Overview

• On Aug. 18 at around 9:50 a.m., a seven-story building in Osaka’s Dotonbori district erupted in flames, deploying over 30 fire engines and a helicopter.
• Emergency responders reported two civilians suffered smoke inhalation; one firefighter was also injured with operations ongoing into the afternoon.
• Nagano District Prosecutors on Aug. 18 indicted 47-year-old Yusuke Yaguchi on charges of murder, attempted murder, weapons violations for the Jan. 22 knife attack at JR Nagano Station.
• Ibaraki Prefectural Police re-arrested 48-year-old Hirokazu Shiobara on Aug. 18 for attempted murder in the July 28 Mito mass cutting, citing his admission of intent to kill two victims.
• A multi-truck collision on the Isewangan Expressway’s upper route near Tokai Junction prompted a temporary closure, causing traffic delays during the busy Obon return period.