to be actress Ryoko Hirosue. She was taken to the hospital after being involved in a traffic accident in her own car, and the police are currently investigating the details.
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Average cabbage price is 1.5 times higher than average, down less than double since November last year
2025-04-08 18:01:00
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced the average prices of major vegetables sold at supermarkets last week. Cabbage, which had been more than twice the average price for some time, was 1.5 times the average.
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Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to provide interest-free loans to hospitals facing financial difficulties
2025-04-08 17:58:00
In response to the worsening financial situation at many hospitals due to rising prices and other factors, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has decided to implement new support measures, such as providing medical institutions with special interest-free loans for a certain period of time.
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Number of whooping cough patients reaches record high of 578 in week ending March 30
2025-04-08 17:56:00
The pertussis epidemic, which mainly infects children and causes persistent severe coughing, continues, with 578 cases reported by medical institutions nationwide in the week up to March 30, the highest number since statistics began being collected using the current method. Specialist societies are calling for infants to receive routine vaccinations as soon as they reach two months of age, as they are at high risk of developing severe symptoms.
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Wife of Sayama case suspect Kazuo Ishikawa files fourth request for retrial
2025-04-08 17:55:00
Ishikawa Kazuo, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a high school girl in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture 62 years ago and had been seeking a retrial, passed away in March. With the trial now over, his wife has filed a fourth request for a retrial.
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Man suspected of abandoning car at House of Representatives member's accommodation, search for whereabouts of man
2025-04-08 17:51:00
In the early hours of the 8th, a suspicious vehicle being pursued by a Metropolitan Police Department patrol car entered the grounds of a House of Representatives member's accommodation in Akasaka, Tokyo, and the driver abandoned the car and fled, according to an interview with an investigator. The driver is still on the run, and the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating his whereabouts on suspicion of trespassing.
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Okinawa Defense Bureau explains to prefecture regarding redeployment of U.S. Navy's large unmanned reconnaissance aircraft
2025-04-08 17:48:00
The U.S. Navy's large unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, the MQ4C, will be deployed again to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture within the next few weeks, the Okinawa Defense Bureau explained to the prefecture on the 8th.
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Ibaraki: Volunteer groups struggling as hometown tax donations cannot be sent
2025-04-08 17:33:00
As rice prices continue to soar, Bando City in Ibaraki Prefecture has discovered that it has accepted more applications for hometown tax rice than it had in stock, meaning it is unable to send gifts to more than 10,000 recipients. The city has apologized to the recipients and will take measures such as sending them new rice this fall.
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Long-distance travel is a burden "A compensation system that suits the local situation"
2025-04-08 16:30:00
In 2040, 15 years from now, the number of people aged 65 or older is estimated to be 39.28 million, accounting for more than 30% of the population. However, the demand for nursing care services has already started to decline in mountainous areas and areas with declining populations. A study group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has put together a proposal that suggests that a new compensation system should be introduced in these areas.
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Forest fire in Gotsu, Shimane Prefecture Firefighters extinguish fire, no reports of injuries
2025-04-08 16:16:00
A forest fire broke out in Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture on the morning of the 8th, and firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.
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Okinawa Defense Bureau explains to prefecture regarding redeployment of U.S. Navy's large unmanned reconnaissance aircraft
2025-04-08 16:05:00
The U.S. Navy's large unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, the MQ4C, will be deployed again to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture within the next few weeks, the Okinawa Defense Bureau explained to the prefecture on the 8th.
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Woman in her 20s dies, boyfriend questioned on suspicion of murder, Showa Town, Yamanashi
2025-04-08 16:00:00
On the morning of the 8th, a woman in her 20s was found bleeding and collapsed in a room in an apartment complex in Showa-cho, Yamanashi Prefecture, and later died. According to investigators, the woman is believed to have been murdered, and the police are questioning her boyfriend, suspecting he may have been involved in the incident, and are investigating the details.
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Minister of Reconstruction Ito: "We need to extend the repayment deadline for disaster relief funds"
2025-04-08 15:51:00
Regarding the "disaster relief funds" provided to victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake by municipalities at financial contributions from the national government and other organizations, Minister of Reconstruction Ito expressed the view that it is necessary to take measures to extend the repayment period, which is currently set at a maximum of 13 years.
