Master Blaster – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. Fri, 13 Nov 2026 17:30:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/en_rocket_1024.png?w=32 Master Blaster – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com 32 32 176746664 Tokyo police arrest the Ame-zing Spider-Man https://soranews24.com/2026/11/14/tokyo-police-arrest-the-ame-zing-spider-man/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/14/tokyo-police-arrest-the-ame-zing-spider-man/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2026 17:30:26 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749580 
Your unfriendly rainy-day Spider-Man.
For nearly a decade, Tokyo had been terrorized by a wall-crawling bandit who would climb into the higher floors of buildings and make off with whatever cash or valuables he could get his sticky fingers on. His name was Yuki Horiguchi, but to police, he’s known as the Ame-zing Spider-Man.
That’s not a typo in his nickname. The Japanese word for “rain” is “ame” (ah-may), and this Spider-Man’s MO was to strike on rainy days in particular. Likely relying on the fact that people tend to not look up when it’s raining, Horiguchi would access the roofs of buildings using emergency stairs on the outside, and then rappel down to a window, breaking through it to access the building and burglarize it.
This is what he did on one rainy day in December 2025. Climbing down a rope and gaining entry to the sixth-floor balcony of a head spa in Taito, he stole a portable safe and a wallet before moving to an adjacent building and stealing about 110,000 yen (US$690) in cash.
It isn’t clear how police managed to catch the Ame-zing Spider-Man this time, but the thing about getting a cool nickname from the police is that they know exactly when it’s you who committed a crime. Horiguchi had already been picked up by law enforcement in 2019 for similar burglaries on rainy days, so it isn’t taking much to link this and some 50 other incidents in the Greater Tokyo Area over the past year alone to Spidey.
Many readers of the news online took serious issue with a criminal being given the honorable name of “Spider-Man.”
“He should apologize to the real Spider-Man!”
“Normally, I’d say talented criminals should put their skills toward doing good work, but this guy kind of seems really cut out to be a burglar more than anything.”
“Giving him a name like that shows a complete lack of sincerity towards the victims.”
“He doesn’t deserve the name Spider-Man.”
“50 times?! They can’t let that slide.”
“That’s lame.”
“The cop who came up with ‘Ame-zing Spider-Man’ should be arrested too.”
“I wonder if Sony will complain about this.”
“Seems like a lot of effort and risk for 110,000 yen.”
“More like Lupin III than Spider-Man.”
“He doesn’t have any mutant powers. He’s just a bad Daredevil.”
It seems rather likely that this repeat offender will be spending a lot of time behind bars. Perhaps he can learn there that with a great nickname comes great attention from the police, and finally knock it off with this life of crime.
Source: FNN Online Prime, Hachima Kiko
Images: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/14/tokyo-police-arrest-the-ame-zing-spider-man/feed/ 0 749580 Yakuza boss sues expressway owners for discrimination against criminals https://soranews24.com/2026/11/12/yakuza-boss-sues-expressway-owners-for-discrimination-against-criminals/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/12/yakuza-boss-sues-expressway-owners-for-discrimination-against-criminals/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2026 05:00:07 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749496 
You gotta fight for your right to be a party to a contract.
Ever since 2011, things have been getting rougher and rougher for members of organized crime groups in Japan. That was when a law was passed prohibiting companies from entering into contracts with any known member. That’s why any time you sign up for a phone or point card, you have to declare on it whether or not you belong to such a group.
And with just about everything shifting from cash-based purchases to cashless subscriptions, members of groups such as the yakuza are in an increasingly tight situation.
One example can be found on Japan’s many privately owned expressways that require a toll to drive on. It is expected that all toll boths will end cash toll payments in favor of the ETC card system by 2030. An ETC card is like an auxiliary credit card that hooks up directly to your car and is detected automatically as you enter and leave an expressway, billing you the appropriate amount. You need to sign up for one much like you do with a credit card, which means yakuza cannot.
Feeling his freedom of movement was hindered by this, a senior yakuza member filed a lawsuit against the operators of expressways, such as NEXCO East, for discrimination. According to the suit, in July 2023, the plaintiff attempted to apply for a special ETC Personal Card that doesn’t require a credit card to use, because he can’t get one of those either. On the application was a checkbox that should be marked if the applicant is a member of an organized crime group. The plaintiff just crossed that whole section out and filled in the rest of the application properly. He was notified a month later that his application was denied.
On 10 November, a ruling was handed down in Fukuoka District Court, wherein Judge Masakatsu Tange dismissed the lawsuit, saying that by not being able to use expressways, the restrictions on his rights and freedoms were very minor.
In Japan, these roads are completely optional, and it is possible to take similar routes to anywhere in the country. The only major benefits are a lack of traffic lights that will generally ensure a swifter arrival than regular city streets. So, the judge is right in that regard. The yakuza member’s ability to go places is more inconvenienced than it is obstructed.
▼ Though in his defense, the sheer number of red lights on regular streets in Japan is rather maddening.
There’s a strange kind of irony to see the yakuza trying to settle matters in a court of law. He also has a point that these restrictive laws against people like him are technically discriminatory, but the matter boils down to whether society deems it right to discriminate against criminals or not. Most online comments regarding this story seem to agree that it is right.
“Just walk then.”
“He’s not really a credible plaintiff, after all.”
“Maybe he should just stop doing illegal stuff?”
“That’s on him.”
“They’re free to leave that life behind, aren’t they?”
“What is this guy talking about? It’s not like he follows the law.”
“They shouldn’t even be allowed to have driver’s licenses.”
“Even with that kind of ETC card, he’d need a bank account, so how did he get that? Or a lawyer, for that matter?”
This law prohibiting doing business with organized crime groups was enacted in 2011, meaning before that it was possible for members to open bank accounts and do lots of other things. That’s why you might see a yakuza member using an old flip phone, because they’re contractually stuck in that era’s tech. Also, many people get bank accounts at a young age, likely before they enter a life of crime.
As for hiring a lawyer, that is a constitutional right that cannot be denied, so crime groups are allowed to enter into contracts with attorneys as an exception. That’s also why they can receive medical care, which is also a business transaction but guaranteed by law. Public utility providers also cannot refuse service to anyone by law, but yakuza members technically aren’t allowed to buy property, so I’m not sure where they’ll hook it up.
Still, it’s definitely a pain in the butt being a member of the yakuza these days, and by design. It just goes to show that all the goons in the world can’t save you from a passive-aggressive bureaucracy.
Source: Asahi Shimbun, Itai News
Images: Pakutaso (1, 2), ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/12/yakuza-boss-sues-expressway-owners-for-discrimination-against-criminals/feed/ 0 749496 Historical-themed illumination display returns to Osaka Castle this winter https://soranews24.com/2026/11/12/historical-themed-illumination-display-returns-to-osaka-castle-this-winter/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/12/historical-themed-illumination-display-returns-to-osaka-castle-this-winter/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2026 17:30:49 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749428 
The greatest lights in history and the greatest history in lights.
I’ve never been too good at history, mainly because I’m terrible at remembering names and dates. But I find when it’s presented in ways other than fact sheets, I can remember what happened a lot more clearly. If you’re like me, then an upcoming event in Osaka might be just what you need to handle the long and complex history of Japan.
From 20 November to 14 February, the Nishinomaru Garden of Osaka Castle will be brilliantly lit up. Although an illumination display might just sound like a bunch of lights, they tend to go really all out with them in Japan, and the Osaka Castle Illuminage is no exception.
This year’s theme is “Unification of the Realm, Shogun – A Story in Light,” and boasts almost as many lights as it has subtitles, fittingly using the castle that noted warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi once resided in as a backdrop. In a nutshell, Toyotomi was one of The Three Unifiers of Japan, having worked his way up from the peasant class to grasp control of the entire country. He ordered the construction of Osaka Castle as a base of operations for about a decade before his death in 1598.
This illumination event goes far beyond that, however, with an array of dazzling displays both educational and fantastical. Upon entering the garden, guests will follow a corridor of 66 lanterns to help you feel like you’re right in the light show, rather than looking at it from afar.
Then, there’s an array of taiko drums, bearing the paulownia crest of the Toyotomi clan, which is still used by the Japanese government today. The drums are meant to be a symbol of the strength the entire country has when working together as one, while also providing the atmosphere of a traditional festival, where these types of drums are often employed.
Deeper inside is a light display in the shape of a large nanban trading ship. It is often pointed out that “nanban” literally means “Southern barbarian” and was used for Portuguese traders who successfully reached Japan. However, it was more of a generalized term inherited from Chinese, and many of the goods, arts, and technology brought in by these traders were highly regarded. That’s not to say the “barbarian” label wasn’t used pejoratively as well. There was plenty of discrimination to go around back then too.
Speaking of which, the fashions brought in from foreign traders were often well received and had a gradual influence on Japanese culture. It’s something that can be seen in a line of light-based illustrations showcasing how people dressed from 1615 through the large-scale Westernization of Japan in the early 20th century and to the present day.
The journey ends at a plaza-like area with neon light displays featuring an assortment of images from Japanese culture, past and present. It’s the perfect place to take a commemorative photo of your visit.
This year will also see two new additions to Osaka Castle Illuminage. First, there’s a butterfly swing that is likely to see a lot of action. When rocking back and forth on this four-meter-tall swing set, the wings of the giant butterfly on top move.
There’s also a small enclosure that you can enter. Its walls are made of dozens of pinwheels, so when a breeze comes by, they’ll spin and scatter the lights in unexpected patterns.
The Osaka Castle Illuminage will be open every day during the period from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. rain or shine. Just remember that although much of Osaka Castle is free to walk around, the Nishinomaru Garden section charges an admission of 2,000 yen (US$13) for adults and 1,000 yen for kids, but babies get in for free. There’s also a really good cake shop nearby if you need to kill some time before it gets dark.
Check it out if you can and learn some history or be doomed to repeat it. Just like that guy, whatsisface from the 17th or 18th century.
