Shohei Ohtani wins MVP award for fourth time

In this week’s news roundup, we congratulate Shohei Ohtani for winning his fourth MVP award. NHK party leader Takashi Tachibana was arrested on defamation charges. Tensions rise between Japan and China. Maya Imamori was fired from her role in the Super Sentai drama No.1 Team Gorzyug Due to underage drinking. Perfume singer Nishiwaki Ayaka marries a fan. We pay tribute to the legendary actor Tatsuya Nakadai who passed away at the age of 92.

Ohtani wins MVP award again

Shohei Ohtani won his third consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and his fourth on Thursday night. His latest honors come as no surprise. In 2024, he made history by becoming the first member of Major League Baseball’s 50-50 Club with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. In 2025, he created a new 50-50 club, becoming the first player in MLB history to have at least 50 strikeouts and 50 home runs in the same season.

Ohtani finished the regular season with 55 home runs and 62 strikeouts. He saved his best performance for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Six scoreless innings, 10 strikeouts and three homers. It was one of the greatest plays of all time and has rightly been named Major League Baseball’s Moment of the Year.

Original image: Wikimedia Commons, edited by TW (Victoria Bennett)

NHK leader Tachibana Tachibana arrested for defamation

Japan’s NHK party leader Takashi Tachibana was arrested on Sunday for allegedly defaming a former member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. He is accused of spreading lies through street speeches and social media posts about Hideaki Takeuchi, who committed suicide in January. Takeuchi is a member of a special investigative committee established to investigate allegations against Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito, who has been accused of engaging in workplace bullying and other misconduct.

Saito was forced to resign, angering his supporters. Tachibana called Takeuchi “the mastermind” behind the accusations against the former governor. Referring to Takeuchi in a speech, he later said, “It is very likely that he is being questioned by the police.” After Takeuchi’s death, Tachibana posted on X that he appeared to be on the verge of arrest. The Hyogo Prefectural Police Chief flatly denied the accusation. In June, Takeuchi’s wife filed a criminal complaint.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae | Wikimedia

China’s envoy threatens to “cut off that dirty neck” in response to Gao Yi’s Taiwan-related remarks

On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara complained to China about a diplomat’s “extremely inappropriate” remarks. Two days ago, Xue Jian, the Chinese Consul General in Osaka, said Wrote On Asahi Shimbun.

The article quoted Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s comments about Taiwan. Takaichi claimed that if China imposed a naval blockade on Taiwan, it could pose an “existential threat to the situation” and force Japan to respond. Asked on Monday to clarify her position, she explain“Although I stated a variety of possible scenarios, I also stated that the government will consider all information and make a comprehensive judgment on whether it constitutes an ‘existence-threatening situation.'”

Stills from “Seppuku” (1962) starring Tatsuya Nakadai | © Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Star

Tuesday, mechanism Tatsuya Nakadai announced that the legendary actor passed away due to complications from pneumonia. The Tokyo native, a central figure in the golden age of Japanese cinema, died on November 8 at the age of 92 in a Tokyo hospital. He is best known for his work with esteemed directors Masaki Kobayashi and Akira Kurosawa. The former reportedly discovered him while he was working as a store clerk.

Kobayashi subsequently cast him in an uncredited role room with thick walls (1953). The two went on to make several successful films together, including human condition Trilogy (1959-1961), seppuku (1962) and egg (1964) and samurai rebellion (1967). Nakadai’s first film collaboration with Akira Kurosawa was the 1954 classic Seven Samurai. He eventually replaced Toshiro Mifune as Akira Kurosawa’s first choice leading man, and played Shingen Takeda in the 1980 Palme d’Or-winning classic Kagemusha and the elderly warlord Ichimonji Hidetora in “Ichimonji Hidetora” Of course.

Super Sentai’s first female black ranger, Maya Imamori, fired over underage drinking scandal

On Saturday, TV Asahi confirmed that Japanese-Filipino actress Asa Imamori will also no longer appear in the “Super Sentai” series No.1 Team Gorzyugon suspicion of underage drinking. In the show, the 19-year-old gravure model and actress, who was first discovered by a talent scout as a TikToker, plays the role of Junno Ichikawa/Gozyu Unicorn, the first female Black Ranger. In addition to losing her role in the series, Imamori was also dumped by her agency, Seju.

“I deeply apologize for the trouble and concern my reckless behavior caused to so many people.” release Jin Sheng on Instagram. “As a member of society and as a human being, underage drinking is an extremely shameful behavior and is inexcusable regardless of the reason. I deeply appreciate the seriousness of my actions and deeply regret it. Through this incident, I have taken a serious look at my immaturity and deeply regret that I have betrayed everyone’s trust in me.”

Ayaka Nishiwaki shoots promotional photos for “Moon” (2023)

Perfume singer Nishiwaki Ayaka marries fan

Ayaka Nishiwaki, A-Chan of the popular all-female techno-pop band Perfume, announced on Tuesday that she had tied the knot. The 36-year-old singer revealed her news Instagram The page said she was married to “an ordinary man.” She added: “He’s been my best friend for a long time – he knows me inside out and has been a supporter of me and Perfume.”

Nishiwaki went on to say that it has always been her dream to marry a fan. “Congratulations to my teenage self. Well done!” she wrote. The singer added that she hopes to “become a ‘Superwoman’ and be able to share more laughter and energy with everyone.” Just before news of Nishiwaki’s marriage broke, the Perfume trio announced they would be taking a break from performing at the end of 2025.

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Updated on November 14, 2025