Japan

令和8年「トクリュウ対策強化の年に」 猛威振るう特殊詐欺、撲滅のカギは国際連携

The Sankei News | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Corporate Corruption or Fraud

In December of Reiwa 7 (2025), Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi convened prosecutors dealing with organized crime to instruct strict enforcement of countermeasures against Tokuryu special fraud, noting the rise of crimes by anonymous, mobile groups. The authorities have designated 2026 as a key year to enhance efforts against this growing threat.

Data from the National Police Agency shows that by the end of October 2025, special fraud cases numbered 22,657 with damages totaling 109.7 billion yen, marking significant increases from the previous year. The use of international phone numbers in these crimes also surged, reaching 79,477 incidents.

Due to the difficulty in controlling Tokuryu fraud, the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office announced in October 2025 a policy to actively use plea bargaining to encourage cooperation in investigations, aiming to accelerate prosecutions. Prosecutors nationwide have been assigned to facilitate plea bargaining processes.

Minister Hiraguchi emphasized utilizing the Organized Crime Punishment Act and investigative tools like wiretapping and plea bargains. The Ministry of Justice, prosecutors, and police have aligned to prioritize Tokuryu countermeasures in 2026.

Law enforcement actions highlight the international dimension of the issue, with arrests involving Japanese high school students recruited to fraud bases in Myanmar and operators managing fraud networks out of Cambodia. Overseas-based special fraud operations have expanded rapidly in recent years.

The Mainichi | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Accidents

A sightseeing helicopter crashed on January 20, 2026, inside the main crater of Mount Nakadake, part of Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, a popular tourist destination in Japan. Mount Aso is known for helicopter tours that offer close-up views of its craters, attracting many foreign visitors, with about 1.18 million inbound tourists visiting Aso-Kuju National Park in 2024, making it Japan’s second most visited national park.

Despite the volcano's active status, with an eruption alert level of 1 and generally low volcanic activity, manned helicopter flights are regularly allowed in the area as long as weather conditions are favorable. Drones and unmanned aircraft are banned within a 1-kilometer radius of Mount Nakadake’s craters to avoid difficult recoveries after crashes. The crashed helicopter was found on the northern slope of the first crater, with ongoing rescue efforts monitoring volcanic gas levels.

Local authorities expressed surprise over the accident as flying around the crater was not previously considered dangerous. Decisions on how to respond to the crash have not yet been made. The incident raises questions about the safety protocols surrounding aerial tours above active volcanic sites.

Nippon | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara described alleged espionage involving a former employee of Russia's trade representation in Japan as "regrettable." The individual was referred to Japanese prosecutors on suspicion of illegally obtaining trade secrets from a Japanese machine tool manufacturer, in violation of the unfair competition prevention law.

The Foreign Ministry communicated Japan's position on the incident to Russia. Kihara emphasized the importance of strictly addressing foreign agency activities to protect national interests and the safety of Japanese citizens. He also highlighted the need to enact legislation against espionage, as outlined in the coalition agreement between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party.