Society

Japanese Death Row Inmate Dies of Old Age

NAGOYA, May 04 (News On Japan) - Kazuhiko Matsumoto, a 70-year-old man on death row for killing two men in the Philippines for insurance money, has died of natural causes.

Matsumoto was convicted of murdering two men in Manila between 1994 and 1995 to collect life insurance payouts. His death sentence was finalized after trial proceedings confirmed his involvement in the crimes.

While receiving treatment for pneumonia, Matsumoto died of old age on May 1st.

Between 1994 and 1995, Matsumoto, along with his twin brother Akihiro and other accomplices, conspired to murder two male acquaintances in Manila. One of the victims was from Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and had taken out a substantial insurance policy on his home prior to the incident. The motive behind these crimes was to fraudulently claim life insurance benefits.

Following his arrest and trial, Matsumoto's death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007, solidifying his position on death row. His twin brother, Akihiro, who was also sentenced to death for his role in the murders, died of illness in 2016 while awaiting execution.

Matsumoto had been detained at the Nagoya Detention House and was hospitalized since November 2024 for pneumonia and other health issues. He passed away on May 1, 2025, due to hyponatremia, a condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood. With his death, the number of inmates on death row in Japan decreased to 106.

Source: FNN

Japan–Iran Foreign Ministers Hold Phone Talks Over Gulf Attacks

Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and condemned attacks on civilian facilities in Gulf countries as well as actions threatening navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, urging Iran to halt such activities.

Two Men Fall While Climbing Mount Fuji

Two men fell while climbing Mount Fuji shortly before 3 p.m. on March 9th near the New Seventh Station, as authorities launched a rescue operation on the mountain where summit routes remain closed for the winter season.

Another Tree Falls in Tokyo Park

A day after a woman in her 70s was injured when a cherry tree collapsed at the same park, another tree was found toppled in Kinuta Park in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward on March 8th.

Sake Brewed on International Space Station Arrives at Kansai Airport

Sake brewed aboard the International Space Station returned from orbit and arrived at Kansai International Airport on March 6th, marking a milestone in a Japanese initiative aimed at eventually producing alcohol on the Moon.

Prince Hisahito Skis With Children in Hokkaido

Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko and second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, joined children on the ski slopes during a visit to Hokkaido, where he was seen offering assistance to a child who had fallen.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Why Japanese Women Don’t Want to Marry Anymore

Right now in Japan, more women say they do not want to get married. In 1980, the unmarried rate for women was about 4%, meaning most women eventually married. Today it is about 23%, or roughly one in four women. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

Prince Hisahito Skis With Children in Hokkaido

Yakuza Boss Arrested for Forcing Restaurant to Buy Lucky Charm

An 83-year-old yakuza boss has been arrested on suspicion of collecting protection money by forcing a restaurant owner to purchase a decorative rake known as a kumade.

Fake Accounts Exploit Popularity of Punch the Baby Monkey

The sight of Punch, a baby monkey often seen clutching an orangutan plush toy as a substitute mother, has captured widespread attention, but the animal’s growing popularity has also led to the emergence of fraudulent social media accounts soliciting donations in his name.

Man Rearrested Over Stabbings in Dotonbori

A 21-year-old man has been rearrested in connection with a stabbing incident in Osaka’s Minami district that left three 17-year-old boys dead or injured, as police also launched outreach efforts for troubled youths in the area.

Solo Hanami Gains Popularity

As pollen season reaches its peak and spring approaches, a new survey shows that people in Japan are planning to spend less on cherry blossom viewing this year, while the trend of enjoying "solo hanami" is rapidly gaining popularity.

First Nationwide Case of Electric Scooter Rider Referred to Prosecutors

A man has been referred to prosecutors by the Metropolitan Police Department for failing to attend a mandatory safety course after being cited for traffic violations while riding an electric scooter.

Hokkaido Police Probe Second Suspicious Fire Near Mosque

A fire that scorched the exterior wall of a company operated by a Pakistani national was discovered in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, on March 1st, just one day after a mosque located about 400 meters away caught fire, prompting police to investigate the possibility that the two incidents may be connected.

< 2 3 4 5 >