The incident, which occurred late on February 14th, noticed three 17-year-old males attacked with a knife. Ryunosuke Kamata, an organization worker from Nara Prefecture, died after being stabbed within the chest, whereas one other sufferer stays unconscious in vital situation and a 3rd sustained critical accidents. Police arrested suspect Ryo Iwasaki on suspicion of homicide, although he has reportedly denied intent to kill.

Investigators say the deadly wound pierced Kamata’s coronary heart, and extra stab wounds reached the liver and neck, suggesting sturdy intent. Footage obtained by reporters seems to point out a person believed to be Iwasaki shortly earlier than his arrest strolling by means of the realm, discarding an merchandise and placing on what regarded like gloves. Police say the suspect was carrying gloves on the time of the assault and will have modified them.

Authorities imagine the suspect and the victims had met shortly earlier than the incident at an space referred to as “Gurishita,” the area beneath the enduring Glico billboard the place younger individuals have gathered for a number of years. Once seen as a spot for teens battling loneliness or household points to seek out companionship, the location has more and more change into related to drug use, underage ingesting, and transactional relationships, in line with interviews performed by Kansai TV’s News Runner program.

People aware of the realm say its environment has shifted in recent times. Some declare people now frequent the placement to make cash by means of intimidation, theft, or different illicit actions. Others report a rise in drug overdoses and arranged teams exerting management over youthful guests. One common described the realm bluntly: “It’s not a place you should come anymore.”

Several sources who knew the suspect stated he appeared to function underneath people who held affect over the realm and was typically seen carrying a knife. They described frequent confrontations, generally sparked by minor incidents comparable to bumping into somebody, that might escalate shortly into violence.

Following the incident, fewer younger individuals had been seen on the website, although international vacationers continued to cross by means of. A person who has visited Gurishita for a number of years stated organized teams and people carrying weapons had change into extra widespread over the previous two years, including that some individuals now come particularly as a result of they imagine they’ll earn cash there by means of legal actions.

Video obtained in the course of the investigation seems to point out teams related to the realm utilizing threats and violence to settle disputes, a apply generally referred to domestically as “tsume.” Those aware of Gurishita say the absence of clear hierarchies amongst youths can result in misunderstandings and conflicts, whereas the presence of organized actors has made the atmosphere extra harmful.

Experts and commentators notice similarities with different city youth gathering spots, comparable to areas in Tokyo the place susceptible younger individuals congregate and generally change into targets for recruitment into legal actions. They argue that stronger patrols and cooperation between native governments, police, and volunteer teams are wanted, however stress that prevention should start earlier by addressing the isolation and lack of protected areas that draw younger individuals to such places within the first place.

The investigation into the Dotonbori stabbing continues, however the case has already drawn consideration to the evolving actuality of Gurishita, the place a spot as soon as seen as a refuge for troubled youths is more and more seen as a breeding floor for organized violence and crime.

Source: KTV NEWS

Choju-giga, a set of illustrated handscrolls handed down at Kozanji Temple within the mountains about an hour by automobile from central Kyoto, is believed to have been produced between the late Heian and early Kamakura durations roughly 800 years in the past and is extensively recognized for its energetic depictions of anthropomorphized animals, incomes it the nickname “Japan’s oldest manga.”

Designated a nationwide treasure in 1905, the work consists of 4 scrolls with a complete size of about 44 meters, making it probably the most well-known cultural properties related to the temple, whereas the dynamic actions of animals drawn with out dialogue are sometimes described as a prototype of recent comics.

Today, the 4 scrolls are saved individually at two establishments, with the A and D scrolls held by the Tokyo National Museum and the B and C scrolls by the Kyoto National Museum, a measure extensively believed to be geared toward decreasing the chance of shedding your complete work within the occasion of earthquakes or different disasters.

Although no official doc clearly states the explanation for this divided storage, consultants say dispersing precious cultural belongings has precedent in Japan, citing examples such because the relocation of cultural properties from Nijo Castle to different prefectures throughout World War II to guard them from potential injury.

