The Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. The MPD recently served a new warrant for the arrest of a man over unauthorized access to social media accounts of celebrities including a member of Japanese comedy duo Einstein.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 5, 2025
Man served new arrest warrant over access to Japanese comedian's account
The suspect allegedly logged in to the Instagram accounts of Naoki Inada, a comedian, and of a professional sports player without permission between July and October 2024.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday prior to a Cabinet meeting
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 5, 2025
Japan to start a new support system for crime victims next year
The government has increasingly been urged to enhance public assistance for people afflicted by serious crimes.
The National Police Agency has issued a rulebook for cyclists detailing violations subject to fines from April 2026 onward.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 5, 2025
New rulebook for cycling in Japan details fines for minor violations
Traffic offenses that will prompt police to issue tickets for fines on the spot include talking on the phone or staring at it while cycling and railroad crossing violations.
Takeshi Niinami, the former chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings, at a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Sep 4, 2025
What we know about the supplements scandal linked to Suntory’s ex-CEO
The ex-Suntory CEO’s side of the story offered some clarity, but much remains unknown.
Followers of doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo work in front of a computer screen showing a picture of group leader Shoko Asahara at Aum's key Adachi office in Tokyo in 1999.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 4, 2025
Japan to keep restricting Aum Shinrikyo successor group's activities
The Public Security Examination Commission extended the restrictions on Aleph, a successor group of the now-defunct doomsday cult, until March 20, 2026.
Kaoru Wada, chief of Kanagawa Prefectural Police, bows in apology during a news conference in Yokohama on Thursday. In a review report, police said the initial response to a stalking-murder case in Kawasaki was inadequate and the response system had been ineffective.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 4, 2025
Kanagawa police say they improperly handled Kawasaki stalking-murder case
Since June last year, the victim and her family had repeatedly consulted with police about violence and stalking by the suspect, who has been indicted on murder and other charges.
A man accused of killing four people, including two police officers, in Nagano in 2023 intends to remain silent at the first court hearing of his lay judge trial on Thursday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 4, 2025
Suspect in 2023 Nagano quadruple murder plans to stay silent during trial
The defendant's attorney said his client is in a diminished state due to integration disorder syndrome and doubts he has the capacity to take criminal responsibility.

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight