Aichi prefectural police arrested 29 Japanese men and women on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted fraud, following their detention at a facility in Cambodia believed to be a hub for organized scams. (News On Japan)

Sculptures of nude women, once a common sight in parks and public squares, are now at the center of growing debate. In Takamatsu, a port city on Japan’s Shikoku Island, two statues of naked girls in a park are scheduled to be removed this month as part of a renovation project. (News On Japan)

Three people living in Hokkaido, including a restaurant operator from Niseko, have been arrested and indicted at New Chitose Airport for attempting to import cannabis seeds. (News On Japan)

Japan recorded a trade deficit of 117.5 billion yen in July as exports to the United States fell by more than 10 percent, marking a fourth consecutive monthly decline and underscoring the impact of so-called Trump tariffs. (News On Japan)

A glowing object was seen streaking across the sky in western Japan on Tuesday night, with multiple reports of a bright flash followed by a trail of light. Observers suggested it may have been a particularly bright meteor, known as a fireball, or possibly a meteorite. (News On Japan)

A breakin competition was held on August 16th at Granship in Shizuoka City, where participants engaged in heated dance battles. Breakin, also known as breakdancing, was added as a new sport at the Paris 2024 Olympics, drawing growing attention worldwide. (News On Japan)

Mitsui Fudosan Group has renovated a 250-year-old traditional Japanese house in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward to make it earthquake resistant and opened it to the public on August 19th. The small residence, built in the late Edo period, has been preserved with much of its original character intact. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Ishiba held a 30-minute meeting with Microsoft founder and global philanthropist Bill Gates at the Prime Minister’s Office on August 19th, where the two exchanged views on global health issues. (News On Japan)

Vandals have attacked Midorimachi Park in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture -- where around 5,000 roses bloom each year -- with graffiti resembling the letters 'Rizz.' (News On Japan)

Osaka Prefecture has projected that the number of its prefectural high schools should be reduced by about 32 over the next 15 years, leaving around 104 schools, as the decline in the student population shows no sign of stopping. The prefecture currently operates 136 schools. (News On Japan)

Mercari, Japan’s leading flea market app, has banned the sale of empty cartridges from July after a request from the National Police Agency, citing concerns that they could be reused to make live ammunition. (News On Japan)