JAPUNDIT WEEKLY for May 25, 2025
Selected news stories from Japan
THIS WEEK
🚓 Police chase ends with surprise — the driver was one of their own
✂️ Appliance store dispute ends with forced head shaving
🚖 Tokyo taxi driver accused of serial assaults on passengers
📞 Japan Post worker uses delivery label to make a creepy call
🏫 University slammed for teaching pseudoscientific healing
🎭 Todai sued over demand for sex-related entertainment
🦑 Sushi monsters blur the line between cute and terrifying
🪑 Shinkansen-style furniture brings rail otaku dreams home
📸 Locals push back as Mt. Fuji photo mania gets out of hand
🔮 Earthquake rumors spook tourists, despite zero science
Police Chase… Themselves? Female Officer in Nagasaki Tries to Outrun Fellow Cops
In a scene straight out of a sitcom — or maybe a cautionary training video — police in Nagasaki found themselves in a high-speed pursuit… of one of their own.
A female officer, reportedly late getting home after a long shift, floored it on a local road, triggering a pursuit by fellow officers unaware of her identity.
When finally stopped, she allegedly told them she "just wanted to get home and sleep." She was off duty but still in uniform. It didn’t help.
Internal investigations are underway, and while no injuries occurred, it’s not every day the police chase the police — and lose.
Kyoto Man Forces Clerk to Shave Head in Apology
A 49-year-old man in Kyoto has been arrested after allegedly coercing a 42-year-old male electronics store clerk into shaving his own head as an act of contrition over a dispute regarding malfunctioning hair clippers.
The suspect reportedly demanded a replacement for the clippers and insisted it be delivered to his home. Upon the clerk's arrival, the man allegedly displayed his tattoos—implying ties to organized crime—and told the clerk, “If you're really sorry, shave your head. You know, a repentance shave.”
The clerk complied, shaving the right side of his head with the new clippers and cleaning up the hair trimmings before leaving. Subsequent investigation revealed that the original clippers were fully functional.
This incident highlights the extreme forms of customer harassment that retail workers in Japan can face, often rooted in outdated notions of public apology and contrition.
Tokyo Taxi Driver Suspected of Drugging, Raping Dozens of Female Passengers
Tokyo police have arrested a former taxi driver after discovering over 3,000 illicit images on his devices — many depicting unconscious female passengers. Authorities suspect the man drugged his fares, assaulted them, and filmed the acts over an extended period.
Some of the footage appears to have been captured with a camera installed in the vehicle itself. Investigators are now working to identify the victims, many of whom may not have realized they were assaulted.
The sheer scale of the evidence has shocked even veteran officers — and triggered scrutiny over how ride-based crimes like this can remain hidden for so long.
Japan Post Worker Arrested for Calling Woman Using Number on Package
A postal employee in Aichi Prefecture has been arrested after he allegedly called a woman using her phone number — which he found on the shipping label of a package she received.
The 27-year-old man reportedly called the woman late at night, and while the details of the call haven’t been released, the woman contacted police the following day. The man admitted to making the call and was charged with violating Japan’s strict privacy protection laws.
University Under Fire for Teaching Pseudoscience as Healing Therapy
A private university in Japan is facing heavy criticism after it was revealed that several of its accredited classes teach “alternative healing” methods — including pseudoscientific approaches like energy balancing and aura realignment.
The curriculum came under scrutiny after students and medical professionals flagged the courses as scientifically baseless. The university has defended the program, citing "diversity in wellness education."
In a country where academic standards are normally rigid, this New Age fluff is raising serious questions about what qualifies as higher education.
University of Tokyo Sued Over Sex Entertainment Demands
Japan’s top university is facing a bizarre and disturbing lawsuit: a cosmetics industry group claims it was pressured by members of Todai’s medical school to provide sex-related entertainment during a sponsored research meeting.
The lawsuit alleges that students and staff members of the University of Tokyo's School of Medicine made repeated inappropriate demands during planning meetings and even followed up after the event.
The university says it’s "investigating."
Everyone else is wondering why Japan’s most elite academic institution keeps getting dragged into tabloid-level scandals.
Life-Sized Sushi Monster Figures Are Coming to Haunt Your Dreams
Why settle for kawaii when you can have nightmare-fuel cuteness? Japan is launching a line of life-sized sushi monster figurines — and they’re as weird as they sound.
Each monster is designed as a walking piece of sushi, complete with tiny arms, legs, and a thousand-yard stare. The idea, apparently, is to make sushi “more lovable.”
Expect these oddities to invade storefronts, Instagram, and possibly your nightmares.
Shinkansen Seat Upholstery Chairs Now Available for Your Living Room
Have you ever dreamed of having your own slice of the Shinkansen in your home?
Well, now you can. Japan Rail is offering official chairs made from the same upholstery used in bullet train cars.
Available in multiple colors and styles, these train-inspired thrones aren’t just for rail otaku — they’re surprisingly stylish and actually kind of practical. But make no mistake: if you buy one, you are broadcasting your commitment to train culture loud and clear.
Mount Fuji Photo Tourism Spurs Regret Among Locals
The viral appeal of snapping that perfect Mt. Fuji shot has triggered a wave of local frustration. Residents near popular viewpoints say they’re overwhelmed by tourists blocking streets, trespassing on private property, and even climbing onto rooftops.
One hot spot — a convenience store with a clear Fuji view — has become a symbol of the problem, as police and city officials struggle to manage the photo-mad crowds.
Japan may love its seasonal beauty and aesthetic culture, but even the land of wabi-sabi has its breaking point.
Megaquake Rumors Shake Japan's Tourism Industry
Unfounded online rumors predicting a massive earthquake in Japan this July have led to a significant decline in tourism, particularly from Hong Kong. Despite reassurances from Japanese authorities and seismologists that such predictions lack scientific basis, the spread of these rumors has caused widespread concern among potential travelers.
The rumors, which have gained traction on social media platforms, suggest an imminent "megaquake" that could devastate parts of Japan. This has resulted in a noticeable drop in travel bookings and inquiries, with some airlines reducing flights due to decreased demand. For instance, Greater Bay Airlines has cut back on its routes to certain Japanese cities in response to the declining number of passengers .
Japanese government agencies, including the Japan Meteorological Agency, have emphasized that while earthquake prediction is a subject of ongoing research, there is currently no reliable method to forecast specific seismic events. They urge the public to rely on official information and avoid spreading unverified claims .
Despite the current dip in tourism from certain regions, Japan continues to welcome visitors from around the world. Authorities are working to reassure travelers of the country's preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.