Court rejects retrial for man on death row over 1961 killings May. 25, 2012 - 02:30PM JST ( 47 ) A court on Friday rejected an appeal by a farmer who has spent 40 years on death row for the murder of his wife, his mistress and three other women who died after drinking poisoned wine in rural Japan. The Nagoya High Court "turned down the… Read
Man stabbed on platform at Shibuya subway station Crime May. 21, 2012 - 09:23PM JST ( 21 Comments ) A man in his 50s was stabbed in the back after an apparent argument with another commuter at Shibuya station on Monday night. Police said the stabbing took place at around 6:15 p.m. Witnesses said… Read
University student arrested after choking AKB48 fan to steal photos Crime May. 21, 2012 - 02:31PM JST ( 41 Comments ) Police have arrested a 19-year-old male university student for allegedly choking an AKB48 fan in order to steal AKB48 photos at at hand-shaking event held by the group. According to police, the suspect -- who… Read
'Pink Panther' thief sent home for trial over Tokyo heist Crime May. 20, 2012 - 03:07PM JST ( 12 Comments ) A Montenegrin member of the "Pink Panther" gang of international thieves has been sent home for trial over the $3.6 million robbery of a Tokyo jewelry shop, according to Japanese police. In the June 2007… Read
Man severs real estate agent's arm with katana Crime May. 20, 2012 - 06:00AM JST ( 40 Comments ) Police said Saturday they have arrested a man after he seriously injured three people in a rampage with a katana at an Utsunomiya real estate agent. According to police, Hifumi Kuwada, 63, from Fuchu in… Read
South Asia a rising force in global meth trade Crime May. 20, 2012 - 03:18AM JST ( 4 Comments ) Iran, Pakistan and other South Asian countries are a fast-rising force in the global methamphetamine market, with drug cartels thriving off the weak governance and law enforcement that have long fueled the region's heroin trade.… Read
Sea Shepherd leader Watson freed on bail while extradition decided Crime May. 19, 2012 - 02:16PM JST ( 54 Comments ) A German court on Friday granted bail to Paul Watson, the founder of marine conservation group Sea Shepherd, while authorities decide whether he can be extradited to Costa Rica. The higher regional court in Frankfurt… Read
13-year-old girl on bike dies after being hit by truck Crime May. 19, 2012 - 02:00PM JST ( 21 Comments ) A 13-year-old girl died after she was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, police said Saturday. According to police, the accident occurred at 8 a.m. on Friday, TBS… Read
81-year-old habitual pickpocket busted again Crime May. 19, 2012 - 06:20AM JST ( 18 Comments ) Police said Friday they have arrested an 81-year-old man for attempted theft after he tried to steal a purse from an elderly woman's handbag at Tokyo Station. According to police, the suspect, identified as Shigekazu… Read
Peru's famed hostage raid on Japanese embassy investigated Crime May. 19, 2012 - 05:10AM JST ( 5 Comments ) Peruvians traumatized by years of guerrilla violence cheered in 1997 when government troops raided the Japanese ambassador's residence to rescue hostages held for 126 days by leftist rebels. The dramatic rescue, begun with a blast… Read
Chiba woman stabbed to death at home Crime May. 18, 2012 - 06:41AM JST ( 12 Comments ) Police said Thursday that a 72-year-old woman was stabbed to death at her home in Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture. According to police, Kazue Ishida was found by her granddaughter, with whom she shared a house, on… Read