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July 24, 2026
 

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GANGS

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and Osaka Prefectural Police have issued arrest warrants for three people, including a suspected fraud network leader, over alleged immigration and residency violations.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jul 5, 2026
Suspected Asian fraud ring exec served fresh warrant in Japan
The man, Hu Shi, and two others were initially arrested last month by Tokyo¡¯s Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of submitting a false move-in notification.
Two suspects, a Thai man (center) and his Laotian wife (not pictured), suspected of sending drug parcels from a border province to Bangkok, are escorted by officials to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board in Bangkok on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Jul 5, 2026
How drug gangs use social media to recruit Thai air crew as couriers
Early in the morning on June 18, a message from an unknown account slipped into the TikTok inbox of a flight attendant in Bangkok with a series of questions: ¡°Are you flying to Australia? Do ?you do carry-for-hire? What is your rate?¡±
Hideharu Inoue was detained by Philippine authorities on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 26, 2026
Apparent senior member of ¡®Luffy¡¯ crime ring detained in Manila
The Tokyo Summary Court has issued an arrest warrant for Hideharu Inoue, 56, on suspicion of theft.
Smartphones and PCs seized by Osaka Prefectural Police in connection to a social media scam that led to the arrest of 41 people
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 11, 2026
Osaka police arrest 41 over side-job scam affecting 2,300 people
In the scam posted on social media, victims were told they could earn large sums through a side job if they first paid for training courses.
Takafumi Sugawara (second from left) is detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the outskirts of Bangkok on Sunday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 9, 2026
Japanese man held in Thailand over Cambodia-based scams
Suspect Takafumi Sugawara is believed to be a ringleader of a fraud group based in Cambodia and is alleged to have been involved in scams targeting Japanese nationals.
Interpol has placed Kazuhiko Masuda, 48, on its wanted list at the request of the Japanese police.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 6, 2026
Key suspect in Tochigi murder-robbery put on Interpol wanted list
At the request of Japanese police, the International Criminal Police Organization has issued a Red Notice for Kazuhiko Masuda, 48.
Kazuhiko Masuda, who is suspected of orchestrating a high-profile robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture, is believed to have fled Japan and is believed to be in Southeast Asia.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 3, 2026
Suspect in Tochigi robbery-murder who fled abroad ordered to return passport
Kazuhiko Masuda, the suspected orchestrator of a robbery-murder in Tochigi Prefecture, is believed to be in Southeast Asia.
A 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly entering the grounds of a house in the city of Koganei in western Tokyo.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 1, 2026
Man suspected of ³Ù´Ç°ì³Ü°ù²â¨± affiliation arrested for trespassing
The house in the city of Koganei, western Tokyo, had?been invaded several times in May, according to investigative sources.
Investigators with the Tochigi Prefectural Police load cardboard boxes believed to contain seized items into a vehicle after completing a search of the Yokohama apartment of two suspects in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture, on May 21.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 30, 2026
Fifth high school boy arrested in Tochigi robbery-murder case
The 18-year-old student allegedly used a communication app to introduce the boy, 16, to another, despite knowing he would be used to help carry out the crime.
An alleged mastermind behind a recent robbery-murder in Tochigi Prefecture left Japan from Narita International Airport for China, police say.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 28, 2026
Tochigi robbery-murder mastermind fled Japan via Narita Airport
Police are investigating the possible involvement of a ³Ù´Ç°ì³Ü°ù²â¨± anonymous and fluid criminal group.
A new agreement between the National Police Agency and nine major banks will allow prefectural police to inquire about specific bank accounts thought to be involved in fraud schemes and quickly freeze them.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 28, 2026
NPA inks agreement with major Japan banks to hasten special fraud response
The shift from physical mail to digital requests will allow authorities to freeze accounts receiving fraud proceeds more quickly.
Tochigi police have issued an arrest warrant for a man in his 40s in a robbery-murder case, saying he is believed to have instructed a married couple to carry out the attack.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 27, 2026
Police issue arrest warrant for potential mastermind in Tochigi murder case
The man fled to China after the incident in which a 69-year-old woman was killed at her home during a break-in.
With the proliferation of smartphones and growth of an internet-savvy generation, the application pool for dodgy jobs posted on social media or apps like Timee ¡ª which matches companies with job-seekers for one-off jobs ¡ª began to skew younger.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
May 26, 2026
Why youths have become central to ³Ù´Ç°ì³Ü°ù²â¨± crimes
The easy recruitment of younger people online has driven a shift from fraud to robbery, sometimes leading to murder.
A teenager (center, wearing sandals) arrested for his involvement in a murder-robbery case is sent to prosecutors on May 16 in the city of Shimotsuke, in Tochigi Prefecture.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
May 22, 2026
Tochigi murder-robbery case reflects ¡®³Ù´Ç°ì³Ü°ù²â¨±¡¯ adapting to crackdowns
In typical schemes, hired perpetrators are strangers to one another, but due to crackdowns on online recruitment, many are turning to word of mouth and familiarity.
Police on Thursday search the Yokohama apartment of Kaito Takemae, who is accused of directing four teenage boys in the robbery and murder of a 69-year-old woman in Kaminokawa, Tochigi Prefecture.
EDITORIALS
May 22, 2026
Defeating ³Ù´Ç°ì³Ü°ù²â¨± requires more than just better law enforcement
The problem of ³Ù´Ç°ì³Ü°ù²â¨±, or anonymous crime groups, was thrust back into headlines last week, after the robbery and murder of an elderly woman
A vehicle believed to be used in a robbery-murder targeting an elderly woman in Tochigi Prefecture is towed in Shimotsuke, Tochigi Prefecture, on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 20, 2026
Teen robbery-murder suspects say couple threatened to kill their families
The teenage suspects received real-time instructions from the couple during the robbery.
Miyu Takemae leaves a police station in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, to be taken to prosecutors on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 19, 2026
Teens held over Tochigi robbery-murders met alleged masterminds on day of crime
In collusion with the couple, the four boys are suspected of having broken into a house Thursday morning and stabbed a 69-year-old woman to death, also attacking her sons.
Kaito Takemae (center front), a suspect in a robbery-murder case in Kaminokawa, Tochigi Prefecture, is sent to prosecutors from a police station in Sakura, Tochigi Prefecture, on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 18, 2026
Couple thought to be masterminds behind Tochigi murder-robbery arrested
Police believe ³Ù´Ç°ì³Ü°ù²â¨± quasi-gangsters were involved in Thursday¡¯s murder-robbery in Tochigi Prefecture, and they suspect there are other masterminds beyond the couple.
A vehicle believed to be used in a robbery-murder incident targeting an elderly woman in Tochigi Prefecture is towed in Shimotsuke, Tochigi Prefecture, on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 17, 2026
Police arrest alleged mastermind behind Tochigi robbery-murder case
Police believe that the 28-year-old man had instructed four boys to carry out the crime.
Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy who allegedly broke into a home in Kaminokawa, Tochigi Prefecture, on Thursday and killed a woman.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 15, 2026
Police arrest teenage suspect after woman killed in Tochigi home invasion
A 16-year-old-boy is suspected of breaking into the home of 69-year-old company executive Eiko Tomiyama Thursday morning and killing her while searching for valuables.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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