GSDF staffer accused of molesting school girl
By Tokyo Reporter Staff on January 16, 2021
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 35-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force member over the alleged molestation of an elementary school girl earlier this month, reports the
Sankei Shimbun (Jan. 15).
At around 2:00 p.m. on January 11, Takuya Kubo, a major in the Ground Research and Development Command, allegedly abducted the girl, a fifth-year student, from an event in Chiyoda Ward.
Kubo then took the girl into a room of a building in neighboring Chuo Ward and fondled her body.
The girl, who had participated in the event, was unharmed in the incident, the Chuo Police Station said.
Like a disaster : 4 dead, 33 injured amid efforts to clear snow in central Japan pref.
January 12, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
A snowplow is seen removing snow that accumulated in the city of Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, on Jan. 10, 2021. (Mainichi/Makoto Ishizuka) NIIGATA While record snowfalls apparently passed their peak on Jan. 11 in parts of this central Japan prefecture, the removal of snow continues to fall behind in places including the city of Joetsu, where over 2 meters accumulated. There has been a spate of accidents while clearing snow four people died between the evenings of Jan. 10 to 11, and at least 33 people were injured on Jan. 11. All four died while removing snow on their own.
Seniors at especially high risk as COVID-19 deaths surge in Osaka: Mainichi analysis
January 13, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
Osaka Gov. speaks at a meeting of Osaka Prefecture s coronavirus countermeasures headquarters committee in the city of Osaka s Chuo Ward, on Jan. 12, 2021. (Mainichi/Ryuichi Mochizuki) OSAKA A Mainichi Shimbun analysis of spiking COVID-19 deaths in Osaka Prefecture has revealed extremely high mortality risks to people aged 60-plus in the western Japan prefecture. The Mainichi examined data related to the deaths, alongside the prefecture s own analysis and other information sources. Osaka Prefecture s total COVID-19 deaths reached 690 on Jan. 12, near parity with metropolitan Tokyo s 691, though the Japanese capital s population is about 1.6 times larger. Monthly fatalities also jumped from 78 in November to 259 in December roughly 1.9 times the 138 recorded for Tokyo.
January 12, 2021
Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke appears on the screen through AR technology.
Shochiku Co.
Kabuki is going digital! Shochiku Co., a company that puts on kabuki performances, aims to gain more fans through the launch of a smartphone app that utilizes augmented reality (AR) technology.
The company also plans to focus more on distributing recordings of kabuki performances to boost the art form’s profile and attract new fans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The free app “INTO by Shochiku” is scheduled to launch Friday. A lion spirit, portrayed by kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke, is seen on smartphone screens through AR, making it seem as though he has appeared before the user.