Event information
Osaka Castle Illuminage: Unification of the Realm, Shogun – A Story in Light / 大阪城イルミナージュ「天下一統 光の章 SHOGUN 」
Osaka Nishinomaru Garden
大阪城西の丸庭園
Osaka-fu, Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-jo 2
大阪府大阪市中央区大阪城2
Period: 20 November, 2026 – 14 February, 2027
Hours: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Admission: Junior High Students and Up – 2,000 yen, Elementary Students and under – 1,000 yen, 1-year-old and Under – Free
Website
Source, images: PR Times
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/12/historical-themed-illumination-display-returns-to-osaka-castle-this-winter/feed/ 0 749428 Japanese drivers reminded to look out for drunk people passed out on the road this holiday season https://soranews24.com/2026/11/11/japanese-drivers-reminded-to-look-out-for-drunk-people-passed-out-on-the-road-this-holiday-season/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/11/japanese-drivers-reminded-to-look-out-for-drunk-people-passed-out-on-the-road-this-holiday-season/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2026 13:00:13 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749402 
As if driving in Japan isn’t hard enough.
As the year gradually draws to a close, it’s the time for many organizations to hold their year-end parties. Although many younger people have been increasingly distancing themselves from overindulging in alcohol, drinking is still a major part of these year-end festivities.
As a result, this is also the prime time of year to find business people passed out on benches, the side of the road, or, more problematically, right in the middle of roads. People passing out on roads, or “rojo nekomi” as it’s known in Japan, is not new but a lot of attention has been given to it in recent years after people started heading back to the bars in a post-COVID world.
In 2023, about 32 percent of nighttime traffic fatalities involving pedestrians in Tokyo were people who fell asleep on the street. However, alcohol shouldn’t take all the blame for this either. According to the National Police Agency, only 70 percent of rojo nekomi incidents were connected to alcohol, with rising temperatures and an aging population leading to other health issues like heatstroke causing people to faint on the road.
▼ The Japan Auto Federation released a video examining how easy it is for drivers to spot and respond to a person sleeping on the road at night. It’s in Japanese but fairly easy to get the gist of, regardless of the language.
In response, various taxi companies have begun working hand-in-hand with the police forces of 32 prefectures to keep an eye out for unconscious people on the streets. The programs seem to be effective as well, because on 9 November, a pair of Tokyo cab drivers were officially commended for assisting street sleepers in two separate incidents.
Seijo Police Station invited 70-year-old Yoshitatsu Miura and 28-year-old Kazuki Yamamoto to honor their efforts in rescuing two people from potential death. During the ceremony, Miura explained that he encountered the body at about 2 a.m. and shone his headlights on the person to make them highly visible to other motorists while he called the emergency number for help.
In Yamamoto’s case, he felt disappointed that while he was helping the unconscious person, there were other people walking along the street at the time. Some just chose to look the other way.
Online comments were happy everything turned out fine in these instances, while some admitted they might not have the courage to get involved like these drivers had.
“Everyone was lucky this had a happy ending. If the drivers had hit those people, their lives would have been ruined too.”
“Papers are nice and all, but give them some money for that!”
“I saw an elderly man sleeping on the road while drunk. I asked if he was OK, but he just yelled at me, so I just moved him out of the way and left. From now on, I’m going to ignore anyone I see like that.”
“I wonder what the cutoff is for getting commendations? Tons of people report stuff to the police, after all.”
“It’s a common thing in Tokyo near the end of the year.”
“If you get so drunk that you sleep on the road, then alcohol isn’t for you.”
“I don’t want to get involved, so I probably wouldn’t touch them, but I think I could call someone…”
“People who get drunk and fall asleep on the street should be penalized too.”
Punishing those who fall asleep on the streets due to drunkenness is a tricky issue. Unlike in Western countries, being even extremely drunk in public is not illegal as long as the intoxicated person is not harassing, assaulting, or damaging anyone or anything. If someone is passed out due to alcohol, the police will detain them for their own protection rather than to arrest them for a crime.
That being said, obstructing traffic by lying down or sitting on the road is a crime, punishable by a maximum fine of 50,000 yen (US$317). The problem here is that it’s pretty hard to prove intent on the part of the sleeping person if they’re unconscious at the time of the offense.
In Okinawa, where the warm climate has helped to make rojo nekomi a more pervasive problem, the police have been more aggressive and have begun charging repeat offenders with traffic obstruction charges.
▼ This news report features harrowing dashcam footage of a driver stopping right in front of a person sleeping on the road in Itoman, Okinawa.
As far as civil litigation goes, the liability for damages or injuries that occurred is considered 30 percent the sleeper’s if during the day and 50 percent if at night. But regardless of how these incidents play out, no good comes of it for anyone involved, so stay safe either by drinking in moderation and getting a safe ride home or by driving at a reasonable speed at night with the appropriate lights in use.
Source: FNN Online Prime, YouTube/ANNnewsCH 1, 2, Lawyer Koga Office, DE Plus One
Image: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/11/japanese-drivers-reminded-to-look-out-for-drunk-people-passed-out-on-the-road-this-holiday-season/feed/ 0 749402 Japanese viewers of Godzilla Minus Zero angered by unusual number of restroom goers https://soranews24.com/2026/11/11/japanese-viewers-of-godzilla-minus-zero-angered-by-unusual-number-of-restroom-goers/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/11/japanese-viewers-of-godzilla-minus-zero-angered-by-unusual-number-of-restroom-goers/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:00:45 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749382 
Godzilla films are famous for their subtlety and require complete concentration.
Culture Day in Japan was on 3 November, and what better way to celebrate culture than by watching the latest Godzilla film, Godzilla Minus Zero? It was a thought held by many, as the monster movie drew in an amazing 910 million yen (US$5.8M) on its opening day alone, breaking the record for a live-action film in Japan.
However, while the film itself has been incredibly well-received by critics and audiences alike, some moviegoers in Japan complained about their viewing experience. The biggest beef of all was that too many people were getting up to go to the restroom during the film.
One post by a social media user said they had an aisle seat during the movie and shortly into it, people had started going to the bathroom one after another, ruining their ability to get into the story. This might just sound like a single oversensitive reaction to this sort of thing, but the post generated significant discussion, with a majority of people agreeing.
Others also reported an inordinate number of people going to hit the head during their screenings of Godzilla Minus Zero (or Godzilla -0.0 as it’s known in Japan), including head counts they took during the film. It was enough to make me wonder if I was the weird one for paying absolutely no mind to other people going in and out of the theater in the many movies I’ve seen over the years.
There were a few comments to the contrary, saying that complaining about such a thing was going overboard. But there were many more people talking about how hard it was for them to fight the urge to pee towards the end of the movie, which, by the way, includes sitting through the entire credits. That is expected behavior among many moviegoers in Japan, not in the hopes of seeing additional scenes, but purely out of respect for the people who made the film.
I’d probably stop short of saying this is “Japanese culture” per se, but it definitely appears to be a prevailing sentiment here. To help get a sense of how people feel about this stuff, here’s a wide sampling of reactions to the situation, covering a range of opinions.
“When I saw it, no one went to the bathroom, but when the end credits started, a bunch of people got up right away to leave.”
“I think once that first person goes, everyone else feels like it’s okay, and the floodgates open.”
“I heard someone call the movie Godzilla vs King Ghidorah vs The Urge to Pee, lol.”
“A lot of people got up from their seats here too.”
“That’s the problem with blockbuster movies. They draw in people who don’t usually go to the movies.”
“When I saw it, the same people went in and out like six or seven times during the movie.”
“There was a crazy number of people going to the bathroom!”
“I was holding it in so long, it came out like a blast of atomic breath when I finally went.”
“Everyone had good manners when I saw it in Wakayama.”
“I saw two adults and one child get up during the movie, but no one got up during the credits.”
“You should just let it slide. Holding it in isn’t good for you.”
“That’s why I always watch on IMAX when possible. The screen is so big you can barely see anyone walking in front of it.”
“This is why I never go to movies. Some people might have medical issues, you know?”
“I get that it can’t be helped, but someone got up behind me, and I felt bad for all the people that person walked in front of.”
“Seriously? Calling people out just for using the restroom? I think etiquette is going in a weird direction.”
“I saw Street Fighter and had to go early on. I held it in right to the end of the credits, but it was really close.”
“Soooooo many people went to the restrooms. And during one of the scenes where a character laughed, some brat in the row behind me started laughing too. Shut the hell up!”
“Yeah, there were tons of people. I wonder why that is.”
Regardless of people’s feelings about the situation, the one objective observation here is that an inordinate number of people do seem to be going to the restroom during Godzilla Minus Zero specifically. It’s a bit of a lengthy movie, clocking in at 135 minutes, but some mention that the number of people ducking out for a moment well exceeded that of lengthier movies such as the 172-minute-long The Odyssey.
There were numerous theories as to why this is. One was that Godzilla, which dates back to the 1950s, tends to attract an older demographic who may lack the firm bladder control that the youth enjoys. The other is that the fact that a major commercial film opening on a public holiday brought in an inordinate number of people who weren’t “true movie buffs,” or perhaps just decided to see it in on a whim without planning their hydration accordingly.
By the way, according to many of the comments, a popular way to suppress the urge to urinate before watching a movie is to eat Bontan Ame candies or daifuku, the latter of which are little snacks made of sweet bean paste covered in mochi. There’s no science to back this up, but who am I to deny people their placebos?
There’s also a suspicion that a lot of people didn’t even leave to use a toilet. It could have been that some people weren’t prepared for the scenes of destruction depicted in the film, which can often resemble actual natural disasters and hit close to home for more than a few people in Japan.
Regardless of the cause, it seems the one thing we can learn from this is that when watching a movie in Japan, the safe bet is to sit perfectly still and quiet until the very last bit of footage hits the silver screen to avoid the silent wrath and judgmental stares of those around you.
Source: Shukan Josei Prime via Yahoo! Japan News
Photo ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/11/japanese-viewers-of-godzilla-minus-zero-angered-by-unusual-number-of-restroom-goers/feed/ 0 749382 Kenshi Yonezu’s Lemon hits 1 billion views on YouTube and he’s still not quite sure why https://soranews24.com/2026/11/09/kenshi-yonezus-lemon-hits-1-billion-views-on-youtube-and-hes-still-not-quite-sure-why/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/09/kenshi-yonezus-lemon-hits-1-billion-views-on-youtube-and-hes-still-not-quite-sure-why/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2026 03:00:35 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749252 
He handed life a ‘Lemon.’
