A U.S. Air Force serviceman in Okinawa Prefecture has appealed to the Supreme Court against a high court ruling that upheld a five-year sentence for abducting and sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 16 in the prefecture, it was revealed on Friday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 12, 2025
U.S. airman appeals to top court in Okinawa assault case
Brennon Washington filed the appeal Wednesday after receiving the ruling by the Fukuoka High Court's branch in Naha that day.
Police issued third arrest warrants on Thursday for two elementary school teachers involved in an online chat group that shared secretly taken images and videos of girls.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 12, 2025
Teachers arrested for allegedly sharing images of girls face more charges
The total number of children victimized by the group has risen to at least 25, according to the police.
Bicycle helmet use has risen to 21.2% nationwide, up 4.2 percentage points from last year, according to the National Police Agency.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 11, 2025
Number of cyclists wearing helmets in Japan increases slightly, police say
Overall, usage rates have risen by 4.2 percentage points year on year to an average of 21.2%, according to a survey conducted in June.
Akira Sanbonchiku (second from left), a member of the "JP Dragon" crime ring, is transported from the Philippines to Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 11, 2025
Six 'JP Dragon' crime ring members arrested after extradition from Philippines
Police believe the six have defrauded at least 250 people in 20 Japanese prefectures out of approximately ¥900 million since around October 2019.
The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday upheld an indefinite prison sentence for 54-year-old man over a fatal 2023 robbery in Komae, Tokyo.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 11, 2025
Indefinite term upheld for man over Tokyo robbery resulting in death
The case was one of a series of high-profile robberies committed across Japan by a group led by masterminds using the pseudonym "Luffy."
Upper House lawmaker Yasutada Ono speaks to reporters in the parliamentary building in January last year after being indicted without arrest.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 10, 2025
Ex-lawmaker Ono pleads not guilty in LDP funds scandal
Ono was indicted without arrest on charges of violating the political funds control law and left the party in January 2024.
Eight companies are suspected of maintaining or raising prices of diesel fuel sold in Tokyo to transportation and other companies.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 10, 2025
Eight companies raided in Japan over diesel fuel cartel
According to the sources, the firms are suspected of maintaining or raising prices of diesel sold in Tokyo to transportation and other companies.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
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