SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
scams
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
- Casey Baseel
Apr 18, 2026 - Tweet
Luckily there’s an easy way to tell if you’re dealing with a legitimate law enforcement officer or a con artist.
- Japan
- (aoi kippu • bicycles • bicycling • bikes • blue ticket • COK • crime • cycline • fraud • fraudsters • scam artists • scammers • scams • society • transportation)
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
- Casey Baseel
Mar 23, 2026
![Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/ps-1-1.jpg?w=640 "Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]")
Fake police officer targets possibly the worst person, phone transcript isn’t so great either.
- Japan
- (cracy • crime • fraud • fraudsters • funny.Japanese language • learning japanese • linguistics • scam artists • scammers • scams • weird)
Japan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times
- Casey Baseel
Feb 10, 2026
Tokyo man arrested for stealing smartphone, turning it in to police to claim reward money.
- Japan
- (crime • fraud • fraudsters • lost property • Lost Property Act • scam artists • scams • theft)
Ramen shop manager arrested for punching self in the face and pretending he was robbed
- Master Blaster
Feb 6, 2026
He should have punched harder and knocked some sense into himself.
- Japan
- (crazy • crime • fraud • obstruction of business • ramen • robbery • Saitama • scam artists • scams • weird)
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
- Master Blaster
Dec 13, 2025
But now he knows, and knowing is half the battle.
- Japan
- (banks • COK • crazy • crime • Otsu • scammers • scams • serial numbers • Shiga • special fraud • tokushu sagi)
Japan Railway-affiliated Tokyo shopping centers issue warning over point card scam
- Casey Baseel
Jul 5, 2025
Atre Cards are still good, but their QR codes might take you someplace bad.
- Japan
- (Atre • crime • East Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway Company • JR • JR East • point cards • QR codes • scam artists • scammers • scams • trains • travel)
Pokémon Center Online tells all customers to change their passwords after fraudulent log-ins
- Casey Baseel
Jul 5, 2025
Gotta change ‘em all.
- Internet, Japan
- (anime • crime • fraud • fraudsters • manga • Pokemon • Pokemon Center • Pokémon Center Online • scams • scm artists • video games)
Foreign-born convenience store manager in Japan saves elderly customer from being scammed
- Casey Baseel
May 30, 2025
Senior regular customer’s shopping trip was very different, and much more expensive, than his usual ones.
- Japan
- (COK • convenience stores • crime • foreigners in Japan • fraud • fraudsters • Lawson • scammers • scams)
Thinking she was giving money to Mick Jagger to invest for her, woman conned in Aomori
- Master Blaster
Mar 20, 2025
No sympathy for this devil.
- Internet, Japan
- (Aomori • crazy • crime • fraud • Mick Jagger • music • Rolling Stones • scams • weird)
Japan is changing its yen bills soon, so beware of scam artists, government warns
- Casey Baseel
May 24, 2024
New bills go into circulation this summer.
Nagoya elementary students caught defrauding classmate for nearly 1 million yen
- Master Blaster
Mar 7, 2024
Money spent on souvenir tokens and Canadian currency.
- Japan
- (COK • crime • elementary school • fraud • Nagoya • scam artists • scammers • scams • students • youth)
Fake monks scam foreign tourists out of their cash in Tokyo
- SoraNews24
Oct 3, 2023
A reminder to be careful while sightseeing at famous tourist spots in Japan.
- Japan
- (fake monk • monks • news • scam • scam artists • scammer • scammers • scams • sightseeing • temples • Tokyo • tourism • tourist sites • tourist spots • travel • Ueno • Ueno Toshogu Shrine)
Japan considering restricting senior citizens’ access to ATMs
- Master Blaster
Jul 29, 2023
National Police Agency believe it’s for their own good.
- Japan
- (ATMs • banking • COK • crime • fraud • money • ore ore sagi • scammers • scams • scoeity • senior citizens • seniors • yokinfusa)
We trick an online scammer into teaching us how to cook the best fried rice we’ve ever made
- Casey Baseel
Apr 3, 2023
A shady start leads to shining glory in the SoraKitchen.
- Japan
- (COK • cooking • crazy • food • fried rice • funny • Go Hatori • Go versus scammers • recipe • scammers • scams • SNJO • SoraKitchen • weird)
Japanese makers of Tropicana fined 19 million yen for “100% Melon” juice with only 2% melon juice
- Master Blaster
Jan 20, 2023
Accountability never tasted so sweet.
