Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
National Topics
Crime & Legal Sep 17, 2013
More Japanese nuclear refugees sue Tepco, government
A total of 171 people from Fukushima Prefecture who had to flee their homes because of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant sued Tokyo Electric Power Co. and the central government Tuesday for ¥1.62 billion in damages. The plaintiffs, from 60 ...
Crime & Legal Sep 17, 2013
Court interpreters' working conditions a threat to fairness
by Tomohiro Osaki
The introduction of the lay judge system four years ago has only added to the stress placed on court interpreters, as they grapple with ever-worsening working conditions that have left them fatigued, ill-prepared and more error-prone, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations warns. “We ...
Crime & Legal Sep 12, 2013
Turk charged with murder, rape of Japanese tourist
The man accused of attacking two Japanese women in Turkey has been charged with murder, rape and sexual assault, a local newspaper reports.
Crime & Legal Sep 12, 2013
Death-row inmate, 73, sixth executed under Abe Cabinet
by Tomohiro Osaki
A convicted murderer is hanged for robbing and gunning down the owner of a restaurant in Yokohama's Chinatown in May 2004.
Crime & Legal Sep 12, 2013
Ex-Toyota affiliate exec held over graft
A former executive of major auto parts maker and Toyota affiliate Futaba Industrial in Aichi Prefecture is arrested for allegedly bribing an official in China.
Crime & Legal Sep 11, 2013
Suspect reportedly admits to attack on Japanese in Turkey
A man in Turkey arrested for allegedly stabbing two Japanese women, one fatally, admits to the charge, a local paper says.
Crime & Legal Sep 10, 2013
Tourist, 22, stabbed to death in Turkey
A Japanese woman is killed and another is left in critical condition after being stabbed in Cappadocia, a historic region in central Turkey.
Crime & Legal Sep 10, 2013
Acquitted man starts Net campaign
A man exonerated of a 1967 robbery-murder has started an Internet campaign calling on authorities to record the full interrogation process to prevent future wrongful convictions. Shoji Sakurai, 66, who was acquitted in the so-called Fukawa Incident in Ibaraki Prefecture after a retrial, launched ...
Crime & Legal Sep 9, 2013
Kan, Tepco execs avoid charges over nuclear disaster
Prosecutors decide not to indict former Prime Minister Naoto Kan or any officials from Tokyo Electric over the Fukushima disaster, but an inquest panel looms.
Crime & Legal Sep 4, 2013
Top court shoots down unequal inheritance rights
by Tomohiro Osaki and Reiji Yoshida
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court declares unconstitutional the Civil Code clause that denies full inheritance rights to heirs born out of wedlock.
Crime & Legal Sep 4, 2013
Olympus, Gyrus face fraud trial in U.K.
Britain's Serious Fraud Office will prosecute Olympus and its subsidiary over a scandal to cover up massive losses.
Crime & Legal Sep 3, 2013
Tepco dealt another criminal complaint
Three people file a criminal complaint against Tokyo Electric Power and 32 executives, claiming they neglected to prevent radioactive water at Fukushima No. 1 from flowing into the ocean.