Overview
- Hyogo prefectural police arrested a 49-year-old man who has told investigators he stabbed a 33-year-old resident from behind in a Himeji apartment parking lot, with CCTV showing a similar-looking man scouting the area the night before.
- Police say the suspect used a rental car picked up in Kobe on January 19, and they are examining possible planning, motive, and any connection between the two men.
- The Nago mayoral election in Okinawa votes on January 25 in a de facto head-to-head centered on the Henoko relocation, pitting challenger Kumiko Onaga, backed by opposition parties, against incumbent Taketoyo Toguchi, backed by the ruling coalition.
- National election logistics advanced as House ballots arrived at the Hokkaido election office’s Soya branch on January 24 for sorting to 10 municipalities, ahead of the January 27 official announcement and February 8 voting; campaign rhetoric sharpened with Noda urging caution on Henoko and Aso casting the centrist alliance as a sudden entrant.
- Regional updates included Shiribeshi tourism data showing Kutchan visitor numbers up 3.9% and Niseko down 12.4% in April–September 2025, the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival opening January 24 through March 8, and Obu’s former school pool converted into a skate park set to open February 1 with free access on weekends and school holidays.