- Japan
- (COK • crime • drinks • fruit • Kirin Beverage • melon juice • melons • scams • Tropicana • weird)
Nintendo issues warning about scam sites pretending to be the company’s official homepage
- Casey Baseel
Jan 14, 2022
Sites offer deep discounts on Switch, but could be taking something else in return.
- Internet, Japan
- (COK • fraud • fraudsters • nintendo • scam artists • scams • video games)
How a bar in Kabukicho scammed one diner out of their money, and how it can happen to you too
- Oona McGee
Dec 16, 2021
Receipt shows the sneaky extra charges you need to watch out for.
- Japan
- (bars • drinking • drinks • food • izakaya • Kabukicho • restaurants • scams • shinjuku • Tokyo • tourism • travel)
Hey, online knockoff seller, is this a Puma tracksuit, or something else?【Photos】
- Casey Baseel
Oct 28, 2021
We ask, and sort of get answers to, the questions this “super cool” tracksuit begs.
- Internet, Japan
- (counterfeit • crazy • fashion • funny • Go Hatori • Go vs. scammers • knockoffs • online scams • Puma • scammers • scams • SNJO • weird)
The time we (almost certainly) got scammed by a dating app in Tokyo’s bar district
- Casey Baseel
Aug 5, 2021
“Hey, let’s play a game,” she said, but maybe it was our reporter who got played.
- Japan
- (bars • COK • crazy • dating • dating apps • Kabukicho • romance • scammers • scams • SNJO • weird)
Woman says she’s a foreign student struggling in the pandemic, asks us to buy her homemade chocolate
- Casey Baseel
Jun 17, 2021
Sweets we bought on the street turn out to be suspiciously delicious.
- Japan
- (chocolate • COK • foreigners in Japan • scam artists • scams • SNJO • society • weird • Yuichiro Wasai)
-
Recent Posts
- Does Tokyo need self-driving taxis? Waymo thinks so, plans to launch fleet soon
- Snow Salt Soft Cream Cafe & Bar for grown-ups opens in Tokyo’s Ueno area with a bookish surprise
- New Ranma 1/2 anime tableware and lifestyle goods are appropriately multi-faceted [Photos]
- Tokyo to repaint streets over rule that makes it impossible for cars to pass bicycles
- Japan’s new Pokémon Poké Ball hotel releases new details, and it’s giving away free stays [Video]
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
Tokyo to repaint streets over rule that makes it impossible for cars to pass bicycles
Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
Snow Salt Soft Cream Cafe & Bar for grown-ups opens in Tokyo’s Ueno area with a bookish surprise
Japan’s new Pokémon Poké Ball hotel releases new details, and it’s giving away free stays [Video]
Does Tokyo need self-driving taxis? Waymo thinks so, plans to launch fleet soon
New Ranma 1/2 anime tableware and lifestyle goods are appropriately multi-faceted [Photos]
Are Japanese temples on Mt Koya cashing in on the foreign tourism boom?
Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
Weekly
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
Mt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan- Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
- Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
Monthly
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
-
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Does Tokyo need self-driving taxis? Waymo thinks so, plans to launch fleet soon
New Ranma 1/2 anime tableware and lifestyle goods are appropriately multi-faceted [Photos]
Are Japanese temples on Mt Koya cashing in on the foreign tourism boom?
Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
Japan’s new delicious dark horse sweet potato dessert drink is waiting at a beef bowl chain
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Starbucks and clothing brand Beams team up for launch of second collaborative core collection
The confusing enjoyment of our day-trip bus tour from downtown Tokyo to Yamanashi [Photos]
7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
7-Eleven Japan releases a Kebab Sandwich… but does it really taste like a street-stall kebab?
Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
Does washing rice in this Japanese pouch really make it more delicious?
