Police lay charges against go-kart company

This week’s news roundup focuses on crime. A Tokyo go-kart company has been accused of renting out go-karts to undocumented foreign tourists. A series of robberies in the Kanto region are believed to be related to a dark part-time group. Comedian Shinji Saito has been referred to prosecutors for sexually assaulting a woman and having non-consensual intercourse with her. Hakamada Iwao was eventually formally acquitted. Also this week, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolved parliament and Japan’s men’s soccer team won its latest World Cup qualifier.

Go-kart company allows foreign tourists to drive without international driver’s license

According to reports, the Tokyo Police Department has filed charges against a go-kart company for allegedly violating the Road Traffic Act by renting go-karts to undocumented foreign tourists and allowing them to drive on public roads. Go-karts are classified as “ordinary cars” under the Road Traffic Act and therefore require a driving license. It is believed that the rental company did not thoroughly inform foreign tourists about the regulations regarding international driving licenses.

It is understood that the owner of the company is a man in his 40s. He allegedly rented a go-kart to each of two foreign tourists, neither of whom had an international driver’s license valid in Japan. The pair, who are not members of the Geneva Convention, were driving on a public road in April. One of the two men caused property damage and was later arrested by police.

Young Iwao Hakamada courtesy of Kyodo News

Prosecutors will not appeal Hakamada’s release

Iwao like thisThe 88-year-old was formally acquitted on Wednesday after prosecutors waived his right to appeal. Naomi he has a carJapan’s prosecutor general said the decision not to appeal was because like this has been “in legal limbo for a long time.” She added: “After careful consideration, we have decided that it is not appropriate to prolong this situation any longer.” Hakamada’s Sister Hideko said: “I’m glad it’s over and the trial is truly over.”

like this In 1968, he was sentenced to death for murdering a family of four in Shizuoka Prefecture. In 2014, the Shizuoka District Court granted him a retrial and called for his immediate release because there were reasons to believe the evidence against him had been fabricated. last month, like this Found not guilty. This is the fifth time in postwar Japan that a death row inmate has been acquitted in a retrial.

A series of robberies in the greater Tokyo area are linked to the dark part-time job organization

On Tuesday, the national police held a meeting with senior police officers from Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama to try to find out whether there were links between seven separate robberies in the Kanto region over the past month. Houses and shops were targeted by violent attacks by small groups. The perpetrators broke in and threatened those inside before escaping with money and goods.

Police suspect the robbers may have been recruited into the so-called ” Asian whiteheads (Dark Part Time Job). They attacked and robbed an elderly couple in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, and attacked a woman in her 60s in Kokubunji City, Tokyo. National Police Agency Criminal Bureau Chief Shigeyuki Tani spoke of the seriousness of the situation, noting that recent criminal incidents have “seriously affected the public’s sense of security.”

Shinji Saito: Japan’s latest celebrity sexual assault case

Shinji Saito was handed over to prosecutors on Monday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman and having non-consensual sex with her on a bus at the filming location, investigative sources said on Monday. Saito, 41, is a member of the popular comedy trio Jungle Pocket, explain“This was reckless behavior and caused problems for both the other party and my own family.” However, he claimed it was consensual.

On her Instagram page, Saito’s wife Saori Seto, defended her husband and said “Some reports are not true” and “this is not a unilateral act.” victimalthough, she said‘two Never forgive the comedian for what he did. Saito fired his agency, Yoshimoto IndustrialWHO supply it is “My deepest apologies to the victims and everyone involved. “SeptemberAccording to reports, Saito Pause required due to health issues.

Prime Minister Ishiba dissolves House of Representatives in preparation for October 27 elections

Japan’s House of Representatives was dissolved on Wednesday in preparation for the general election scheduled for October 27. The campaign starts next Tuesday. This is expected to be a straight victory for the LDP, which remains well ahead in opinion polls despite the recent bribery scandal. The dissolution of the House of Representatives came more than a week after Shigeru Ishiba was sworn in as prime minister.

“I have decided to dissolve the House of Representatives and seek direct public judgment because it is vital that we continue to run the government to protect Japan and its people,” Ishiba said during a one-on-one parliamentary debate with opposition leaders on Wednesday. Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Fumihiko Noda said Ishiba dissolved the House of Representatives to “ensure victory in the honeymoon period” when public support for the new leader The rate will initially increase.

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu | Picture from FEELPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Japan beats Saudi Arabia in latest World Cup qualifier

In men’s football, Japan defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the latest 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Daichi Kamada and Koki Ogawa scored for Hajime Moriho’s side in Jeddah on Thursday. They currently have nine points from three games, scoring 14 goals and conceding none. Next up is Australia in Saitama on Tuesday. The Australian team came from behind and defeated the Chinese team 3-1, rising to second place in the group.

In Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are tied 2-2 in a five-game series. Shohei Ohtani hit a home run in the opener, helping the Dodgers win 7-5. The Padres fought back strongly in the second quarter, pitcher Yu Darvish performed well, and the team won 10-2. They then narrowly lost 6-5 before the Dodgers beat them 8-0 in the fourth meeting. The decider will take place Friday night in Los Angeles.