Tokyo International News Agency

A 33-year-old Chinese national residing in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, has been arrested for allegedly defaming an acquaintance by exposing his real name on social media. It has since come to light that the suspect had previously made a series of extreme statements on SNS, including claims that "the Rising Sun Flag is a criminal flag" and that "Yasukuni Shrine should be closed," sparking widespread outrage across the internet. According to police reports, the suspect, a self-proclaimed company executive, is accused of damaging the reputation of a male acquaintance by posting false information on social media. The posts allegedly portrayed the victim as a perpetrator of crimes such as a "hit-and-run" and "making threats," making the information accessible to an unspecified large number of people. During questioning, the suspect denied the allegations, stating, "There is nothing in the posts that is contrary to the facts." Following the n...

A viral social media post regarding pets being "given away without permission" by a relative has sparked significant controversy. The incident came to light when an owner, who had entrusted two pet ferrets to their younger sister during an overseas work assignment, shared their story. According to the poster, the sister had spent the year-long assignment sending periodic photos and videos of the ferrets appearing healthy, leading the owner to believe there were no issues. However, upon returning to Japan, the owner discovered the shocking truth: the sister had found new owners through a rehoming website and given the ferrets away. It is reported that the sister had been using old footage, sending it in small increments to maintain the illusion that the ferrets were still in her care. The situation has drawn a wave of horror and sympathy on social media, with users commenting on the "terrifying betrayal by a family member" and the "unfathomable persistence"...

On May 13, 2026, at Yokohama Stadium, Shunya Shimada, the second-round draft pick for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, achieved a historic milestone during a game against the Chunichi Dragons. In the fifth inning, Shimada accomplished an "Immaculate Inning"—striking out three consecutive batters on just nine pitches. This incredible feat led his team to a 5-0 shutout victory and secured his first career win as a professional. The rookie’s dominant performance peaked in the fifth, where he faced three Chunichi batters, including star slugger Seiya Hosokawa, and dismantled them with flawless precision. Social media exploded with praise, with fans calling his pitching "artistic" and hailing him as a "phenomenal new talent." While this was the 23rd Immaculate Inning in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) history, Shimada is only the second rookie to achieve it, following Takao Kajimoto (Hankyu) in 1954. He also became the first rookie in the history of the Central L...

On May 13, 2026, during the eighth matchup of the season between the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at ZOZO Marine Stadium, Fighters catcher Yuya Shinto launched his highly anticipated first professional home run. The team secured a convincing 6-2 victory, extending their winning streak to four games and returning to a .500 winning percentage. Shinto’s milestone blast came in the top of the ninth inning with the Fighters holding a two-run lead. Stepping up to the plate with one out and a runner on first, he connected perfectly with a pitch, driving it into the left-field stands for a two-run homer. The insurance runs effectively sealed the victory. After rounding the bases and returning to the dugout, Shinto was met with enthusiastic celebrations from his teammates, responding with a triumphant smile. It was a standout day for Shinto, who also recorded his first hit of the season earlier in the game with a double down the right-field line. His contributions ex...

On May 13, 2026, at Yokohama Stadium, rookie pitcher Shunya Shimada of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars delivered a masterclass performance to secure his first professional victory. Shimada led his team to a shutout win, pitching six dominant innings without allowing a single run. The highlight of the night—and the moment that set the stadium ablaze—was Shimada’s achievement of an "immaculate inning." By striking out three consecutive batters on exactly nine pitches in a single inning, he etched his name into the record books as the first rookie pitcher in Central League history to accomplish this rare feat. Fans have been quick to praise his explosive emotion on the mound and his powerful pitching style, with many calling him a "future ace candidate" and declaring that "the future is bright" for the franchise. However, it wasn’t just his performance that captured hearts; the "personality gap" he displayed during the post-game hero interview has become...

It was revealed on the 13th that certain products of "Millet Biscuit," a snack widely beloved across Japan as the "soul food" of Kochi Prefecture, have been forced into a production halt due to a severe naphtha shortage. The primary cause is the difficulty in procuring packaging materials, a development that has left fans in dismay. According to information from the manufacturer, Nomura Senmame Kakoten (Kochi City), the current suspension of production and orders targets high-volume and portion-controlled products that require significant packaging material, such as the "Millet Super Big Pack" and the "4-Pack Linked Millet Biscuits." The situation is expected to worsen, with production of additional small-sized packs scheduled to stop on June 1st. In a strange turn of events, while the biscuits themselves can still be manufactured, the plastic bags to hold them simply cannot be secured. Following the news, social media was flooded with mourning c...

Voice actresses Yuko Natsuyoshi and Saori Hayami are set to return to the popular YouTube channel "THE FIRST TAKE," which captures artists' raw performances in a single, unedited shot. For the channel's 666th episode, the duo will perform "World is Mine CPK! Remix"—an insert song from the anime *Chou Kaguya-hime!*—featuring a special arrangement unique to this appearance. This marks their second visit to the channel following their performance of "ray Chou Kaguya-hime! Version," which garnered over 3.7 million views and widespread acclaim for their exceptional vocal range and emotional delivery. Due to the massive success of their previous video, fans have been eagerly awaiting this follow-up, which features a remix of the fan-favorite "World is Mine." Social media platforms are already flooded with anticipation, with users calling the collaboration a "legendary pairing" and expressing their excitement for the 10:00 PM premiere....