November 2011

Tokyo restaurants once again top the Michelin guide for three-star winners, Reuters reports

By Michael Blaskoski • November 30, 2011

Tokyo wins the top honor for the fifth year in a row as the world’s number one city for three-star restaurants according to the 2012 Michelin guide, Reuters reported.

Saitama man nabbed for sex with school girl in Yokohama park toilet

By CJ • November 30, 2011

Office worker allegedly pays 8,000 yen for sex with 16-year-old girl

Ex-Tokyo Performance Doll member Chizuru Tanaka arrested for stimulant drug use

By CJ • November 29, 2011

Investigators attempting to determine how Tanaka obtained the drugs

Director of TEPCO’s damaged nuclear plant steps down with undisclosed illness, AFP says

By Michael Blaskoski • November 29, 2011

The man charged with overseeing damage control at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has been forced to step down due to an undisclosed illness, Agence France-Presse said, citing a spokesperson for the utility.

Yakuza gangsters received loans in Miyagi after earthquake, prefeture demands return

By CJ • November 29, 2011

The social welfare council of Miyagi Prefecture said on Tuesday that it is demanding the return of 20 loans distributed to gangsters following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Nov. 29).

TEPCO study says no evidence explosion occurred at Fukushima No. 2 reactor, NHK reports

By Michael Blaskoski • November 29, 2011

A report by Tokyo Electric Power Company questions whether an explosion occurred in the company’s No. 2 nuclear reactor of its damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

Gas Panic clubs in Roppongi raided for improper licensing, two arrested

By CJ • November 28, 2011

Two popular nightclubs within Gas Panic chain raided over licensing violations

Construction exec gunned down in Kyushu, yakuza involvement suspected

By CJ • November 28, 2011

Kitakyushu construction company president shot and killed outside home

Book by Lindsay Hawker murderer Tatsuya Ichihashi to become film, AFP says

By Michael Blaskoski • November 28, 2011

The book written by a Japanese man who evaded police for two-and-a-half years after the murder of a young British English teacher is being made into a movie, Agence France-Presse reported, citing the producer.

Ex-Olympus chairman Woodford back in Japan, would consider return to helm

By CJ • November 28, 2011

Camera maker embroiled in a scandal for attempting to hide substantial investment losses