Strict environmental controls are additionally in place, with the scrolls saved in safe storage the place temperature, humidity and publicity to gentle are rigorously managed, and exhibition alternatives are uncommon, restricted to a couple of times each decade because of the fragility of the work, with the latest public show relationship again to 2014 and no future exhibitions at the moment scheduled.

Experts be aware that Kyoto’s choice as one storage location is pure given Kozanji Temple’s historic ties to the area, whereas the Tokyo National Museum traditionally served as a central establishment for presenting Japanese artwork and tradition abroad, elements that seemingly influenced the choice to separate the gathering between the 2 cities.

Much about Choju-giga stays shrouded in thriller, together with its creator and actual homeland, and researchers say efforts to unravel the secrets and techniques behind the treasured scrolls are more likely to proceed.

Source: Television OSAKA NEWS

Shortly earlier than midday, Hazuki appeared carrying a brown lengthy jacket, stopped in entrance of reporters and bowed his head. When requested by a reporter to supply a message to followers who proceed to assist him, he remained silent.

Hazuki was indicted on February seventeenth on costs of utilizing the designated drug etomidate at his dwelling in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, round December sixteenth, 2025.

According to the Hiroshima District Court, Hazuki’s lawyer filed a request for bail on February seventeenth, and the court docket granted bail on February 18th. Bail of three million yen has been paid.

At the time of his arrest, Hazuki denied utilizing the designated drug, saying he had no recollection of doing so, however later modified his assertion and admitted to utilizing it.

Source: FNN

Zensho Holdings, which operates manufacturers similar to Sukiya and Hama-Sushi, acquired Lotteria three years in the past and has been steadily changing shops to the Zetteria title, with the method scheduled to be accomplished by the top of March.

Popular menu gadgets from the Lotteria period, together with the “Zetsupin Beef Burger,” will proceed to be offered below the identical names, and the corporate plans to leverage the Zensho Group’s procurement and operational know-how to strengthen competitiveness and assist its growth technique.

Source: FNN

In Tokyo’s Asakusa district, usually bustling with international guests, vacationers from areas that commemorate the Lunar New Year have been seen in giant numbers. Visitors from South Korea and Indonesia mentioned they’d come to mark the vacation interval. At the identical time, some Chinese vacationers famous that there seemed to be fewer guests from China than earlier than, with one traveler from Beijing saying that foreigners appeared extra quite a few general and one other from Henan estimating that Chinese customer numbers had fallen by 50% to 60%.

Businesses providing experiences reminiscent of rickshaw rides and kimono leases, which had drawn many Chinese vacationers by way of 2025, are additionally feeling the change. Aiko Ozawa of Jidaiya, which handles Japanese cultural experiences, mentioned that primarily based on her impression, the variety of Chinese guests has certainly declined general.

At a well known filming spot close to Kamakurakoko-mae Station on the Enoden Line—well-known as a location related to the anime Slam Dunk—vacationers from Chile and Malaysia mentioned they’d come due to the sequence or on household journeys. Before the Chinese authorities started urging its residents to keep away from journey to Japan, the crossing had been filled with guests taking photographs, however a go to on January 18 instructed noticeably fewer individuals than in 2025. A vacationer from Shanghai mentioned this was their second go to and that probably the most noticeable change was the drop in crowds, including that frequent news about Japan–China relations had led relations to advise towards touring.

According to figures launched on January 18, about 385,000 Chinese guests got here to Japan in January 2026, down greater than 60% from the identical interval a yr earlier. The results are being felt throughout the nation.

In Osaka’s Shinsekai district, companies say the scenario throughout this yr’s Lunar New Year differs markedly from final yr. At a restaurant common with Chinese vacationers, Katsuya Ueyama, chairman of Kushikatsu Daruma, mentioned customer numbers have been clearly decrease than normal, estimating them at about one-fifth of regular ranges.