Back in 2018, one song in particular was tearing up the charts in Japan. It was a somewhat somber pop song balanced with an energetic rock rhythm, known as ‘Lemon.’ It won several awards, was played on calculators, and in addition to charting number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for 2018, it has continued to chart in the annual Hot 100 every year since.
Now, eight years since its initial release, the song has earned yet another honor by surpassing one billion views on YouTube. It’s rarefied air that ‘Lemon’ now shares with the likes of ‘Baby Shark,’ and in honor of this achievement, songwriter Kenshi Yonezu released the following statement, translated from Japanese:
“In all honesty, I still don’t really get why ‘Lemon’ became such a huge song with this wide a reach. I mean, of course I never set out to make a trivial piece of music, and I totally get that Lemon only grew into a phenomenon because it was the theme song for the truly excellent television show Unnatural*, and because the production team treated it with the utmost care and affection.*
But I remember back when I first released Lemon, I was completely blown away by the explosive momentum its reputation spread with. I thought to myself, ‘Hang on… Is this really going to be my signature song?’ It was like lighting a small scrap of wood on fire, thinking I’d start a campfire, only to have the flames spread instantly and eventually turn into a full-blown wildfire with me just standing there holding a lighter in one hand and a bucket of water in the other. That’s how the whole situation looked from my perspective.
When I was growing up, I’d see these brilliant musicians act dismissive about their own signature songs, claiming they never saw what was so good about them or refusing to play them live because they didn’t like them. At the time, I’d think to myself, ‘It’s clearly a great song! Don’t play cool and act like you don’t know it!’ But now that it’s happened to me, I finally understand why they felt the way they did.
To put it simply, songs like this end up leaving the creator’s original intentions and personal feelings in the dust. They move at such an incredible speed they basically become public domain overnight. I guess it’s only natural to resent that a little bit. In a way, ‘Lemon’ has allowed me to pull up a chair at the same table as these great musicians, at least in the sense that I can empathize with them now.
It might sound like I’m complaining, but I want to be clear that I have always felt and always will feel tremendous gratitude towards ‘Lemon.’ It took an untamed, raggedy stray dog from the sticks like me and threw my life into complete chaos. It showed me sights that I’d never dream of seeing and guided me into a life so absurdly entertaining that it nearly wears me out.
Some nights I imagine myself in the future as a pathetic and withered old man singing ‘Lemon’ and strumming along in front of some kids 40 years younger than me. They’d bluntly tell me off, saying, ‘Give all those depressing songs a break,’ and ‘No one even remembers that song anymore,’ but that’s just the way it is.”
It’s good to see the fame hasn’t changed Yonezu much. He still seems to be the somewhat brooding but incredibly insightful guy he was eight years ago. Online comments were also intrigued by his surprisingly astute and sincere reflections on having a billion-view song.
“What a wonderful statement that really conveys Yonezu’s true feelings and sense of astonishment about this.”
“Wow! Last time I checked, it was about 600 million.”
“He’s totally talking about Bump of Chicken and ‘Tentai Kansoku’ in that middle part, lol!”
“He’s really got class. You can see how he struggles to process how the public reaction doesn’t align with his own assessment of his work without sounding bitter about it.”
“He’s an artist, musician, and a great writer too.”
“That comment makes me happy! Congratulations on ‘Lemon’ hitting a billion views!”
“It’s the classic story. The things an artist doesn’t try too hard to make end up being the most highly regarded.”
“What an annoyingly long-winded rant. I read the whole thing, but still…”
“He should try writing an autobiography sometime. I’d like to read it.”
“I like the way he writes about ‘Lemon’ better than ‘Lemon.’”
I kind of agree that ‘Lemon’ isn’t even really Yonezu firing on all cylinders, and would argue he’s done some stuff much more deserving of a billion views. However, the part about him feeling bad when people misunderstand his work is really making me nervous about our 1,000-word analysis of how ‘Paprika’ is really about children who died. He’s never copped to it, but I’d eat my hat if it isn’t.
Source: Reissue Records, My Game News Flash
Image: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/09/kenshi-yonezus-lemon-hits-1-billion-views-on-youtube-and-hes-still-not-quite-sure-why/feed/ 1 749252 Japanese government hires leading comedy agency to explain national defense spending https://soranews24.com/2026/11/07/japanese-government-hires-leading-comedy-agency-to-explain-national-defense-spending/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/07/japanese-government-hires-leading-comedy-agency-to-explain-national-defense-spending/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2026 16:00:59 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749089 
The number one rule of comedy is unwavering loyalty to the government.
I suppose in terms of things on a global scale, the Japanese government isn’t doing all that bad. It’s just that with all the talk of how Prime Minister Takaichi works constantly and rarely sleeps, I was sort of expecting something more in the way of results.
Don’t get me wrong, since coming into power, her cabinet pissed off China right quick, jacked up visa fees, and made it so people can’t poop on the flag. These are all indeed things that were done, and yet, all those efforts don’t seem to have changed the fact that the cost of living in Japan keeps going up and that entire cities are on the verge of being taken over by bears and monkeys.
One other thing the Takaichi cabinet has been hard at work at is amending the constitution of Japan to give the military more freedom to take action in overseas conflicts that may not directly threaten the safety of this country. Opponents of this idea say that it goes against the principles of Japan’s previously pacifist constitution, but maybe this is just a very complex situation in an increasingly destabilized world, which may have aspects not everyone is aware of. If only there was a sassy comedy duo that could explain it all in terms an average Joe can understand!
And just like that, our prayers are answered. The Government Public Relations Office has teamed up with Japan’s leading comedy talent agency Yoshimoto Kogyo to produce a campaign that explains why some of the seemingly uninspiring things the government’s been doing are actually very good.
Yoshimoto specializes in the style of comedy known as manzai. This is a bit of a throwback to the vaudeville era of Western comedy, often involving duos wherein one is the straight man (tsukkomi) and the other the funny man (boke). This particular series seems to employ a Burns and Allen style combo featuring the husband Kunio and wife Tamiyo, as they trade quips over national policy.
▼ A video trailer for the campaign
The art of manzai is largely associated with the culture of Osaka, and is often best delivered in an Osaka dialect and accent, which I prefer to liken to a Staten Island accent, more or less based on vibes alone. There are currently seven pages where Kunio and Tamiyo crack wise about national policy in this manner of speaking, so let’s take a look at their talk about national defense.
Tamiyo: “Did you know that Japan’s support ships help sustain our daily lives? They support the world, and Japan is supported as well.”
Kunio: “Actually, more than 80 percent of the ships they protect belong to other countries! Japan helps to safeguard its allies, so the world protects Japan in return. We work together and look out for one another, ya know?”
…
Oh, that’s it? Hahahaha!
Granted, it’s hard to make cooperative maritime defense funny, or at least, it’s hard when your job is being a government mouthpiece. Let’s see how they handle some softball topics like the space program instead.
Tamiyo: “You ever take it for granted that we can go places we’ve never been before and don’t get lost?”
Kunio: “Actually, we’re being guided from space. Japan’s Michibiki satellite system provides us with directions around the clock.”
…
Sorry, I was thinking about something else there. That one was quite a whiff too, wasn’t it? Alright, let’s take a look at their hot take on AI. This should be a slam dunk since the characters appear to have been hastily generated by AI themselves.
Tamiyo: “You think since AI can help with things like planning meals or finding information, it can also be useful for national security?”
Kunio: “Actually, efforts are underway to leverage AI so that it can help safeguard the nation.”
…
Jeez, they’re hardly even using an Osaka dialect in these. Getting a comedy routine down solid is hard work and takes time. We can at least see the seeds of the mansplaining premise beginning to sprout. It all makes me wonder if maybe I’m being too hard on the comedic stylings of Tamiyo and Kunio. Let’s see what online comments say about them.
“Are they trying to brainwash us with propaganda now?”
“The all-knowing man teaching his dimwitted wife. This really encapsulates why Japan ranks 114th out of 145 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index.”
“This is the lowest form of propaganda. I’m done supporting Yoshimoto and won’t buy anything their performers do commercials for.”
“They clearly think the public is stupid. They’re looking down on all of us.”
“They must think we’re insanely gullible.”
“It seems that the country is the role of the ‘husband,’ and the people are the ‘wife,’ which is also just creepy.”
“There is no way this will foster understanding. Stop it immediately.”
“Don’t waste our tax money on this garbage. If the Prime Minister would just show up in the Diet to provide proper answers or hold actual press conferences, this wouldn’t be necessary!”
“This is very dystopian.”
I scrolled far and wide and could not find anyone with an even remotely positive thing to say about this campaign. It does not bode well for the government, whose recent lifting of a ban on exporting lethal weapons is currently opposed by about 57 percent of the population, according to a poll by Japan’s Kyodo news organization. Kyodo also cites sources inside the government as saying that explanations of policy that avoid words like “lethal” would be more effective in swaying public opinion.
That does sound a tad Orwellian, but we shouldn’t knock it till we try it, so let’s see what Tamiyo and Kunio have to say about the nation’s defense policy.
Tamiyo: “You ever think we take uneventful days for granted?”
Kunio: “Actually, the fact that nothing newsworthy happened today just goes to show ya. A day where ‘nothing happens’ ain’t no coincidence. It’s the result of tireless work to keep us safe.”
Ha! Those two kill me.
Source: Public Relations Office – Government of Japan, PR Times, Kyodo, My Game News Flash
Images: PR Times
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/07/japanese-government-hires-leading-comedy-agency-to-explain-national-defense-spending/feed/ 0 749089 Tokyo to build new crematoriums to meet surging demand https://soranews24.com/2026/11/06/tokyo-to-build-new-crematoriums-to-meet-surging-demand/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/06/tokyo-to-build-new-crematoriums-to-meet-surging-demand/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2026 01:00:51 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749100 
Death is a growth industry that no one’s happy about.
There has been a lot of talk about the aging population in Japan and how it’s affecting society and the economy. But a more immediate concern is how to handle the influx of people currently dying across the country.
