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Japan Post Hit With New Hokkaido Sanctions as Fraud Losses Jump and Ebetsu Fire Spreads

Local oversight tightens in response to safety lapses, rising fraud, governance concerns.

Overview

  • The Hokkaido Transport Bureau ordered an additional suspension of 15 light vans across eight Japan Post offices under the Cargo Motor Vehicle Transport Business Act, citing improper alcohol-check procedures in what the bureau described as a further action and the 14th sanction.
  • Police in the Tomakomai area reported provisional special-fraud losses of about ¥35.5 million from January to November 2025, roughly 5.5 times the prior year, with tactics including video calls and social media messages by impostors posing as police or known individuals.
  • A late-night fire that began at a combined residence and motorcycle shop in Ebetsu’s Oasa Higashi-cho spread to three nearby buildings, with firefighting continuing and no injuries reported, according to local fire and police officials.
  • A public report by Fukui Prefecture’s special investigation committee concluded former governor Tatsuji Sugimoto lacked awareness appropriate to a top leader in sexual-harassment conduct, highlighting organizational culture and accountability failures.
  • Ebetsu Mayor Yoshito Goto said he aims to enact a children’s rights ordinance within this year with possible enforcement starting January 1, 2027, framing it as part of broader efforts to strengthen child-focused policy.