In Bibai, Hokkaido, which has attracted many international guests in recent times searching for winter actions, reservations from Chinese vacationers throughout the vacation interval totaled simply 50 individuals—one-fourteenth of the quantity seen in 2025. Takashi Komizu, supervisor of Alpen, mentioned the anticipated variety of Chinese guests had fallen considerably beneath preliminary projections.

As the Chinese authorities’s name to chorus from journey exhibits no signal of ending, consideration has turned to the size of the financial affect.

Japan National Tourism Organization information launched on January 18 confirmed that the variety of Chinese guests to Japan in January stood at about 385,000, down 60% year-on-year. Since the Chinese authorities started urging residents in November 2025 to keep away from touring to Japan, the development has continued to say no.

The impact can be seen in journey spending. According to the Japan Tourism Agency’s inbound consumption survey, international customer spending totaled 2.2969 trillion yen within the October–December quarter of 2024, of which Chinese guests accounted for 430.3 billion yen. In the identical interval of 2025, general spending rose to 2.533 trillion yen, however spending by Chinese guests fell to 353.4 billion yen.

While spending by Chinese vacationers has declined, general inbound consumption has elevated, suggesting Japan could also be progressively decreasing its reliance on Chinese demand. However, Masato Koike, a senior researcher at Sompo Institute Plus, estimates that if per-visitor spending stays unchanged from final yr, consumption throughout the Lunar New Year interval alone may fall by 48.5 billion yen, pushing down Japan’s GDP by about 0.01%.

Source: TBS

Aeon, considered one of Japan’s largest grocery store operators, is among the many newest to start promoting such merchandise below the slogan of “wearable fatigue recovery,” with clothes produced from skinny, clean material designed for consolation.

According to the corporate, minerals are blended into the fabric, and the ensuing far-infrared impact is alleged to advertise blood circulation and help restoration from fatigue.

Aeon had beforehand entered the restoration put on market in 2018 when the merchandise have been labeled as basic medical gadgets, however later halted gross sales after regulatory requirements modified. The retailer is now making a renewed push into the sector.

Junko Odajima, head of the attire division at Aeon Retail, stated: “General apparel, especially in the casual segment, faces intense competition and is trending downward. The growth area customers are seeking going forward will be health and wellness.”

Recovery put on, which has attracted consideration and was nominated for final 12 months’s buzzword awards, is predicted to see speedy market growth amid rising well being consciousness. Some forecasts recommend the market may develop to about 170 billion yen by 2030, almost 9 instances its dimension in 2024.

However, customers stay delicate to cost.

“If it’s loungewear, it would be great if I could buy it for around 3,000 yen. I want to keep costs down as much as possible,” one shopper stated. Another added, “I’m interested if it really helps recovery, because I do feel tired.” Others commented that such objects appear costly, with some anticipating costs of round 10,000 yen, whereas one particular person stated they might contemplate shopping for if fatigue aid have been obtainable for about 3,500 yen.

Retail chains at the moment are making an attempt to capitalize on that notion by providing lower-priced choices. Workman entered the restoration put on market final autumn, and Nitori adopted this month, each selling extra inexpensive merchandise.

In an more and more busy and exhausting fashionable society, demand for restoration and rest continues to develop, elevating the query of whether or not restoration put on will turn into extra accessible to on a regular basis customers.

Source: TBS

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, 64, informed a press convention that the federal government goals to safe passage by the tip of March for the fiscal 2026 funds and associated laws, which confronted delays in getting into deliberations within the House of Representatives as a result of current decrease home election.

Regarding future administration of the federal government, Takaichi mentioned, “I have absolutely no intention of assuming that we have been given a blank check. As before, we will seek cooperation from opposition parties that are willing to work constructively toward implementing policy.”

Takaichi additionally reiterated her dedication to introducing a two-year zero consumption tax price on meals and drinks and to advancing constitutional revision.

Following the press convention, the second Takaichi Cabinet held its first assembly.

Source: Kyodo