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Kathleen Benoza
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 15, 2023
SDF shooting suspect referred to prosecutors as details of incident emerge
The incident took place at a GSDF shooting range in the city of Gifu the day before, with the suspect telling investigators that he targeted a 52-year-old instructor.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 15, 2023
Parliament passes law aimed at supporting people with dementia
The health ministry expects the number of people with dementia in Japan to reach 7 million by 2025.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2023
Woman arrested after allegedly spraying substance at Osaka store, sending 14 to hospital
The suspect, a resident of the city of Osaka’s Abeno Ward, admitted to the allegations and said the substance was pepper spray, according to the police.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2023
Two dead after shooting at Self-Defense Forces gun range in central Japan
An 18-year-old male suspect, a recent recruit of the Self-Defense Forces, was arrested at the scene.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 13, 2023
Japan panel weighs making morning-after pill available over the counter
Under the current policy, a visit to a medical institution and a prescription are required to purchase a morning-after pill.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 8, 2023
Fukuoka court rules same-sex marriage ban is in ‘state of unconstitutionality’
The ruling was the fifth among six lawsuits filed to date nationwide. Decisions have been split over the question of the ban’s constitutionality.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
May 31, 2023
How are firearms regulated in Japan?
The country is known for its strict gun-control laws, but recent shootings have prompted some to wonder how stringent they actually are.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 21, 2023
Zelenskyy schedules a news conference, and a reporter’s day is turned upside down
A Japan Times reporter was supposed to help write a story on a trilateral meeting between Japan, the U.S. and South Korea. But the Ukrainian president's schedule changed everything.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 16, 2023
Foreign media spotlight brought Johnny’s sexual abuse claims to the fore
With abuse accusations circulating for decades, reports by overseas media outlets ultimately cleared the way for coverage in the mainstream domestic press.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 15, 2023
Major Japanese talent agency apologizes over sexual assault claims
Allegations by former entertainers against the founder of Johnny & Associates have made headlines both domestically and internationally.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 10, 2023
Teens held after Ginza heist claim not to know each other
Police will analyze smartphones used by the suspects and probe their relationship and how they came together before the Monday robbery.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 9, 2023
Four teens arrested after robbery at luxury watch shop in Ginza
The assailants forced their way into the shop and threatened the clerk with a knife before fleeing with merchandise.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 8, 2023
Woman injured after can explodes at train station in Tokyo
Security camera footage shows a man placing an apparent coffee can near a ticket machine at Nishi-Arai Station before walking away. The man has been taken into custody.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 4, 2023
Almost half of young people in Japan have had suicidal thoughts, survey finds
About 56% of those who had suicidal thoughts did not speak to anyone about it, while 12.4% of people said they opened up to friends and 11.7% to their mothers.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2023
Japan and EU oppose U.S. plan for G7 to ban all exports to Russia, report says
The proposal, made by the United States, would ban all items from being exported to Russia, with exceptions including agricultural and medical products.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2023
Japan panel approves nation's first abortion pill
Final approval from the health minister is expected to follow, but the timing remains unclear.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 18, 2023
Suspect in Kishida attack sued government over election rules, records show
In the lawsuit, the suspect also touched on the state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, claiming the government forced the event to go forward despite public opposition.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 17, 2023
In wake of attack, Kishida thought of bystanders, election and G7 summit
In an exclusive interview, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he did not feel his life was threatened in the immediate aftermath of an attack on Saturday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2023
Suspect may have used homemade pipe bomb in Kishida attack, investigators say
The revelation came as police raided the home of the 24-year-old suspect in Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 15, 2023
Police probe explosives attack as Kishida returns to election rallies
A suspect is in custody after a cylindrical object landed 1 meter from the prime minister, who was evacuated before the device exploded.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals