Ex-lawmaker GaaSyy pleads guilty to intimidation, apologizes
TOKYO, Sep 20 (NHK) - YouTuber and former Japanese lawmaker GaaSyy has pleaded guilty to habitual intimidation of people online and other charges.
GaaSyy, whose real name is Higashitani Yoshikazu, is charged with repeatedly intimidating four people, including an actor, by posting threatening videos on YouTube from February to August 2022.
He is said to have threatened two of them in an attempt to have them withdraw their criminal complaints against him.
His trial opened at the Tokyo District Court, on Tuesday.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges, and apologized, saying that he is sorry for causing victims substantial mental pain and financial damage.
He said he will reflect on his conduct, and atone for his actions for the rest of his life. He bowed deeply to the visitors' gallery.
His defense team insisted that his intimidation was not habitual.
Prosecutors said the defendant uploaded videos slandering celebrities and others, and gained more than one million registered viewers at one time. They said this earned the defendant a lot of money. ...continue reading
Japan PM Kishida's popularity further depletes over 'secret funds' scandal
WION - Dec 01
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity has further depleted with fresh corruption allegations emerging this week over the secret funds Tokyo had at its disposal that were allegedly used to sway the vote for the country to host the 2020 Olympics.
Former Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara launches new party
NHK - Dec 01
Former Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara Seiji has left the opposition Democratic Party for the People to form a new party with four other members of the Diet.
Japanese lawmakers dial up digital reform in Diet
News On Japan - Nov 30
As Japan's parliament inches towards digitalization, this week eliminating stenographers from the Upper House, smartphones are still banned while laptops are permitted, spurring bipartisan members to take action.
US military aircraft carrying six crashes off Japan
NHK - Nov 30
A US Osprey military aircraft carrying six people on board has crashed into the waters off southwestern Japan. One person is confirmed dead. A rescue effort by the Japanese coast guard is underway.
Russia withdraws from Osaka Expo
NHK - Nov 29
Russia says it will withdraw from the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka. The Russian representative made the announcement at a general meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on Tuesday.
Montenegro's new prime minister is Saitama University graduate
News On Japan - Nov 27
Miloiko Spajić, who became the Prime Minister of Montenegro last month, studied for four years as an international student in the Faculty of Economics at Saitama University and graduated in March 2012, it has been revealed.
Top diplomats from Japan and China meet in South Korea ahead of 3-way regional talks
AP - Nov 26
Top diplomats from Japan and China met for bilateral talks Saturday as they try to resolve disputes including China's ban on Japanese seafood that has badly hit Japanese exporters.
Japan's $88 billion extra budget clears lower house
Reuters - Nov 25
Japan passed on Friday an extra budget worth around 13.1 trillion yen ($88 billion) aimed at helping households cope with the rising cost of living and corporations boost domestic investment, even amid concerns over the country's worsening finances.
Elite Japanese airborne unit in action, 300 meters above ground
News On Japan - Nov 23
Japan hosted the "Self-Defense Forces Joint Exercise," from October 10, attended by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the U.S. military. JNN reports on Japan's only elite unit, the 1st Airborne Brigade, during their training.
MHI Is Riding the Wave of Japan's Boom in Defense Spending
The Diplomat - Nov 23
Japan’s biggest defense company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has outlined plans for future growth through development investment in new major national defense projects, including standoff missiles and a joint next-generation fighter program with Britain and Italy.
N.Korea says it successfully put satellite into orbit, Japan condemns launch
NHK - Nov 22
North Korea's space agency says the country has launched a rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite and put it successfully into orbit.
Japan to ban cannabinoid HHCH from Dec. 2 after gummies make many ill
Kyodo - Nov 22
A Japanese health ministry panel on Tuesday decided to ban HHCH, a synthetic cannabinoid, from Dec. 2 after many people who consumed gummies containing the compound had to go to the hospital.
Vandals attack home of Jewish US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel by defacing fence with the word NAZIS
dailymail.co.uk - Nov 22
The home of the US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel became the target of anti-Semitic vandals over the weekend who spray painted the word 'Nazis' on a fence outside his house in Michigan.
Japan condemns Yemen's Houthi rebels hijack of cargo ship in Red Sea
CNA - Nov 21
Japan has condemned the seizure of a Japanese-operated cargo ship by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, south of Israel.
Daisaku Ikeda: Influential leader of Japan's Soka Gakkai Buddhist group dies
AOL - Nov 19
Daisaku Ikeda, a former leader of Japan's influential Buddhist group Soka Gakkai, has died at the age of 95.
Edogawa installs 80 cameras to tackle highest bicycle theft rate in Tokyo
News On Japan - Nov 18
Edogawa Ward in Tokyo, which has the highest incidence of bicycle thefts in the city, announced the installation of 80 surveillance cameras in bicycle parking areas at private condominiums and other locations.
