Overview

• Kanagawa Prefectural Police issued a verification report conceding they underestimated risk and missed chances to protect Asahi Okazaki, with about 40 personnel to be disciplined and Chief Kaoru Wada receiving a stern oral warning.
• Planned fixes include creating a command post for stalking cases, a dedicated case‑management unit at headquarters, and stronger direction to precincts to prevent missed high‑risk warnings.
• National Police Agency Commissioner Yoshinobu Kusunoki said oversight of prefectural forces will be tightened, and Public Safety Commission chief Manabu Sakai urged swift execution of remedial steps.
• The Nagano District Court opened the trial over the 2023 four killings; defendant Masanori Aoki said he would remain silent as the defense contests criminal responsibility, while prosecutors argue he could discern right and wrong, with 13 sessions set and a verdict due Oct. 14.
• Gifu police prepared to re‑arrest Koji Tachibana and Miki Kambara on suspicion of murdering Keiko Tateno by strangulation after earlier arrests for abandoning her body, while public‑safety updates included JAL500’s safe return to New Chitose after an engine issue and a Joetsu Line derailment that halted service between Numata and Minakami; JR Central said no planned Tokaido Shinkansen suspensions for Sept. 5 though delays are possible.