According to estimates, the number of deaths per year is expected to swell to a peak of 1.65 million in 2040, but with the current number over 1.5 million, Japan looks poised to overshoot that estimate considerably. Large cities in particular are starting to feel the strain, since the common method of internment in Japan is cremation. Luckily, this means cemetery space can be kept rather small, but the facilities to perform cremations are limited.
There have been reports of crematoriums in Chiba Prefecture issuing wait times of as many as 10 days, and supply and demand has also seen the costs of such services rise as well. In normal businesses, this would attract other competitors who would eventually bring down prices, but that is especially difficult for crematoriums as they are very costly to set up and zoning laws make it very hard to even find a place to put a facility for burning human remains.
▼ Urayasu Crematorium is located right beside Tokyo Disneyland, you can see just a bit of it if you look to your left along with the Tokyo Skytree in the distance.
Nowhere is this situation more severe then the dense metropolis of Tokyo, whose government recently decided to take matters into their own hands and are drafting a proposal to build a series of small-scale publicly run crematoriums throughout the 23 wards. They will focus on adding locations where they are needed most, and if necessary, relax zoning laws to allow them to fit.
That’s not to say the private sector is sitting around doing nothing. In recent years, Japan has seen the emergence of what is colloquially called “itai hotels” (literally “corpse hotels”). These are facilities that refrigerate the body so it is preserved until cremation can be made available, while also allowing loved ones to visit in a respectful, home-like environment. True to the name, they even offer rates comparable to a hotel’s, ranging from 10,000 to 200,000 per day depending on size and quality.
▼ News report showing the inside of an itai hotel
The real difficulty in these projects is that, despite how serious the problem is now, it’s destined to be a temporary one because of Japan’s shrinking population, making it harder to make a case for large-scale infrastructure investment. At least if governments take the initiative in building new crematoriums, they can be shut down more easily when no longer needed, and itai hotels are more or less standard commercial facilities that can be easily repurposed.
It’s an awkward situation that Japan is still trying to feel its way around, but it’s something many other countries are going to have to face in the coming years. Hopefully, others can learn from what goes right and what goes wrong here.
Source: TBS News Dig, Yomiuri Shimbun Online, YTV
Top image: Pakutaso
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/06/tokyo-to-build-new-crematoriums-to-meet-surging-demand/feed/ 0 749100 Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough https://soranews24.com/2026/11/06/pachinko-parlor-operator-arrested-for-not-obscuring-the-act-of-gambling-well-enough/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/06/pachinko-parlor-operator-arrested-for-not-obscuring-the-act-of-gambling-well-enough/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:00:16 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=749017 
If you’re going to do wrong, do wrong right.
For many years, pachinko parlors have stood tall and proud in just about every community across the country as bastions of the human desire to make quick money without having to work for it. Every day, thousands and thousands of people flock to the large and comfortably equipped complexes, seemingly never realizing that the main reason these places are so large and comfortably equipped is that they’re the ones ending up with the money.
It should be noted that pachinko is technically not gambling, however. Japan has frowned on the vice of gambling for most of its history, with the exception of government-run operations of horse racing, boat racing, bicycle racing, and the lottery, as well as a recently enacted law allowing strictly managed casinos in integrated resorts.
▼ You get four forms of gambling and that’s it! OK, fine! Five, but that’s really it!
Even when pachinko players win, they get no money awarded by the parlor. Depending on the performance of the player, they are awarded metal balls by the machine. They’re kind of like the tickets you’d get from a skee-ball machine, and in the same way, you can trade in the balls at a counter in the parlor for wonderful “special prizes” (tokushu keihin). These prizes can be ordinary arbitrary items like pens or lighter flint, but many places nowadays award cards with tiny pieces of gold in them to help prevent counterfeiting.
▼ It takes a lot of balls to play this game.
As luck would have it, right beside, or at least not too far from the pachinko parlor, there is always a store owned by people who seem to really love these special prizes. If you go here, you can sell them for ridiculously more than they’re actually worth and walk away with a nice chunk of change from a legitimate sale of your newfound special prizes. It’s a bit of a silly business model if you ask me, which must be why these places are often very modest-looking and have little to no signage.
▼ On your right is a pachinko parlor and on the left is a shop that buys prizes for a pachinko parlor. It may look like the same business, but that store is technically in a different building and owned by a different company, and what’s with all the questions anyway? What, are you a cop or something?
Of course, since they offer such amazing prices for these prizes, they often end up with too many. But a lucky coincidence strikes again in the form of a wholesaler who is willing to buy those items from the shop, practically at cost, and sell them back to the pachinko parlors, once again, practically at cost. Since these are all legit sales, the government gets its piece of the action in the form of taxes, and everyone’s happy… except those players without wonderful special prizes, of whom there are many.
This circle of life is called the “santen hoshiki” or “three-store system,” and it’s what separates dirty, yucky gambling from shiny, happy free-market capitalism. But should a pachinko parlor take it upon themselves to not follow the three-store system, trouble awaits, as it did recently in Miyagi Prefecture.
On October 30th, it was reported that charges were filed against the manager and operating company of a pachinko parlor in the city of Ishinomaki. According to the charges, on 20 January, the parlor purchased four special prizes from a customer for a total of 3,500 yen (US$22), thus bypassing the three-store system and awarding cash prizes for games of chance. This parlor had since closed down, but the 71-year-old manager confessed to the act. This is the first such case to occur in Miyazaki since 2007.
Readers of the news expressed understandable confusion in comments with regard to what the heck is actually going on with pachinko in Japan in the first place.
“Seriously, why is the three-store system only permitted for pachinko parlors? Has that ever actually been explained?”
“Why go through with all this superficial nonsense? Just ban pachinko for crying out loud.”
“This is kind of absurd, isn’t it?”
“In Asakusa [in Tokyo] there’s an exchange booth for a pachinko parlor right next to a police box.”
“There’s probably some other crime involved they want to look into.”
“Funny how pachinko parlor staff never seem to notice the mysterious little shacks sitting right on their own premises.”
“The three-shop system is inherently illegal, isn’t it?”
“I’ll just go and set up my own three-shop system then.”
While it sounds like a great idea to set up your own casino and only give away prizes that can be cycled through the three-store system, that will likely land you in prison. As mentioned in the comments, this system is only applicable to pachinko and slot machines. All other games are regulated differently.
Casino games are the most highly regulated, and if the house gives out so much as a mustache comb, they’ll get shut down faster than you can say, “A mustache comb? What the f…”
Arcades, or “game centers” as they’re called in Japan, also have regulations on awarding prizes of any kind. One exception are UFO catchers, and this is mainly because in these games, the entire point is to grab the item. However, they are strictly regulated as well, and the prizes they offer cannot exceed a wholesale price of 1,000 yen per item.
▼ That’s a good fact to know when considering a lucky bag claw game.
Another interesting example of pseudo-gambling in Japan are those high-end gacha machines where you pay 1,000 yen for a chance to get a Gucci bag or PS5. The reason these aren’t gambling is because they aren’t even classified as games. They’re technically vending machines from which straight purchases are made, and they will be treated as such as long as the customer never “loses” in the sense of getting an empty capsule or booby prize.
Long-time readers of our site might remember our writer Masanuki Sunakoma getting an endless array of junk from those machines, like gearbox keychains and talon necklaces.
However, the regulation states that the item in the capsule must have a “hypothetical” retail price of what the person paid. That “hypothetical” creates a considerable grey area since a shop could hypothetically sell a bag of chips for 10,000 yen.
▼ You could argue that a shop might conceivably sell the above necklace for 1,000 yen, which is what the machine charged, but selling this plastic dinosaur for that much is really pushing it.
This brings us back to the question of why pachinko parlors get such special treatment. The game in its current quasi-gambling form was largely used as a way for Zainichi Koreans living in Japan to earn a living right after World War II, being otherwise unable to get a job at companies. The yakuza also got involved at the time, either “supporting” or “exploiting” these businesses depending how you want to look at it.
Japan was in a massive state of upheaval at the time, so there was little oversight on these parlors. As things normalized, pachinko had grown into a major pastime, and as the police became more organized, they turned their attention to it. Rather than completely shutting them down, the police opted to drive out the yakuza and allow the remaining owners to continue running their parlors. The three-store system was one method to do this, and the police installed themselves as regulators for the entire industry, again “supporting” or “exploiting” these businesses depending how you want to look at it.
By the late ’80s and ’90s, pachinko had grown into a gigantic industry that was heavily tied into the national economy and employed hundreds of thousands of workers, essentially making it too big to fail. At this point, everyone seemed to just agree that it had gone beyond the point of no return and that the thin veil of the three-store system would have to do.
However, there are serious questions as to how much longer pachinko parlors will continue as they are. With the legalization of casinos in integrated resorts, those with the gambling bug may be more attracted to the glitz and glamor of such facilities, drawing even more revenue away. Parlors are already closing at an increasing pace and may eventually die a natural death before too long, but at least all those machines can go to good use at retirement homes.
Source: KHB, Itai News, Bengoshi.com, Note.com/piki, Pachinko Road, PiDEAX
Images: Pakutaso, SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/06/pachinko-parlor-operator-arrested-for-not-obscuring-the-act-of-gambling-well-enough/feed/ 0 749017 Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo https://soranews24.com/2026/11/04/mr-sato-searches-for-the-mysterious-new-wall-of-fortune-in-tokyo/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/04/mr-sato-searches-for-the-mysterious-new-wall-of-fortune-in-tokyo/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2026 01:00:52 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748865 
Our new favorite hole in the wall.
Every city has a few mystery spots here and there where something is created and left for others to discover, but the reason why is sometimes only known to the people who did it. Our reporter Mr. Sato discovered one such spot not too far from him in Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood, where there’s been some buzz on social media about a wall that gives you your fortune.
After some online research, Mr. Sato found the location of this wall of fortune called “Kabe Uranai” and set out to see it in person.
The wall is located in the Miyamasuzaka area of Shibuya, but it’s a little tucked away. According to Mr. Sato, you have to take the exit from Shibuya Station heading for Miyamasuzaka and walk up the slope. When you see an Excelsior Caffe on the corner, turn right. From there you’ll see a restaurant called Steak Rice no Mise that has “Japanese Steak Bowl” written on the sign in English.
I suppose we could give you a map, but there should be some element of adventure when seeking out a mysterious fortune-telling wall.
The wall is just to the right of the steakhouse, and it’s rather easy to miss. Although it is slightly different from its surrounding wall, it’s very unassuming, with what looks like an ordinary electrical box connected to it.
However, that box is actually the control panel for Kabe Uranai.
Inside is a terminal that you can use to purchase your fortune. It costs 999 yen (US$6.30), and the wall accepts credit card, QR code payment, and other digital payment services, but does not accept cash. Mr. Sato was able to use his Suica prepaid card here.
On the inside of the door were instructions explaining that if you pay the money and touch the wall, you’ll receive a pack of fortune cards with instructions to follow. As you can see, the wall of fortune has full English guidance so even people from other countries can enjoy it.
After paying the money, Mr. Sato placed his hand on the wall…
Suddenly, it made a rumbling sound and the stone began to move!
Underneath it was his treasure: a pack of fortune cards bathed in a golden beam of light.
It was all pretty exciting and made Mr. Sato feel like Indiana Jones for a moment. He took his cards and the stone slid back into place.
Inside each pack are nine cards. The first two are instructions, and the other seven are randomly selected. Mr. Sato won’t spoil the surprise, but they’re kind of a mix between fortune-telling and sending you to certain places in the area.
Regardless of where Mr. Sato’s cards took him, the whole experience was very fun, and he’d recommend it to anyone in the area. And for those not in the area, it appears that Kabe Uranai walls will be appearing elsewhere too. One is scheduled to open in Ikebukuro in November, Nagoya in December, and Osaka in 2027.
Who knows where one will appear after that? You’d need some kind of fortune-telling wall to figure that out.
Wall information
Kabe Uranai / 壁占い
Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Shibuya 1-12-24
東京都渋谷区渋谷１丁目１２−２４
Open 24 hours
Website
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/04/mr-sato-searches-for-the-mysterious-new-wall-of-fortune-in-tokyo/feed/ 0 748865 Shoplifting prevention guard arrested for shoplifting boot from store he was guarding https://soranews24.com/2026/11/02/shoplifting-prevention-guard-arrested-for-shoplifting-boot-from-store-he-was-guarding/ https://soranews24.com/2026/11/02/shoplifting-prevention-guard-arrested-for-shoplifting-boot-from-store-he-was-guarding/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2026 02:00:19 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748672 
Those boots weren’t made for walking away with.
In tough economic times, where even stores are switching to automated checkouts to save money, it’s no surprise that incidents of shoplifting have been steadily rising in Japan. To combat this, some retailers have employed what are known as “manbiki G-men,” plainclothes security guards whose role is to patrol stores and prevent sticky-fingered shoppers.
Although the name is a throwback to prohibition-era FBI agents in the USA, these guards have no government authority like the police. Instead, they keep an eye on shoppers, shadow anyone suspected of shoplifting until they leave the store without paying, and then make a citizen’s arrest.
But having manbiki G-men watch shoppers begs the question of who is watching the manbiki G-men. The answer to that question has revealed itself recently at a home improvement store in Hiroshima Prefecture on 27 October.
▼ The incident occurred at the Home Plaza Nafco in the picturesque town of Sera.
At about 11 a.m. on that morning, a plainclothes police officer spotted the plainclothes security guard taking a single rubber boot, concealing it in his clothing, and attempting to take it from the store without paying. It was later revealed that the man is actually employed by the same store as a manbiki G-man, but it is unclear if he was on duty at the time of the incident.
About a month prior to this, the store had contacted police about an uptick in shoplifting there, which put them on high alert. After being arrested on-site by the plainclothes police officer, the 66-year-old suspect admitted to the crime, saying he stole the single boot because he needed it.
Though with a tragically ironic twist, it was an open-and-shut case. Once again, a man’s desire for a single rubber boot corrupted him to the point of abusing the power entrusted to him by his employer.
“It’s always darkest right under the lighthouse.”
“I guess they need some manbiki G-men G-men.”
“Maybe he was just trying to get inside the head of his target.”
“Are they not even paying their G-men enough to get some rubber boots?”
“We’re not going to make it, are we? The country, I mean.”
“You either die a G-man or live long enough to become a shoplifter.”
“Fascinating! It’s like the end of a Poirot story.”
“I wonder if he just needed one boot or was planning to make two trips.”
Regardless of whether or not he really did need a second piece of footwear, we can be certain the home improvement store will be figuratively giving him the boot. Hopefully, he was just caught up in the thrill and excitement of stealing some Wellies, because that’s at least slightly less bleak than an employed person being unable to afford a pair on his own.
So, let that be a lesson to all you junior G-men out there. While bustin’ two-bit flimflammers, it can be right tempting to get yer mitts on some cabbage for yourself too, but the only easy street that lands you on leads straight to the hoosegow.
Source: TBS News Dig, Itai News
Photo ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/11/02/shoplifting-prevention-guard-arrested-for-shoplifting-boot-from-store-he-was-guarding/feed/ 0 748672 Can Japan’s Self-Defense Forces legally open fire on a zombie horde? https://soranews24.com/2026/10/31/can-japans-self-defense-forces-legally-open-fire-on-a-zombie-horde/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/31/can-japans-self-defense-forces-legally-open-fire-on-a-zombie-horde/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2026 07:00:52 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748795 
This legal discussion contains scenes of explicit violence and gore.
It’s Halloween again, and what better way to ring in the spookiest of holidays than with some thought exercises on complex constitutional law issues. Although most zombie stories focus on a ragtag group of civilians coping with civilization collapsing all around them, the beginning of the outbreak usually shows the military going all out in trying to eliminate the undead threat.
And with many of these movies and TV shows taking place in the USA, it’s no surprise to see the armed forces meeting the waves of zombies with guns blazing. In Japan, however, such a response is not so simple. While most countries’ militaries operate on a principle of “anything shy of a war crime is fair game,” Japan’s Self-Defense Forces operate in the opposite way and require very strict conditions before they can perform a certain action.
A good crash course in this can be found in our analysis on how the military can legally deal with a kaiju attack. Long story short, it is possible if Godzilla is classified as a “natural disaster” and the weapons used against him are classified as “tools” to neutralize the threat to Japan.
Zombies are much more complicated, however. Although certain aspects of the Godzilla scenario can be applied here, the fact that the threat is or was human introduces bigger legal hurdles for military and police forces. A video recently posted in the Legal Insight series by Tonari no Bengoshi Hosokyoku looks at this situation in-depth, but while their legal knowledge is spot-on, I’m concerned with some of their zombie awareness.
To start, much like with Godzilla, the SDF can be dispatched in a disaster relief capacity without issue. This means they can organize evacuations, set up barricades for shelters, and act in cases of self-defense to protect the public, just like police do. However, in this capacity, they cannot launch an assault on the zombies. One exception would be if the zombies were unleashed on Japan by a foreign government. This is the same reason that Godzilla cannot be considered an enemy combatant but King Ghidorah (sent by those jerks on Planet X) can.
So, let’s say our zombies are homegrown from some virus or mushrooms or something. Now, the question is whether they are people or not. According to Legal Insight, if they are classified as living people, then killing them can be considered murder, but even if they’re dead, filling them full of lead is also the crime of desecrating human remains.
However, Legal Insight also says that a zombie would be legally declared a corpse, and thus considered an “object” rather than a “person.” In this case, they could be treated in a way similar to wild animals that pose a threat to human life and be dealt with by the Self-Defense Forces using their guns as “tools,” much like with Godzilla. The desecration of a corpse charges would be outweighed by the need to protect lives, much like how scuttling an abandoned ship adrift in the ocean is deemed necessary despite the destruction of property involved.
But I think that’s where they got it wrong.
Despite all of our advances, humans are still not great at determining if something is alive or not. For legal purposes, however, Japan employs the “three signs of death” (shi no sanchoko) used by medical professionals: cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and loss of brainstem reflexes. If all three of these conditions are present at the same time and irreversible, then that person is deemed deceased.
Legal Insight says that zombies do exhibit the three signs of death, but I beg to differ. This is a problematic claim because there have been so many different zombie stories with zombies of wildly varying abilities, but even despite that, I don’t think any of them even exhibits one of the three signs of death, let alone all three.
Starting with cardiac arrest, zombies bleed when shot and clearly have muscle function, either of which would be impossible a beating heart.
▼ Your Honor, if it pleases the court, I’d like to submit this gnarly video of Claire doming a couple zombies in Resident Evil 2 Remake. As you can clearly see from the blood spurting from their neckholes, they demonstrate arterial pressure which can only be achieved by a functioning heart.
And while they may not require it to function, zombies clearly breathe. How else do they make those “gnnnhhhurghhhh” noises? And brainstem reflexes? Baby, zombies are all about brainstem reflex.
▼ I’d now like to call Dr. Edwin Jenner of the CDC in the USA to the stand. He’ll explain to us that zombies have functioning brainstems beyond a shadow of a doubt.
So, whether it’s the ambling Night of the Living Dead zombies or your parkour-running 28 Days Later zombies, they are legally living humans and, as such, it could be argued that zombies would have rights in Japan. This means a cop or soldier cannot open fire on a zombie simply because they gave them a dirty look or even if they start walking towards them menacingly. The violence used against them must be in direct proportion to their own unlawful attack… which I guess means all soldiers can do is bite the zombies back.
So, in conclusion, the JSDF would be prohibited from gunning down zombies wholesale, and Japanese police would be legally obliged to arrest you for assault if one falls off the hood of your car while you drive away in a panic. That being said, in most zombie outbreaks the government seems to go down pretty quickly, and all laws just go out the window anyway.
Happy Halloween!
Source: YouTube/となりの弁護士放送局, Livedoor News, My Game News Flash
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/31/can-japans-self-defense-forces-legally-open-fire-on-a-zombie-horde/feed/ 0 748795 Hello Kitty cuts ties with hit Japanese spy drama Vivant over torture scenes https://soranews24.com/2026/10/30/hello-kitty-cuts-ties-with-hit-japanese-spy-drama-vivant-over-torture-scenes/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/30/hello-kitty-cuts-ties-with-hit-japanese-spy-drama-vivant-over-torture-scenes/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2026 01:00:57 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748699 
Goodbye Kitty.
