JAPUNDIT WEEKLY for April 19, 2025
The latest off-beat news from Japan
THIS WEEK
🚇 Predators prowl late-night trains in search of victims
⛓️ Court rules 14-hour immigration detention unjustified
🏫 Parents decry burdensome PTA roles
😔 Study reveals workplace loneliness
🚌 Bus driver loses pension over $7 theft
🌸 Yamanashi limits sakura festival coverage
🏘️ Shirakawago urges responsible tourism
🛫 Hello Kitty airport debuts in Oita
🚗 Drivers voluntarily pay tolls after system glitch
🍜 Asa ramen: Japan's breakfast tradition
Late-Night Commutes Turn Dangerous for Women in Japan
While Japan is often praised for the safety of its public transportation system, late-night train rides are increasingly becoming hunting grounds for predators, especially for women.
According to multiple reports, women commuting home alone late at night have been followed off trains, sometimes all the way to their front doors. One woman in her 30s recounted being stalked from a Tokyo train station to her apartment complex. The man turned back only after she made a loud phone call to her husband.
Experts say the problem lies not just in the behavior of these stalkers but also in the lack of meaningful institutional response. Many victims don’t report incidents, fearing they won’t be taken seriously. And even when they do, police responses are often limited or dismissive.
The article also points out the obvious: while women are urged to take precautions—walk fast, don’t use your phone, carry personal alarms—there’s little discussion about stopping the men following them.
In a country that markets itself as among the safest in the world, these stories challenge that narrative—and raise urgent questions about what "safe" really means.
Japanese Court Condemns 14-Hour Shackling of Man by Immigration Officers
A Japanese court has ruled that immigration officials acted unlawfully when they restrained a detainee for 14 straight hours, calling the treatment excessive and unjustified.
The case involved a man from Africa who was detained at an immigration center in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture. In March 2022, the man allegedly resisted being moved to a different cell. In response, officials placed him in metal restraints and kept him bound to a bed for over half a day—without medical necessity.
The Tokyo District Court found that this prolonged restraint amounted to a violation of the man’s rights, and ordered the government to pay him ¥220,000 (about $1,400) in damages.
This ruling follows increased scrutiny of Japan’s immigration detention system, particularly after the high-profile death of Wishma Sandamali, a Sri Lankan woman who died in detention in 2021. Critics argue the system lacks transparency, oversight, and basic compassion.
While the compensation was modest, the court’s acknowledgment of excessive force could be a small step toward long-overdue reforms.
Japanese Parents Push Back Against Forced PTA Duties
In what many are calling a long-overdue reckoning, Japanese parents are speaking out against mandatory PTA participation, calling it outdated, burdensome, and borderline coercive.
In Japan, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) are technically “voluntary,” but in reality, parents—especially mothers—are often pressured into joining and taking on unpaid roles, from running events to organizing paperwork-heavy duties. Declining to participate often comes with social stigma, guilt-tripping, or outright exclusion.
Some parents say PTA duties interfere with their jobs or stretch their already overworked schedules. Others question why schools rely so heavily on unpaid labor instead of providing adequate staff or simplifying bureaucratic processes.
One mother told reporters, “We’re expected to do everything without ever saying no,” echoing a sentiment shared by many. Online forums are also buzzing with stories of passive-aggressive tactics used to keep parents in line—like shaming or "forgetting" to notify them of school updates.
Calls are now growing to reform or replace the current PTA model, with suggestions that schools should modernize their communication tools and offer more flexible volunteer options—or simply stop pretending that ‘voluntary’ means optional.
Japan Salarymen: Lonely at Work, Lonely at Home
A new university study has found that nearly 1 in 10 Japanese salaried workers say they feel “always lonely”—a troubling statistic that adds to growing concerns about mental health and social isolation in the country.
The survey, conducted by researchers at Hiroshima University, focused on men and women in full-time employment across a range of industries. Among respondents, 9.3% reported feeling constant loneliness, while more than 30% said they felt isolated at least occasionally.
The findings suggest Japan’s trademark “gaman” (endurance) culture may be taking a greater toll than previously acknowledged. Long work hours, limited emotional openness, and shrinking social networks all appear to be contributing factors.
Experts warn that unchecked loneliness can lead to depression, reduced productivity, and even physical health issues. Despite growing public awareness, workplace support systems remain limited—and few employees feel comfortable speaking up.
As Japan continues to grapple with its aging population and social disconnect, this study is a reminder that being surrounded by coworkers doesn’t always mean you’re not alone.
Pilfered Pocket Change Costs a Bus Driver His Pension
In a case that’s raising more eyebrows than moral alarms, a former Kyoto bus driver has been stripped of his entire retirement allowance—worth 13 million yen (about $84,000)—after stealing a grand total of ¥1,070 (about $7).
The driver had been found guilty of pocketing the small amount of cash collected on a route he once operated. Kyoto City took swift disciplinary action, terminating his employment two months before retirement and denying him the full payout of his pension benefit.
The official justification? The embezzlement "undermined public trust."
