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Tokyo Reported
a day ago
- Tokyo Reported
Street drinking by foreigners in Shibuya rankling locals
TOKYO (TR) – Over the past year, there have been several incidents near JR Shibuya Station in which foreigners have been the source of trouble. In one case, two foreigners jumped on the back of garbage truck. About six months before, another climbed on the roof of a convenience store. Both of those cases involved persons who had been drinking — and with summer here, Fuji News Network (July 11) reports that locals are upset at regular street drinking by foreigners in the area, which is now prohibited. The focus is a Family Mart outlet on Shibuya Center-gai street in Udagawacho. On the night of July 10, the network brought a camera to the area after a torrential downpour. By around 8:00 p.m., several foreigners had gathered at the aforementioned convenience store. Bottles in hand, they were drinking wine. (The network notes that there were also Japanese people drinking in the area.) Before the network knew it, the number of people had swelled to about 20, completely blocking the entrance to the convenience store. When the network confronted one male foreigner about street drinking, he insisted, 'It's okay. This is a convenience store, not the street. I don't drink on the street. I don't drink beer.' 'It's only 300 yen and you can get drunk!' Starting from October 2024, an ordinance banned drinking in public places around JR Shibuya station between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. daily. The goal is to reduce concerns about safety, noise and litter that comes with street-drinking. This is the first summer since the restriction was put in place — and many do not seem to be paying attention. When the network left the convenience store, there were bottles and empty cans scattered everywhere. Drinking on the street continued even after 1:00 a.m. Among those partaking were some foreign women sitting on the premises of a building. 'If you're drinking in [inside a bar], you're not getting drunk, so this is what you get,' said one woman, who had missed her last train home. 'It's good value for the money! I mean, if you drink at a bar, it would cost thousands of yen. If you drink here, it's only 300 yen and you can get this drunk!' The network noted that there have been many complaints from occupants of neighboring buildings over nuisance behavior. Much like the man quoted earlier, the woman went on to say that she was not in violation of the ban since she was technically not standing in the street. After saying she will dispose of her garbage, she continued, 'It's to stay hydrated [to beat the heat]. I'm going to live my life the way I want to. You only live once!' 'It's only 300 yen and you can get drunk!' The clean-up afterward begins each morning. Everyday, representatives from the Shibuya Center Shopping District Promotion Association collect trash in the area. The owner of a nearby restaurant told the network, 'It's because people don't follow the rules. Smoking on the street is also prohibited, but there were about 30 cigarette butts on the stairs of our building today.' Tatsuji Suzuki, the chairman of the Shibuya Center Shopping District Promotion Association, said that the perception of street drinking needs to change. 'If you come to Shibuya and see a few people drinking on the street, people may misunderstand and think it is acceptable. So I think it's important for tour companies to spread the word and make announcements.'
Tokyo Reported
05-07-2025
- Tokyo Reported
Man apprehended over fatal stabbing in Ikebukuro ‘didn't care' if victim died
TOKYO (TR) – A man in custody over the alleged fatal stabbing of male employee at a law firm inside the Sunshine 60 building in Toshima Ward earlier this week has told police that he 'didn't care if he died,' according to media reports. Just before noon on July 1, a male employee at the Adire Legal Professional Corporation, located on the 31st floor, alerted emergency services. 'A male staff member has been stabbed,' the caller said. Authorities arriving at the scene, found the victim — later identified as 36-year-old Daiki Yoshino — collapsed with stab wounds to the throat and neck. He later confirmed dead at a hospital, reports Fuji News Network (July 1). Shortly thereafter, Reito Watanabe, a 50-year-old resident of Shinjuku Ward, appeared at a police box near Ikebukuro Station's East Exit. He then confessing to stabbing the man with a kitchen knife. Police then arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder. At the time, he was in possession of bloodstained folding knife with a 9-centimeter-long blade. Two additional knives were found in his backpack. He told police, 'I don't remember stabbing him, but before I knew it I had done it.' Police sent Watanabe to prosecutors on suspicion of murder and violating of the Swords and Firearms Control Law on July 3. Reito Watanabe was arrested for murder on July 1 (X) Without saying a word According to police, Watanabe stabbed Yoshino from behind while he was seated without saying a word. The suspect then fled on foot toward the station. The East Exit of Ikebukuro Station is located about 500 meters from the scene. In early June, Watanabe told an acquaintance that he was going to stab someone and go to prison, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (July 3). His father, who had been contacted, then consulted the police. Police officers later visited the suspect's home along with his parents, but he was not there. After confirming that there were no dangerous objects in the residence, they asked that his parents to talk to him and contact the police at a later date, reports NHK (July 2). Police believe that Watanabe had a grudge again Yoshino. According to investigators, Watanabe explained that he had purchased at least one of the knives about a month ago and had been carrying it around with him. He said, 'I felt like [Yoshino] was making fun of me, and I was growing resentful. I stabbed him, thinking that I didn't care if I died.' Reito Watanabe allegedly stabbed Daiki Yoshino with a knife on July 1 (X) Overpaid interest on loans The incident took place at the headquarters of the Adire Legal Professional Corporation, which has 235 lawyers at its 65 offices nationwide. The firm handles lawsuits connected to the return of overpaid interest on loans. In 2017, the Tokyo Bar Association suspended the firm from business operations for two months for an advertising a campaign that falsely stated that initial fees would be waived for overpayment claims. After the stabbing incident, the law firm commented, 'We sincerely pray for the repose of our deceased employee. We will fully cooperate with the investigation and promptly report the facts as they become clear.'
Tokyo Reported
30-06-2025
- Tokyo Reported
‘I borrowed my boyfriend's shirt' – Cops enforce revised law amid latest sex biz workaround
TOKYO (TR) – The fundamental reason for the existence of so-called 'girl's bar' establishments is to work around stringent rules in the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses. The goal is to offer nearly identical services as a hostess club while maintaining an official status as an eating-and-drinking operation. The crucial difference is entertainment — as in, a business must ensure that the authorities believe customers are not being entertained. It seems, however, proprietors were pushing their luck. A revised version of the law came into effect on June 28. As a result, Tokyo Metropolitan Police initiated its first crackdowns on girl's bars over a two-day period starting that day, reports Fuji News Network (June 30). During the raids, police cited seven businesses and made 12 arrests in Shibuya, Machida, Shimbashi, Yotsuya, Kabukicho and Ueno. Among those arrested was Daisuke Nishiyama, the 32-year-old owner of Dice Bar, a girl's bar in Shibuya. Daisuke Nishiyama (X) 'I borrowed my boyfriend's shirt' Nishiyama is suspected of having female employees entertain customers without a license, such as by having them chat with customers. 'I entertained people without permission, hoping it would boost sales,' he told police in admitting to the allegations. The bar's concept is 'I borrowed my boyfriend's shirt,' which includes the female staff wearing oversized men's shirts. Located in the Dogenzaka area of Shibuya, the bar had received warnings three times in the past but continued to operate without a license under the adult-entertainment law. Since opening in October 2022, Dice Bar has accumulated sales of approximately 160 million yen. Under the revised law, operators of unlicensed businesses face imprisonment of up to five years, an increase by three years over the previous version. As well, the maximum fine increased from 2 million yen to 10 million yen.
Tokyo Reported
16-06-2025
- Tokyo Reported
Ex-Michelin-star restaurant served bento boxes despite suspension for norovirus TokyoReporter
OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police on Monday arrested the managers of a one-time Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant for allegedly selling bento boxes contaminated with norovirus while operations were suspended, reports Fuji News Network (June 16). Police accused Hirokazu Kitano, the 69-year-old manager of Kiichi, his son, 41-year-old Hirotoshi and his wife, 68-year-old Noriko, of violating the Food Sanitation Law. According to police, the three suspects allegedly sold eleven bento boxes contaminated with norovirus on February 16 despite an order to cease operations. The incident emerged after a total of 33 customers experienced symptoms that included vomiting and diarrhea following the consumption of meals at the restaurant or bento boxed meals sold between early and mid-February. A doctor reported to the public health center that norovirus was detected in the stool of a patient who visited the restaurant on February 10, 2025. After an investigation, the public health center determined that the food poisoning was caused by food provided by the restaurant and ordered the restaurant to suspend operations for two days from February 15. But the problem persisted. Between February 22 and 24, an additional 23 people contracted norovirus after eating at the restaurant. The center ordered the restaurant to shut again from March 2. Business resumed on March 18. Hirokazu Kitano, center, Hirotoshi, left and Noriko (X) Luxurious bentos The catered bento boxes in question were luxurious, containing simmered dishes, tempura, sashimi and other items. The list price was 7,268 yen each, including tax. A total of 11 'Rokutsugiri Kongo Makunouchi' and 'Kids' Bento' boxes were made during the suspension of operations. When asked to comment on the making and selling of bento boxes despite an order to halt operations, Hirokazu Kitano stated, 'We cooked and sold 11 bento boxes at Kiichi. We had a poor understanding of the dangers of norovirus.' Police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.
Tokyo Reported
16-06-2025
- Tokyo Reported
Russian nabbed for attempted pickpocketing on Yamanote TokyoReporter
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a male Russian national for allegedly attempting to pickpocket a commuter on the Yamanote Line last week, reports Fuji News Network (June 16). On the evening of June 13, Shemshukevich Vitaly, 46, allegedly reached inside the bag of a man inside a crowded carriage near Shinjuku Station during rush-hour. Two railway police officers then grabbed him from behind. Upon his arrest on suspicion of attempted theft, Vitaly denied the charges. 'I haven't done anything wrong. The zipper on my bag is closed, so there's no way it could have been opened,' he told the Shinjuku Police Station. Before the incident, Vitaly stood in front of the male commuter carrying the bag. He draped his clothes over his arm so his hands weren't visible. He then put his other hand in the pocket of the commuter's bag. Shemshukevich Vitaly (X) Pickpocketing pro Police have been wary of Vitaly for some time. He has entered and left the country about 20 times in the past two years. According to police, pickpocketing has been a regular practice for him during those times. Fourteen cases have been reported. One of them took place on June 6, when Vitaly committed the crime right in front of Tokyo Metropolitan Police officers on alert. Police said that there had been 127 cases of pickpocketing this year as of the end of May. This is already 1.6 times the number over the same period in 2024.
