Tokyo International News Agency

The Metropolitan Police Department announced on March 9th the arrest of company employee Tomoyuki Koyama, 47, on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act by casting two ballots in early voting during the February House of Representatives election. It was further revealed that Koyama had actively encouraged illegal double voting on his social media, sparking widespread concerns over the integrity of the election. According to the police announcement, Koyama is suspected of casting a ballot at an early voting station in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on the morning of February 7th. Approximately 30 minutes later, he allegedly visited a different early voting station in the same ward (located within the Chiyoda Ward Office), submitted another declaration form, and cast a second vote. It is believed that Koyama was able to carry out the double voting by simply stating his name, date of birth, and address, as he was not required to present his voter registration card or any form of ...

On the 9th, VTuber group hololive production announced that its talent, Kogane Iniko, would be suspending activities after being diagnosed with adjustment disorder by a doctor. Fans have offered warm messages of support, prioritizing her health and wishing her a restful recovery. According to hololive production's official announcement, Kogane Iniko was diagnosed with adjustment disorder by a doctor last December. However, respecting her strong desire to "push through" until "hololive SUPER EXPO 2026" and "7th Fes," the announcement and activity suspension were made at this time. She provided a detailed explanation and conveyed a direct message to fans during her livestream on March 9th. Kogane Iniko debuted in November 2024 as a member of "FLOW GLOW," a music artist VTuber group under hololive DEV_IS. Affectionately known as "Nico-tan," she was a passionate character dedicated to making people smile, often taking on a comedic role....

The Tokyo stock market on the 9th saw a dramatic plunge, with the Nikkei 225 average falling by over 4,200 yen at one point, closing down more than 4,000 yen. This marks the second-largest intraday decline on record, surpassed only by the "BOJ Shock" of 2024. The primary cause of this sharp decline is attributed to escalating tensions in the Middle East and the subsequent surge in crude oil prices. In the New York oil market, WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil surpassed $110 a barrel, intensifying concerns about stable oil supplies and spreading uncertainty across the global economy. This impact was not limited to the Tokyo market, as major stock markets across Asia also experienced sharp declines. Amidst the market turmoil, the combination of record-low yen depreciation and this historic stock market fall has fueled growing anxiety about the future of the Japanese economy. On social media, numerous expressions of alarm were seen, such as "Is Japan okay?" and ...

Former Minister of the Environment, Yoshiaki Harada, has admitted to having lobbied the government on behalf of the Unification Church (officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) to change its name. His statement, "They were extremely helpful during elections. It's natural for a politician to respond to a request," has caused a significant public uproar. According to an Asahi Shimbun report, Harada testified that when the Unification Church applied for a name change, he demanded that a senior official of the Agency for Cultural Affairs approve the alteration. As his reasoning, he explained that the organization had provided "immense support" during his election campaigns, including making phone calls and distributing flyers. He elaborated, "I wanted to do something for them. If I receive a request from an organization that has helped me, it's only natural for a politician to fulfill it." The context The Unification C...

Popular game streamer Kiyo. has suddenly announced an original game titled with his signature catchphrase, "It's All Me, Isn't It?", generating significant buzz across the internet. This new game, described as "too much of a prank," immediately trended on X (formerly Twitter) after its release, drawing a flood of praise such as "god-tier game," "insanely high quality," and "ab-breakingly funny." The recently released video generously incorporates various memes and inside jokes cultivated over Kiyo.'s 16 years of activity, making it a truly "It's All Me, Isn't It?" experience that resonates with fans. A particular highlight drawing immense laughter from viewers is the recreation of the "Ecstatic Cat Dance," a scene that garnered significant attention in a past video. Its unexpectedly high quality and meticulous attention to detail have left many users in stitches. It has also been revealed that the...

One of the moments that ignites the most fervent excitement among fans during a Japan national baseball team, "Samurai Japan," game – "Ohtani with the bases loaded" – was unexpectedly shattered by a base-running blunder, sending social media into an uproar. On this day, the highly anticipated "Imperial Attendance Game" presented a crucial situation. With two outs and the bases loaded, an ideal scoring opportunity, just as "Ohtani with the bases loaded" was about to step up to the plate, second baseman Shugo Maki was unexpectedly picked off. Fans' anger and questions erupted on social media, with comments like, "Why such a big lead in that situation?" and "It makes no sense to lead off when Ohtani has the bases loaded!" A review was conducted via challenge, but the call was upheld, and the prime scoring chance was abruptly squashed. Regarding this painful bonehead play, criticism flooded social media: "If we lose, Maki...

The phrase "All Events Concluded" (全日程終了) soared to a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), triggering a flood of posts reporting the end of various events and activities. From idol performances to large-scale exhibitions and even international sports tournaments, many users expressed feelings of accomplishment, relief, and anticipation for what comes next. Particular attention was drawn to the announcement of the completion of idol group NMB48's "Seishun no Deadline" event. Members like Kotone Takahashi and fans reminisced about their interactions at individual photo sessions, with comments such as "I was so happy to take wonderful photos" and "It went by in a flash." Many also vowed to reunite for future releases. Additionally, "hololive SUPER EXPO 2026" and "hololive 7th fes. Ridin' on Dreams," organized by virtual YouTuber agency hololive Production, also concluded their full schedules. Official accounts conveyed...