-
-
Categories
Categories Select Category Africa (33) Anime & Manga (193) Art (64) Australia (42) C America (9) C Asia (17) Canada (59) Cats (72) China (845) Culture (180) Cute (187) Entertainment (248) Europe (344) FN24 (1) Food & Drink (314) Games & Tech (167) Global (1,071) India (11) Internet (2,197) Italy (13) Japan (34,324) Korea (375) Lifestyle (76) Mexico (6) Music (12) N Asia (4) New Zealand (11) News (61) North Korea (72) Oceania (10) Russia (56) S America (33) S Asia (66) SE Asia (378) Space (2) Taiwan (203) UK (16) Uncategorized (19) USA (972) W Asia (25)
-
Archives
Archives Select Month September 2026 (91) August 2026 (174) July 2026 (197) June 2026 (174) May 2026 (138) April 2026 (142) March 2026 (150) February 2026 (124) January 2026 (138) December 2025 (136) November 2025 (136) October 2025 (151) September 2025 (154) August 2025 (143) July 2025 (158) June 2025 (165) May 2025 (162) April 2025 (181) March 2025 (157) February 2025 (127) January 2025 (139) December 2024 (148) November 2024 (149) October 2024 (153) September 2024 (154) August 2024 (158) July 2024 (156) June 2024 (150) May 2024 (166) April 2024 (150) March 2024 (157) February 2024 (169) January 2024 (159) December 2023 (165) November 2023 (166) October 2023 (166) September 2023 (173) August 2023 (183) July 2023 (171) June 2023 (180) May 2023 (158) April 2023 (152) March 2023 (167) February 2023 (160) January 2023 (171) December 2022 (175) November 2022 (176) October 2022 (179) September 2022 (191) August 2022 (202) July 2022 (193) June 2022 (178) May 2022 (178) April 2022 (181) March 2022 (212) February 2022 (199) January 2022 (224) December 2021 (230) November 2021 (214) October 2021 (215) September 2021 (238) August 2021 (225) July 2021 (207) June 2021 (218) May 2021 (209) April 2021 (206) March 2021 (225) February 2021 (209) January 2021 (224) December 2020 (225) November 2020 (224) October 2020 (231) September 2020 (238) August 2020 (227) July 2020 (220) June 2020 (209) May 2020 (215) April 2020 (238) March 2020 (235) February 2020 (222) January 2020 (233) December 2019 (187) November 2019 (214) October 2019 (237) September 2019 (195) August 2019 (205) July 2019 (183) June 2019 (201) May 2019 (231) April 2019 (192) March 2019 (242) February 2019 (211) January 2019 (238) December 2018 (212) November 2018 (217) October 2018 (214) September 2018 (203) August 2018 (217) July 2018 (218) June 2018 (208) May 2018 (204) April 2018 (193) March 2018 (216) February 2018 (192) January 2018 (223) December 2017 (204) November 2017 (209) October 2017 (218) September 2017 (209) August 2017 (228) July 2017 (222) June 2017 (245) May 2017 (229) April 2017 (197) March 2017 (165) February 2017 (151) January 2017 (180) December 2016 (260) November 2016 (267) October 2016 (302) September 2016 (387) August 2016 (351) July 2016 (379) June 2016 (379) May 2016 (312) April 2016 (347) March 2016 (414) February 2016 (379) January 2016 (359) December 2015 (359) November 2015 (378) October 2015 (435) September 2015 (419) August 2015 (152) July 2015 (218) June 2015 (179) May 2015 (237) April 2015 (223) March 2015 (119) February 2015 (121) January 2015 (395) December 2014 (376) November 2014 (376) October 2014 (414) September 2014 (349) August 2014 (379) July 2014 (316) June 2014 (375) May 2014 (384) April 2014 (354) March 2014 (318) February 2014 (284) January 2014 (270) December 2013 (224) November 2013 (242) October 2013 (244) September 2013 (226) August 2013 (241) July 2013 (214) June 2013 (222) May 2013 (191) April 2013 (173) March 2013 (149) February 2013 (85) January 2013 (106) December 2012 (111) November 2012 (149) October 2012 (151) September 2012 (118) August 2012 (99) July 2012 (56) June 2012 (57) May 2012 (54) April 2012 (62) March 2012 (40) February 2012 (27) January 2012 (24) December 2011 (18) November 2011 (12) October 2011 (1) September 2011 (9) August 2011 (11) March 2011 (1)
-
- About Us | Jobs | Contact | Contribution | Partner with Us
© SoraNews24 —Japan News— / SOCIO CORPORATION
- Advertise |
- About Us |
- Work with us |
- Contact |
- Contribution |