Vivant has emerged as a major hit on Japanese TV to a degree that only seems to come along every decade or so. It stars Masato Sakai, who also starred in Japan’s last gigantic TV hit Hanzawa Naoki, by the same director, with Sakai this time playing a businessman who gets embroiled in international intrigue.
The program has become so popular that it is frequently involved in tie-ups with other brands eager to ride the Vivant wave. And there is perhaps no company that loves collaborating more than Sanrio, which has teamed up with just about everything from Sesame Street and Clinique to Pringles and Godzilla.
Earlier this year, various goods such as plush toys and T-shirts featured six of Sanrio’s most popular characters dressed as the characters from Vivant. Nogitty was a mash-up of Hello Kitty and Sakai’s character Yusuke Nogi, while Hangyodon took on the role of Mamoru Nozaki, played by Hiroshi Abe in the show. There were also My Melody, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi as Kaoru Yuzuki, Drum, Nokoru, and Kurosu respectively.
＼明日まで／
G階段下ワゴンで開催中の
VIVANT POP-UP SHOPは7/16の18時まで！グッズをゲットして、
7/26(日)から始まるTBS系日曜劇場『#VIVANT』第2シーズンを観よう！#サンリオキャラクターズ#東京キャラクターストリート#キャラスト pic.twitter.com/lOJhVVmhI7
— 【公式】東京キャラクターストリート (@characterstreet) July 15, 2026
I’m using past tense there because as of 29 October, all of the Sanrio Vivant items have been taken off the market. On October 28, Sanrio’s Chinese arm, Sanrio Shanghai International Trading, announced, through its social media account, the cancellation of Sanrio’s collaboration with Vivant and that all future activities related to it would be cancelled as well. Sanrio Japan also posted a statement on October 29 announcing the cancelation of the collaboration, apologizing for any discomfort it may have caused and that the themes of the show were inconsistent with Sanrio’s corporate philosophy of “One world, connecting smiles.”
A few days earlier, Chinese state-run media had published a piece on Vivant, accusing it of slandering China and “exaggerating the China threat theory,” referring to the idea that China’s rapid growth poses a fundamental threat to global peace and stability. This all stems from scenes in Vivant that show a fictional organization affiliated with China brutally torturing members of the fictional Japanese covert group Beppan, hacking all of the fingers off one member’s hand.
Problematic Japanese-Chinese relations aside, reading that last sentence would make one wonder what Hello Kitty was doing with this show in the first place. Granted, Sanrio has been known to dabble in dark franchises in the past, but close association with torture and mutilation might not be good optics for the maker of Dokidoki Yummychums. It’s an opinion shared by many in online comments as well.
“It was an odd combination to begin with.”
“I always thought Sanrio avoided collaborating with themes involving things like the military or war. How did Vivant get the green light?”
“I guess this was a miscalculation on Sanrio’s part. Maybe they didn’t anticipate this kind of explicit and controversial content from Vivant.”
“It was cancelled before I could buy anything! I was planning to get something next month, too.”
“This is hardly surprising. I’m guessing Masato Sakai won’t be finding much work in China either.”
“Sanrio needs to put more thought into who they team up with.“
As for Vivant’s response to the criticism from China, the network that airs it, TBS, released a statement saying they will seriously consider questions that the show “harbors hostility towards certain countries” and features excessive violence. While they maintain that the torture scenes were necessary to the show’s story, they also say they will continue to carefully consider whether certain depictions will cause discomfort or excessive fear among viewers.
We’ll see how that goes, but hopefully Hello Kitty learned her lesson and will stick with more family-friendly fare like It… I’m guessing they didn’t read the book.
Source: Sponichi Annex, Hachima Kiko, Sanrio
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/30/hello-kitty-cuts-ties-with-hit-japanese-spy-drama-vivant-over-torture-scenes/feed/ 0 748699 Visiting the “world’s most precarious temple” in China, where getting there is half the battle https://soranews24.com/2026/10/27/visiting-the-worlds-most-precarious-temple-in-china-where-getting-there-is-half-the-battle/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/27/visiting-the-worlds-most-precarious-temple-in-china-where-getting-there-is-half-the-battle/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:30:04 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748294 
Xuankong Si is surprisingly both extremely out of the way and extremely crowded.
Our writer Seiji recently visited China, where he got a haircut on the side of the road and did some sightseeing. One of these sights was none other than Xuankong Si, or “The Hanging Temple” in English. Its name says it all really, in that it’s a temple clinging for dear life to the side of a sheer cliff.
This temple is located in the Jinxia Gorge at the foot of Mt. Heng, known as one of China’s five great mountains. Of course, getting to a mystical temple like this was never meant to be easy and required Seiji to take a high-speed train from Beijing to Datong South Station, then drive from there into the mountains for about an hour.
▼ Seiji with his new haircut modeled after World Cup sensation Erling Haaland
It was quite a haul, but Seiji was completely enamored with the Chinese countryside. The winding mountain roads reminded him perfectly of the area where Goku first met Bulma in Dragon Ball. There was a pulse of exotic adventure everywhere he looked.
Little did he know, however, that his true battle still lay ahead. The visitor center leading into the temple area was far less mystical than other parts of his journey.
The ticket counter opens at 7:30 a.m., and Seiji arrived at 8:40. However, he was told that the tickets had already sold out. As luck would have it, tickets are sold in two batches, with 600 in the morning and another 600 in the afternoon. This meant he’d have to wait until noon to try again.
By 10 a.m., a significant lineup was already forming, and Seiji watched with amazement as it just got bigger…
…and bigger…
…and bigger…
…and bigger with time. By noon, it looked exactly like the line to get into Comiket.
It’s actually possible to book tickets in advance, but only for Chinese residents. This meant Seiji had no choice but to wait in line, but as he listened to two old ladies shouting at each other, he wondered why all these other people didn’t just make reservations.
Luckily, this time he could get tickets. Two types are sold: a general admission to the area for 15 yuan (US$2.25) and access to the temple itself for 100 yuan ($15). Considering how much effort it took to get this far, there was no way he was going to skip entering The Hanging Temple.
From this point, a bus ride was required, but it only took eight minutes and cost 20 yuan. But after all that traveling and waiting, he was happy to see that it was all worth it for this spectacular scenery.
This temple was mentioned on Time Magazine’s Top 10 Precarious Buildings, and since it was the only temple on the list, Seiji figures it’s safe to call it the world’s most precarious temple.
In this case, the word “precarious” doesn’t suggest poor construction or actual hazards, but a certain tilt that gives the feeling of precariousness.
This place certainly had that feeling in spades. As he walked along narrow paths jutting out from sheer cliffs that seemed to tower over him, the ground spread out far, far below him.
Seiji was never especially afraid of heights, but here he occasionally felt a little woozy and had to brace himself against the wall.
This structure was around 1,500 years old, and as is often the case with older buildings, everything feels a little smaller than usual. The railings everywhere were only about waist-height, adding to a sense that he was walking through the air.
▼ No problem there.
It truly felt like a temple in the sky, giving our writer a sensation he often felt during dreams where he was flying but then suddenly forgot how to fly and plummeted back to Earth.
It was a one-of-a-kind experience and well-steeped in Chinese culture.
Seiji felt a sense of awe beyond most other places he’s been in his life, and would highly recommend a visit to anyone.
His only advice is to purchase the ticket to enter the temple, because it’d be a waste to travel all that way and not climb up to it. Also, make sure you arrive early because the lineup for tickets is no joke, and it’d be an even bigger waste to travel all that way and not even be able to get near Xuankong Si.
Temple information
The Hanging Temple / 懸空寺
Hanging Temple, Jinlong Gorge, Mount Heng, Hunyuan County, Datong, Shanxi Province, China
中国山西省大同市渾源県 恒山金龍峡西側翠屏峰
Ticket Sales Begin: 7:30 a.m. and Noon
Holidays: None
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/27/visiting-the-worlds-most-precarious-temple-in-china-where-getting-there-is-half-the-battle/feed/ 0 748294 Fishing information website for Susaki, Japan, hit by data leak, all 3 users affected https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/fishing-information-website-for-susaki-japan-hit-by-data-leak-all-3-users-affected/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/fishing-information-website-for-susaki-japan-hit-by-data-leak-all-3-users-affected/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:00:48 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748234 
Personal information for everyone posting to the site over the past year compromised.
For the past week, there has been an inordinate number of hacking and data leakage from all kinds of websites, from 6.6 million people’s names, emails, and, in some cases, driver’s license info taken from major car rental and parking service Times to the details of registered users on the Burger King app. With new leaks being reported literally every day, it’s getting to the point where you’d be in the minority to not have been affected somehow.
The latest data breach reported has come out of the city of Susaki in Kochi Prefecture. This coastal city with a population of about 20,000 people recently had their municipal fishing information website Tsuri-Baka City Susaki (Fishing-Crazy City Susaki) hacked. It appears that a company in Tokyo that manages the website’s servers was attacked and notified the fishing site on 16 October, causing them to shut down the site while an investigation is carried out.
▼ The entire Fishing-Crazy City Susaki website is down as of this writing.
As a result, everyone who used the site’s inquiry form from July 2025 to July 2026 may have had their names, email addresses, phone numbers, and details of their fishing inquiry compromised. According to the fishing bureau’s records, as many as three people may have been affected during this period. The details of the inquiries have not surfaced on the dark web but could range anywhere from how they’re bitin’ on a specific day to recommendations for a good restaurant that’ll clean and cook the day’s catch.
The current downtime is also a concern, with as many as one person potentially unable to request fishing information for the area from an official government source as opposed to other reviews on the Internet or just talking to people around town. Online comments expressed a difficulty in facing the full severity of this hack, with some resorting to humor as a defense mechanism.
“Wouldn’t it be easier just to apologize to those three people directly? Why tell all us?”
“Maybe all the victims can go on a fishing trip together.”
“This data breach is on a completely different level from anything we’ve seen before.”
“Honestly, it takes guts to come forward and admit this. I respect that.”
“I guess that’s a good thing, for some people at least.”
“It’s kind of scary that even places like that are getting hit.”
“I would like to apply for the job of the person handling their inquiries.”
