"I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart for the terrible crime committed by my second son, Tetsuya," the mother of Tetsuya Yamagami, who is charged with the 2022 murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said at the start of her testimony Thursday at the seventh hearing of his lay-judge trial at Nara District Court.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 14, 2025
Mother of Abe shooter Yamagami apologizes in court
"I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart for the terrible crime committed by my second son, Tetsuya," said the mother, a follower of the Unification Church.
A former police officer and another suspect allegedly took a bank card and passbook from a 96-year-old woman, saying that they would manage her money.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 13, 2025
Former Kyoto police officer arrested for defrauding elderly dementia patient
The former officer is a board member of a group based in the city that works with police to provide daily assistance to elderly dementia patients.
Namiko Takaba, her son Kohei Takaba, and husband Satoru Takaba
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 13, 2025
Husband of victim in 1999 Nagoya killing reflects on late wife’s life
Namiko Takaba was attacked while at home with her 2-year-old son, Kohei.
A Saitama district court sentenced Deng Hongpeng, a Chinese national and demolition worker, to two years and six months in prison, suspended for four years, for hitting a group of elementary school children with his car and fleeing the scene while driving under the influence.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 13, 2025
Chinese national sentenced for hit-and-run that injured four children in Saitama
Demolition worker Deng Hongpeng was driving under the influence and struck a group of ten children, injuring four sixth-grade boys.
A 43-year-old Tokyo Metropolitan Police inspector was arrested Wednesday for allegedly leaking investigative information to a group suspected of illegally brokering women to sex parlors and hostess bars across Japan.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 13, 2025
Police officer arrested for leaking information to illegal scout group
Daisuke Jinbo is suspected of providing the group with images showing the areas covered by cameras installed by the police.
Seiichi Katsurada, president of tour boat operator Shiretoko Yuransen, bows in front of the Kushiro District Court on Wednesday prior to the first hearing of his trial.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 12, 2025
Head of Hokkaido tour boat operator pleads not guilty over fatal sinking
The operator’s president apologized to the bereaved families of the accident, which left 20 passengers and crew members dead and six others unaccounted for.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. Police have rearrested a Tokyo couple on child abuse allegations.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 11, 2025
Mother and partner rearrested over alleged child abuse
The pair allegedly starved the woman’s daughter, causing her to become severely malnourished, police have said.

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An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo