kidnapping
Told junior high student who wanted to run away he’d pick her up, and also “Bring your school uniform.”
A girl who was apparently held captive in Tokyo for two years has escaped and been reunited with her family.
Police in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, said Saturday that at least 30 elementary schools received postcards this week, in which the sender threatened to kidnap a child.
If you’ve been in Japan over the last week, you’ve no doubt heard about the young girl in Okayama Prefecture who disappeared on her way home from school on the 14th. While a story like this all too often ends in tragedy, in this case, the girl was found unharmed five days later, confined at the home of a 49-year-old local man, Takeshi Fujiwara.
Fujiwara was arrested on charges of kidnapping and illegal confinement and now details are beginning to emerge from the questioning about his creepy, creepy motives.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japanese boy band shakes up the music world as all nine members kiss each other in new video clip
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
What does a kanji with 12 “kuchi” radicals mean? A look at weird, forgotten Japanese characters
Do Japanese women check out each other’s lingerie at the hot springs? Survey investigates
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
What does a kanji with 12 “kuchi” radicals mean? A look at weird, forgotten Japanese characters
Do Japanese women check out each other’s lingerie at the hot springs? Survey investigates
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Kyoto Shinkansen sweets dessert hack – How to make the bullet train’s super-hard ice cream even better
Which Japanese convenience store sells the best pizzas?【Taste test】
If Fast and Furious was about 1970s Japanese truckers, this dekotora would be the star【Photos】
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Domino’s Japan’s New Cheese Volcano Pizza is a game-changer that’s about to go global
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
-