I think the positive spin that can be put on all this is that it’s quite likely only a few people used the inquiry form of Fishing-Crazy City Susaki because it is such a comprehensive website and rich in detail that almost no one reading it would be left with any questions to ask. And by providing such stellar information, they managed to keep the fallout from this server attack to an absolute minimum.
It just goes to show that in these times of increasingly tenuous cyber-security, our first line of defense is quality fishing information.
Source: Kochi Shimbun Plus, Hachima Kiko
Image: Pakotasu, ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/fishing-information-website-for-susaki-japan-hit-by-data-leak-all-3-users-affected/feed/ 0 748234 10 of the nicest celebrities we’ve met in Japan over the years https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/10-of-the-nicest-celebrities-weve-met-in-japan-over-the-years/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/10-of-the-nicest-celebrities-weve-met-in-japan-over-the-years/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2026 03:00:50 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748073 
Who wowed our reporters the most with sheer friendliness?
Our website has been around for quite a while now, and over the years we’ve even had the opportunity to rub shoulders with famous movie stars and musicians from time to time. Considering we’re known for behavior that some may deem “gross” or “indecent,” it wouldn’t be too shocking if they treated us like the schlubs we admittedly are, but there have been a few who really seemed to shine as genuinely good people.
So, our Japanese language writers would now like to take a moment and give credit where credit’s due to the famous people from Japan, as well as famous people from abroad who visited Japan, who really made a positive impact on us.
When it comes to celebrity interviews, P.K. Sanjun is usually our frontline reporter. As such, he’s met the likes of Will Smith, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tom Holland, to name a few. But here are the people who made the biggest impression on him.
● Chris Pratt
I’ve interviewed a lot of Hollywood actors, and they’ve all been really nice. I sort of think you need to be in order to make it out there.
But among them, Chris Pratt stood out as a super nice person. When I finished my interview, I was just sitting there feeling awkward, but he took the initiative and said, “Hey! Let’s take a photo together!” It was a god-tier gesture and made me fall in love with the guy.
● Maximum the Ryo-kun
He’s a very private person. You could even say he’s mysterious, and very artistic too. But he’s also an absolute legend and totally down to earth when you talk to him. So much so that I found myself wondering, “Does a celebrity like this actually exist?”
The rest of the band [that he’s in, Maximum the Hormone], were great too. Nao-chan immediately snapped a picture after Ryo-kun shaved my eyebrows. Even though it’d been years since I last interviewed them, Daisuke-kun greeted me with a friendly “Long time no see!”
Of course, Ue-chan, who shyly chatted with me about kendama, was wonderful too. In short, Maximum the Hormone aren’t just great because of their music. They’re a class act as well.
If I ever get another chance to meet Ryo-kun, I want to ask him why he loves [’80s Japanese rock band] Lindberg so much.
Mr. Sato’s been known to do a few interviews in his days as well, including none other than Santa Claus. But what big names managed to out-nice even Ol’ Saint Nick for our star reporter?
● Cunning Takeyama
I’ve met the famous Japanese comedian Cunning Takeyama a few times now, and every time his genuine kindness shines through. His work often involves interacting with the general public in TV segments, so he seems to make a conscious effort to make people feel at ease. That gentle, approachable character he shows the moment he meets someone is something that I aspire to emulate as an adult.
● Shinichiro Azumi
I’ve been invited on his TBS radio show Nichiyo Tengoku a few times. Even though it’s a live broadcast, he went out of his way to look after me because of my lack of experience in this setting. He has a way of completely managing the flow of conversation but never lets it show by drawing stories out of me naturally. It’s the mark of a true professional and made a strong impression on me in the way I could relax and have a natural conversation with him.
You don’t often see Yoshio interviewing famous people, unless it involves a money-making scheme, but he’s often behind the camera at these meet-ups and has interacted with plenty of famous people as well. Here’s who made the biggest impact on him.
● Matt Damon
I was a photographer at an interview with him during the release of Jason Bourne. He might be a world-famous actor, but he didn’t act like it at all and answered every question from P.K. with sincerity. I’ve been present for a lot of celebrity interviews, but Matt Damon was the nicest of them all. It really took me aback how humble someone of his stature could be. He was just a very cool guy.
● Yumi Adachi
I was the photographer when Seiji interviewed her while pretending to be Yngwie Malmsteen. I always thought she had a very elegant fashion sense and way of life, so I was intimidated to meet her, but she turned out to be incredibly friendly and cheerful, exactly like she is on television. While we were standing around waiting, she noticed I had the latest iPhone at the time and said, ‘Wow, it’s got three lenses!” I still have and cherish that phone to this day.
▼ Yumi Adachi and Yngwie Malmsteen (Seiji Nakazawa)
The interviews where Seiji Nakazawa pretended to be Yngwie Malmsteen in an effort to join famous people’s musical projects were always dicey ones. They rarely ended up being actual interviews, and the famous people involved would have had every right to chew us out for making a mockery of the whole process. But it’s also a chance for celebrities to really show how easy-going they can be, as Ahironeko recalls.
● Non
This was our very first Yngwie project, and I was the photographer. The awkward tension in the air was so thick both for us and the people on her side. None of us really knew what was going on.
Considering that, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if she just snapped at us with, “Excuse me… What the hell are you doing?” But she was all smiles the whole time. A true goddess.
Takashi Furusawa is a newer addition to our staff and hasn’t been to as many interviews as the others. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had his own brushes with greatness.
● Miki Narahashi
Miki Narahashi is best known as the voice of Misae Nohara in the long-running hit Crayon Shinchan.
But for me, she was also my senpai when I was at voice acting school. I still clearly remember how she always looked out for me, giving me advice and kind encouragement when I had problems.
It was a true honor to have studied under her for two years, and I still cherish that experience to this day.
▼ Nararhashi has played the mother of Shin-chan for the entire run of the series.
As Takashi mentioned, not all of our celebrity encounters come from interviews. Many of our writers have also appeared on TV and radio over the years, where they’ve bumped into famous faces. Go Hatori has a few memories along those lines too.
● Kuroda
I met Kuroda, from the comedy duo Messenger, when we appeared together on a TV show in Osaka in 2014 and I was asked to talk as a spam email expert. I was so nervous that my legs were shaking uncontrollably, but he kept tossing out these perfectly timed, light-hearted jokes that completely eased my tension. He had a way of making everything I said funny and was just a truly kind and thoughtful person. I’m filled with both gratitude and admiration for him.
● First Summer Uika
I met First Summer Uika (a singer, actress, and media personality) while doing voice acting and on some TV sets. She was always very approachable and easy to talk to. It left a big impression on me! One time she even came all the way from her dressing room to where I was working to say hi. I’m such a big fan of hers now that I even have an acrylic standee of her on my desk. I even have a T-shirt with her on it that I’ve kept secret until now.
This certainly isn’t an exhaustive list, but 10 is a nice round number and lets the real cream of the crop rise to the top.
So, if you’re a mega-famous, internationally known movie star, musician, and/or athlete, please apply to have us interview you, and you may just be one of the lucky few to make a future nicest-ever list. Please submit your applications in an orderly fashion, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/10-of-the-nicest-celebrities-weve-met-in-japan-over-the-years/feed/ 0 748073 Mochido donuts make a squishy return to Lawson stores across Japan https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/mochido-donuts-make-a-squishy-return-to-lawson-stores-across-japan/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/mochido-donuts-make-a-squishy-return-to-lawson-stores-across-japan/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2026 16:00:52 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748166 
Mochido or Mochidon’t. There is no Mochitri.
Earlier this year, we stumbled upon a pair of donuts sold by convenience store chain Lawson that completely redefined the genre of convenience store donuts. They were called Mochibee (Mo-chee-bay), and came in powdered sugar and roasted soybean (kinako) flavors. Though they tasted delectably sweet, the whole experience was a bittersweet one because this was just a limited trial run, and Mochibee weren’t sold nationwide.
But our writer Natsuno Futon was delighted to hear that Lawson have finally gotten their act together and re-released these treats all over Japan, starting on 20 October. However, the name has changed to Mochido, perhaps because the “beh” part of the name led people to think they were bagels instead of the similarly shaped donuts.
Hoping only the name was different, she hurried to her nearest Lawson on the evening of the 20th, only to find they were already sold out.
Unsure if they were really that popular already or if her timing was just unlucky, she decided to give up for the night but was able to find them the next morning. The same flavors of sugar and kinako were there, and Futon picked up one of each. The price was just the same as before: 171 yen (US$1.10) each.
At a glance, they looked exactly the same as she remembered them, with their slightly irregular shape a testament to their chewy fluffiness and a gracious coating of sweet powders.
Futon decided to start with the plain sugar, and after cutting off a piece, it seemed to have that same layered texture as before. She reminisced about that delightfully crisp surface, enhanced with cracker flour and poppy seeds.
Unable to hold out any longer, she popped a piece into her mouth and was immediately transported back to that blissful afternoon snack last March. It was every bit as good as it was back then, possibly even better somehow.
Next, she tried out the kinako flavor. Obviously, the texture was just as good here, but what really knocked it out of the park for this one was the perfect balance of kinako that made its presence known but didn’t overpower the innate deliciousness of the donut itself.
Both donuts had incredible attention to detail and seemed more like the kind you’d buy from a bakery rather than a convenience store. Futon was overjoyed after thinking she’d lost these treats forever after the last time.
However, she also crunched the numbers, and the calorie intake from these two decadent donuts far outweighed the calories burned during her 30-minute walk to and from the store. This imbalance would not bode well for her waistline, but thus is the life of a donut lover.
Photos ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/26/mochido-donuts-make-a-squishy-return-to-lawson-stores-across-japan/feed/ 0 748166 Japan’s mission to Martian moon and back underway https://soranews24.com/2026/10/24/japans-mission-to-martian-moon-and-back-underway/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/24/japans-mission-to-martian-moon-and-back-underway/#comments Sat, 24 Oct 2026 13:00:45 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748263 
This mission is expected to be the first-ever Martian moon landing.
At 4:41 a.m. on 20 October, an H3 rocket took off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. It was carrying the MMX (Martian Moons eXploration), one of Japan’s largest-ever spacecraft, with a weight of 4,480 kilograms (9,877 pounds), and as of this writing, all systems are operating normally.
▼ And was there ever any doubt that there’s also a cute mascot version of MMX?
The MMX’s mission is to travel to Phobos, one of Mars’ moons, land there, pick up samples, and bring them back to Earth. It’s one of the most ambitious Mars missions to date, but Japan’s space agency JAXA has already made a name for itself by landing on asteroids and returning samples successfully on two previous endeavors.
Considering Phobos is up to ten times the size of those asteroids and locked into Mars’ orbit, this might seem like an easier mission. However, the key factor is overcoming the gravity of both Phobos and Mars. The MMX will have to make a soft landing on Phobos, then take off again in order to return to Earth. As a result, about 68 percent of the spacecraft’s total weight is just propellant.
It is hoped that by collecting material on Phobos, we can learn more about how it and Mars’ other moon, Deimos, were formed. The two leading theories are that they were once asteroids that got captured by Mars’ gravity or that they formed from the debris expelled by a massive collision of something with the red planet. In addition, it is said that about 0.1 percent of material on Phobos is actually Martian soil, having been ejected when meteorites struck the planet. The goal of the MMX is to pick up at least 10 grams of material from Phobos for an estimated 0.01 grams of actual Martian material.
▼ Here’s a simulation of how it should all go down in a nutshell.
Whether this will be the first sample from Mars transported by humans back to Earth remains to be seen, however. China is currently preparing to send its Tianwen-3 to Mars, where it will collect 500 grams of pure Martian soil and bring it back to Earth. Both projects are scheduled to return here in 2031, so if everything goes as planned for everyone, it’ll be a relative photo-finish to see which country will be the first to break off a piece of Mars and carry it back.
Going according to plan is a big “if” as well. The MMX was originally expected to launch in 2024, but development of the H3 was delayed and the very tight window when Earth and Mars are properly aligned once every two years closed. China will also need to make sure everything progresses like clockwork from now until their launch in 2028 to avoid their own two-year delay.
Regardless of whoever does get back first, these samples will help to blow open our understanding of the Martian environment, including the possibility that life once or even still exists there in some form. Then, maybe we can finally get back to checking out our neglected other neighbor Venus someday.
It’d be pretty funny if all this time there actually were a bunch of aliens living in those boiling sulphuric clouds, wondering why no one ever comes looking for them.
Source: Seizo Trend, JAXA, Tokyo Shimbun
Top image: JAXA
Insert image: JAXA
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/24/japans-mission-to-martian-moon-and-back-underway/feed/ 0 748263 Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto to receive Order of Culture from Japanese emperor https://soranews24.com/2026/10/24/super-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto-to-receive-order-of-culture-from-japanese-emperor/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/24/super-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto-to-receive-order-of-culture-from-japanese-emperor/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:00:25 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748245 
If anyone deserves an Order of Culture, it’s-a-him.
Every year, the Japanese holiday of Culture Day is observed on 3 November. This is also the day that the Emperor of Japan bestows the Order of Culture on selected citizens who made significant contributions to Japanese culture. These include researchers, leaders of industry, artists, doctors, and more.
And when it comes to people who made an impact on Japanese culture, I doubt there’s anyone who’d disagree that Shigeru Miyamoto belongs in that group. After creating one of the most influential games of its time, Donkey Kong, in 1983, he played a critical role in revitalizing the slumping global video game industry with Japan at its center through Super Mario Bros. in 1985, creating both a revolutionary style of game and iconic characters that would thrive for the next 40 years. And everything he’s done since then, such as contributions to classic franchises like Zelda, Mario Kart, Star Fox and Pikmin, is just a ton of thick, sweet icing on the cake.
In honor of this, Miyamoto will be presented the award by Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace alongside seven other recipients, including Kenso Soai, who also won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year, and Shunichi Tokura, the composer of Pink Lady’s smash hit “UFO” and the current chair of JASRAC.
In a press conference following the announcement, Miyamoto said, “I am truly happy to have found video games. As a creator, I have just as much fun developing games as the players do playing them. It is a joy to be able to keep doing this.”
He also had the following advice for younger game designers: “I often tell them it is better not to start with a game they’re already a big fan of and find entertaining and just try to tweak it to make it ‘more fun.’ Instead of refining something that already exists, it is much more rewarding to start at the core and ask yourself, ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if I tried this?’ Then focus your energy on building something from that idea.”
Miyamoto will also be the first person from the gaming industry to have received this honor. After the news broke, there was an outpouring of support and congratulations from people all over Japan in online comments.
“It’s long overdue, but wonderful news. Mario and Zelda are beloved not just in Japan but all over the world.”
“I make recipes but was happy to hear he feels the same joy in his work and always thinks ‘Wouldn’t this be interesting?’ like I do.”
“Even as the game market has grown to a huge scale, Mario and Zelda continue to rank among the top-sellers. He is a person who shaped countless lives all over the world.”
“His work influenced our youths, the way we spent time with our family, and some of our unforgettable memories.”
“Miyamoto never pandered to trends and always asked himself if his creations made people feel something.”
“When he started out, video games were seen negatively. Now, his characters have appeared at the Olympics!”
“I remember being completely hooked on Donkey Kong. I tried the famous shortcut trick over and over but could never do it!”
“Paul McCartney even asked for Miyamoto’s autograph when they met and greeted him by singing the Super Mario song.”
Speaking of Paul McCartney, it’d probably be fair to say that the next person from the game industry who should get an Order of Culture is none other than Koji Kondo, whose scores for Super Mario Bros. and Zelda were just as impactful and enduring as the games themselves.
Source: TBS News Dig, Yahoo! Japan News
Photo ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/10/24/super-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto-to-receive-order-of-culture-from-japanese-emperor/feed/ 0 748245 Tokusatsu hero “Moonlight Mask’s” pocket change donations help traffic accidents victims in Japan https://soranews24.com/2026/10/23/tokusatsu-hero-moonlight-masks-pocket-change-donations-help-traffic-accidents-victims-in-japan/ https://soranews24.com/2026/10/23/tokusatsu-hero-moonlight-masks-pocket-change-donations-help-traffic-accidents-victims-in-japan/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:00:29 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=748182 
Small change and a big heart.
A fun and really sweet aspect of Japanese culture is the trend of anonymous donations made in the name of masked people. Easily, the most iconic of these is Tiger Mask, a title taken by several people donating expensive randosel school bags to orphans and needy families and helping out in other ways. Based on a wrestling manga hero of the same name, these real-life heroes have also led to a variety of copycats and spin-offs. I think there was even a kind-hearted Jason Mask one time.
And every New Year’s Eve since 1974, on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, police have discovered a bag full of coins at one of their stations and outposts, along with a note that reads, “These are coins I collected, one by one every day. I’d be happy if it can help those suffering due to traffic accidents, even if just a little,” and is signed “Gekko Kamen,” meaning “Moonlight Mask” in English and also occasionally localized as “Moonbeam Man.”
Hardcore tokusatsu fans will likely know one or more of these names as the precursor to the entire genre of superhero kids TV shows. Originally airing in the ’50s, Moonlight Mask was the archetypal masked, motorcycle-riding crusader of justice.
Every year the police honor Moonlight Mask’s wishes and donate the coins to funds supporting those orphaned by traffic accidents. However, very recently, something truly unexpected happened.
On 19 October, in Niigata City on the mainland of the prefecture, a police officer approached his patrol car and found an envelope on the windshield. Inside were coins totaling 240 yen (US$1.53), and on the envelope a note said, “I’d be happy if it can help those suffering due to traffic accidents, even if just a little.”
On the same day, about 1.5 kilometers from the first incident, another envelope was found at a police box in the Shirone Chuo area of the city. This one contained 299 yen (US$1.99) in change and had a note with the very same legendary words of Moonlight Mask. In both cases, no witnesses spotted anyone leaving the envelopes. This would mark the first time in over 50 years that Moonlight Mask or someone else using the same moniker donated to victims of car accidents outside of Sado Island.
▼ News report showing the envelopes and coins
Deputy Chief Ryo Takahashi of the Niigata Minami Police Precinct said they will honor Moonlight Mask’s wishes and forward the 539 yen to children orphaned by traffic accidents. He added, “I am deeply moved by this person’s unending concern for the victims of car accidents. Because they are a hero, we are not investigating to uncover their true identity.”
We can probably all agree that a noble deed should be respected regardless of its magnitude. However, this particular magnitude wasn’t enough to cover a combo at McDonald’s, and some readers of the news online had trouble fully coming to terms with that.
“Oh… Well…”
“I thought the report just had a typo in the number.”
“It is the thought that counts, I guess…”
“It’s always been New Year’s Eve. So why now?”
“He does donate often. I looked it up, and this is his 53rd donation. Last time he gave 30,010 yen.”
“I guess the rising cost of living is even putting a strain on Moonlight Mask.”
“I wonder if this person is extremely poor themself.”
“I want to say the amount isn’t important, but at a certain point wouldn’t this be considered a form of harassment?”
“Only a horrible person would laugh at a gesture like this.”
“This person must be pretty old by now. That was probably a good amount of money in their day.”
“Their handwriting is very neat. They must be very meticulous.”
“539 was the license plate number of Moonlight Mask’s motorcycle! Do your homework before shooting off your mouths!!!”
That last comment would have been a cool detail, but a fun fact is that Moonlight Mask’s motorcycle had the license plate number Mu-8323 or 8328. Though it can be hard to see with from the angles the TV series’ scenes were filmed at, and with 1950s-quality cameras, some eagle-eyed fans were able to catch a peek of the superhero’s road-legal bike and at least narrow it down to those two.
It’s especially ironic because while within the series private detective Juro Iwai is heavily implied to be Moonlight Mask’s secret identity, this is never confirmed, and even the actor for Moonlight Mask is listed as “?” in the credits. But anyone even remotely inclined to find out who he is need only look at the back of his bike and run a check on it.
It just goes to show that the true spirit of Moonlight Mask is to help those in need and right the wrongs of society at all costs, even if your plan isn’t all that well thought out. Every little bit helps.
Source: UX News, My Game News Flash, Ameba/Samugai, Kaiju House
Image: Pakutaso
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