National / Crime & Legal Mar 31, 2020
Mika Nishiyama was indicted after admitting to killing the patient in 2004, but she later retracted her confession, saying she had been coerced by investigators.
National / Crime & Legal Mar 27, 2020
In Shiga nurse's murder conviction, her disability was never taken into consideration
Mika Nishiyama made a false confession and served 12 years. Then she was diagnosed as having an intellectual disability, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.
National / Crime & Legal Mar 25, 2020
What pushed this Shiga assistant nurse to falsely confess to murder?
Why did Mika Nishiyama, a former assistant nurse who served 12 years in prison for murdering a male patient in 2003, falsely confess to killing him?
National / Crime & Legal Mar 22, 2020
Apparent false conviction brings Japan's justice system back into the spotlight
After already having served a 12-year prison sentence following her conviction for murdering a patient, former assistant nurse Mika Nishiyama, 40, is expected to finally be acquitted on March 31.
National / Crime & Legal Feb 17, 2020
Otsu court sentences woman to 4½ years for crash that killed toddlers
A court on Monday sentenced a 53-year-old woman to 4½ years in prison in prison for causing a traffic accident that killed two toddlers last May in western Japan. According to the ruling, Fumiko Shintate was convicted of negligent driving resulting in death and injury ...
Lifestyle Feb 8, 2020
Muddy waters: The battle to save Japan's ailing freshwater pearl industry
by John Spiri
While Lake Biwa played a key role in the establishment of a domestic freshwater pearl industry, farmers are now facing a bleak future.
National / Crime & Legal Feb 3, 2020
Former assistant nurse in Shiga set to be acquitted in retrial over 2003 murder
A former assistant nurse convicted of murdering a patient in 2003 was set to be exonerated Monday after prosecutors chose not to contest new evidence presented by her defense team during the first hearing of her retrial. Mika Nishiyama, 40, was found guilty in 2005 ...
National Jan 10, 2020
Rock singer Hyde joins other Japanese musicians in promoting their hometowns
When Wakayama's newsletter featured native rock star Hyde on its front cover, phones at the municipal office lit up, alarming officials. "The response to the newsletter was beyond our imagination," recalled a city official. The Wakayama Municipal Government received over 1,200 inquiries about the monthly newsletter ...
National / Crime & Legal Oct 23, 2019
Former assistant nurse set to be acquitted in retrial of 2003 Shiga hospital murder case
Lawyers for the convicted nurse said prosecutors decided not to argue against her acquittal in the case where she was accused of murdering a patient in 2003.
National Aug 24, 2019
The transport ministry will provide subsidies to help municipalities take safety measures to reduce the amount of vehicular traffic in areas close to nursery schools and other facilities where children are present.
Environment Jul 13, 2019
Hive of activity: Tapping into the buzz of backyard beekeeping in Japan
by John Spiri
The importance of bees to Japan's agricultural sector certainly isn't lost on domestic hobbyists.
National / Social Issues Jul 4, 2019
Okinawa farm kicks off vanilla bean project to employ the poor and disabled
by Kumiko Kanetomo
Taking a cue from soaring world prices for vanilla, an Okinawa farm has started cultivating the valuable spice in an initiative aimed at promoting the employment of low-income workers and people with disabilities. Vanilla, called "green gold" for the prices it fetches, requires a labor-intensive ...