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Myanmar earthquake: Self-Defense Force transport plane departs loaded with medicines
2025-04-08 15:50:00
Following the major earthquake that occurred in central Myanmar, an Air Self-Defense Force transport plane departed Japan on the afternoon of the 8th to deliver medicines and other supplies to medical teams working on the ground.
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Forest fire in Akiota town, Hiroshima, evacuation orders issued to 17 people from 11 households
2025-04-08 15:30:00
A fire broke out in a forest in Akiota Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, on the morning of the 8th, and firefighting efforts are underway. So far, no one has been injured, but the town has issued evacuation orders to 17 people in 11 households.
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Fire in Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka, burns six houses; death toll rises to two
2025-04-08 15:02:00
On the morning of the 8th, a fire broke out in six houses in Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka, killing a woman in her 90s and finding another body in the ruins. Police are investigating the cause of the fire and are investigating whether the body is that of a resident woman in her 60s.
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90th Memorial Ceremony for "Loyal Dog Hachiko" in Shibuya, Tokyo
2025-04-08 14:58:00
The 90th memorial service for the faithful dog Hachiko, known for waiting for his owner to return after he passed away, was held in front of the Hachiko statue in Shibuya, Tokyo on the 8th.
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Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications establishes new council to strengthen fire response following forest fire in Ofunato, Iwate
2025-04-08 14:47:00
In response to the large-scale forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Murakami announced that he would establish a new panel of experts to analyze the factors that led to the spread of the fire and to consider how to carry out effective firefighting activities.
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Suspect Hirosue Ryoko arrested on suspicion of assault, including kicking a nurse at a hospital
2025-04-08 14:29:00
The suspect arrested on the early morning of the 8th for injuring a nurse at a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture has been confirmed to be actress Ryoko Hirosue. She was taken to the hospital after being involved in a traffic accident in her own car, and the police are currently investigating the details.
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JR Soya Line train derails, no injuries, recovery will take more than a week
2025-04-08 14:24:00
On the morning of the 8th, a one-car local train derailed on the JR Soya Line in northern Hokkaido. There were no passengers on board at the time, and no crew members were injured, but the embankment near the scene has collapsed, and it is expected to take more than a week to restore service.
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Suspect Hirosue Ryoko arrested on suspicion of assaulting a nurse at a hospital
2025-04-08 12:47:00
The suspect arrested on the early morning of the 8th for injuring a nurse at a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture has been confirmed to be actress Ryoko Hirosue. She was taken to the hospital after being involved in a traffic accident in her own car, and the police are currently investigating the details.
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Nagasaki Goto forest fire extinguished
2025-04-08 12:35:00
On the 7th, the forest fire that broke out in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, was almost completely contained overnight, and the Goto City Fire Department announced at 8am this morning that it had been "put under control." Firefighters are continuing to work to put out the smoldering fire.
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Fire at home in Higashiyodogawa, Osaka, one woman killed, another person unable to be contacted
2025-04-08 12:22:00
On the morning of the 8th, a fire broke out at a house in Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka, burning five buildings and killing one woman. In addition, police and firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire, saying that they have lost contact with another woman.
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ETC outage on expressway: data exchange abnormality? Investigation into cause ongoing
2025-04-08 12:16:00
The ETC system failures that occurred at toll booths on expressways in eight prefectures were temporarily fixed on the 7th, and operations resumed after about 38 hours. Meanwhile, the cause of the failure is believed to be an anomaly in the data exchange related to charges within the ETC system, and the company is investigating the cause.
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Japan Transport Safety Board investigates medical evacuation helicopter operator after crash kills three
2025-04-08 12:12:00
In response to the accident on the 6th, when a medical evacuation helicopter transporting a patient was found capsized off the coast of Iki, Nagasaki Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of three people, the National Transport Safety Board visited the helicopter operating company in Saga City on the morning of the 8th and is investigating the maintenance status of the aircraft.
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JR Soya Line train derails, no passengers, no injuries
2025-04-08 12:03:00
On the morning of the 8th, a one-car local train derailed on the JR Soya Line in northern Hokkaido. At the time, there were no passengers on board, and no crew members were injured.
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Suspect Hirosue Ryoko arrested on suspicion of assaulting a nurse at a hospital
2025-04-08 12:01:00
The suspect arrested on the early morning of the 8th for injuring a nurse at a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture has been confirmed to be actress Ryoko Hirosue. She was taken to the hospital after being involved in a traffic accident in her own car, and the police are currently investigating the details.
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Metropolitan bus driver fails to notice 9-year-old girl, leaves her behind on bus
2025-04-08 11:58:00
It has been discovered that a Toei bus driver failed to notice a 9-year-old girl sleeping on the bus after arriving at the final destination and left her behind on the bus for a while. The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation says it will take steps to prevent this from happening again.
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JR Soya Line train derails, no passengers, no injuries
2025-04-08 11:07:00
On the morning of the 8th, a one-car local train derailed on the JR Soya Line in northern Hokkaido. At the time, there were no passengers on board, and no crew members were injured.
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Suspect claiming to be "actress Ryoko Hirosue" arrested on suspicion of assaulting nurse at hospital
2025-04-08 10:06:00
A female suspect who was arrested in the early hours of the 8th for injuring a nurse at a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture identified herself as actress Hirosue Ryoko. Police believe she is the actress and are continuing to confirm her identity while investigating the details of the incident.
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Fire breaks out at house in Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka; investigation continues into injuries
2025-04-08 09:47:00
According to the fire department, a fire broke out at a house in Ogiri, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, at around 9:00 a.m. on the 8th, and 25 fire engines and other vehicles are currently engaged in firefighting activities. Police and fire departments are currently checking for injuries and people who were unable to escape. The scene of the fire is a densely populated residential area about 200 meters northeast of Daido Toyosato Station on the Osaka Metro Imazatosuji Line.
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JR Soya Line train derails, no passengers, no injuries
2025-04-08 09:17:00
According to JR Hokkaido, a local train derailed between Teshio-Nakagawa Station and Monkanbetsu Station on the JR Soya Line in northern Hokkaido at around 6:40 a.m. on the 8th.
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Suspect claiming to be "actress Ryoko Hirosue" arrested on suspicion of assaulting nurse at hospital
2025-04-08 07:35:00
A female suspect who was arrested in the early hours of the 8th for injuring a nurse at a hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture identified herself as actress Hirosue Ryoko. Police believe she is the actress and are continuing to confirm her identity while investigating the details of the incident.
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Kawasaki Heavy Industries fails to declare 4 billion yen in tax, 1 billion yen tax levied by Osaka Regional Taxation Bureau
2025-04-08 05:41:00
In a case involving Kawasaki Heavy Industries providing goods to the crew of the Maritime Self-Defense Force submarines with slush funds created through fictitious transactions, the Osaka Regional Taxation Bureau has revealed that the company has concealed more than 1.3 billion yen in income over the six years up to last year, according to interviews with people involved. The Regional Taxation Bureau's investigation also uncovered non-reporting of earnings by affiliated companies overseas, bringing the total amount of unreported earnings to 4 billion yen.
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Nagasaki helicopter accident: No communication to control tower or other authorities to inform of abnormality confirmed
2025-04-08 05:16:00
On the 6th, a medical evacuation helicopter carrying a patient was found capsized off the coast of Iki, Nagasaki Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of three people. According to investigators, there was no communication from the helicopter to the control tower or other authorities to inform of an emergency or other abnormality. The Japan Coast Guard is currently investigating the details of where the trouble occurred between takeoff and the emergency landing at sea.
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ETC outage on expressway: data exchange abnormality? Investigation into cause ongoing
2025-04-08 05:05:00
The ETC system failures that occurred at toll booths on expressways in eight prefectures were temporarily fixed on the 7th, and operations resumed after about 38 hours. Meanwhile, the cause of the failure is believed to be an anomaly in the data exchange related to charges within the ETC system, and the company is investigating the cause.
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Spring Garden Party: Nearly 1,800 people invited, including manga artist Tetsuya Chiba
2025-04-08 04:36:00
Nearly 1,800 people, including manga artist Tetsuya Chiba and professional golfer Isao Aoki, have been invited to the Spring Garden Party to be held on April 22nd.
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