Reactions online have been mixed. Some called the punishment fair and necessary to uphold public accountability. But others questioned whether it was wildly disproportionate, pointing out that the stolen amount wouldn’t even cover a bento and a bottle of tea at the convenience store.
Japan is no stranger to zero-tolerance discipline, but this case has many wondering where the line is between setting an example and destroying someone’s future over what amounts to pocket change.
Sakura Festival Publicity Silenced to Keep Tourists Away
In an unusual move to stem the tide of overtourism, officials in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture have asked the media not to cover its famous Kasuga River sakura festival this year.
Yes, you read that right—a cherry blossom festival that doesn’t want attention.
The decision was made after last year’s event drew overwhelming crowds, leading to complaints about noise, litter, parking chaos, and general overstimulation. Residents said it felt less like a neighborhood event and more like a scene from a theme park during Golden Week.
While the city isn’t canceling the festival, it’s asking media outlets to refrain from broadcasting or writing about it, in hopes that fewer tourists will show up. Whether that strategy will work in the age of viral videos and sakura selfies is another story.
This reflects a growing trend across Japan, where picturesque destinations are trying to avoid the very publicity that once made them famous.
Another Tourist Spot Says, “Maybe Don’t Come…”
Fresh on the heels of Yamanashi’s request to keep cherry blossom crowds away, Shirakawago, one of Japan’s most picturesque UNESCO World Heritage sites, has released a new “etiquette booklet” gently urging tourists to think twice before visiting—or at least to tread lightly when they do.
The village, famous for its thatched-roof farmhouses and picture-perfect mountain setting, has been overwhelmed in recent years by hordes of day-trippers who clog roads, trample fields, and treat locals like extras in a live-action Instagram set.
The new brochure doesn’t outright say “stay away,” but it’s filled with messages that hint in that direction: “Please avoid peak times,” “Don’t block roads,” and “This is a village, not a theme park.” One section reads like a polite but exhausted sigh: “Our everyday life continues even during tourist season.”
Meanwhile, the Japanese government has publicly stated it wants to triple the number of inbound tourists by 2030, despite locals and regional officials clearly hitting capacity.
The national dream of booming tourism revenue seems to be colliding with the reality of rural communities overwhelmed by selfie sticks and tour buses.
Oita Airport Goes Full Kitty
If you thought Pokémon flights and themed manhole covers were peak Japan, think again—Hello Kitty now has an entire airport.
Okay, not an entire airport, but Oita Airport in Kyushu has officially rebranded itself as Japan’s first Hello Kitty-themed airport, complete with pink signage, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, photo zones, themed souvenirs, and Kitty herself greeting passengers.
The project is part of a partnership with Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, and is aimed at promoting regional tourism and boosting airport traffic in a post-COVID world. Expect a Hello Kitty pop-up café, giant character displays, and of course, plenty of merch—because no airport lounge is complete without bow-shaped neck pillows.
Critics might roll their eyes, but in a country where mascots sell everything from life insurance to train lines, a Hello Kitty airport feels almost inevitable.
Whether this move is an inspired tourism strategy or just another entry in Japan’s relentless character-branding arms race… well, it’s definitely on-brand.
Auto Toll Collection Fails, 24,000 Drivers Pay Anyway
When the expressway toll system in Nagoya experienced a technical glitch earlier this month, allowing cars to pass through without being charged, most countries would’ve chalked up the lost revenue as a write-off.
But this is Japan.
In the days following the malfunction, nearly 24,000 drivers contacted the tollway operator to voluntarily offer payment for the fees they hadn’t been charged. Some even went so far as to visit service centers in person, paperwork in hand.
The Central Nippon Expressway Company (NEXCO) said it was “deeply grateful” for the honesty and cooperation shown by the public, noting that “the number far exceeded our expectations.” The system failure lasted less than a day, but the good-deed ripple effect is still going.
It’s a heartwarming reminder of the deep-rooted sense of personal responsibility that still runs strong in Japan—even when it means paying for something no one asked you to.
Ramen for Breakfast? Japan Says Yes
In Japan, ramen isn't just for lunch or dinner. Enter asa ramen (朝ラーメン), a morning tradition that began in Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, during the Taisho Period (1912–1926).
Tea plantation workers, starting their days before sunrise, sought hearty meals after early shifts. Recognizing this need, local ramen shops began opening in the mornings, giving rise to the asa ramen culture.
A notable variant is Shida ramen, characterized by its light bonito and soy sauce-based broth, smooth noodles, and lean char siu. Uniquely, it's served with both hot and cold noodles, allowing diners to experience contrasting flavors and temperatures in one meal.
The asa ramen trend has spread beyond Shizuoka.
In Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, known for its thick, curly noodles and soy-based broth, morning ramen has become a staple, especially among agricultural workers seeking sustenance after early labor.
Urban centers like Tokyo and Osaka have embraced asa ramen, with shops opening as early as 6:00 AM to cater to commuters and early risers. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, as ramen shops adjusted hours to comply with restrictions, leading to a morning ramen boom.
Whether you're an early bird or seeking a unique culinary experience, asa ramen offers a delightful start to the day.