Overview
- Yamaguchi prefectural police arrested two men on October 25 on suspicion of robbery and murder in the August killing of an 80-year-old confectioner at his combined shop and home in Mine City.
- Police say the suspects are accused of conspiring to strike the shop owner with a blunt instrument between August 27 and 28, injuring the 78-year-old wife and stealing a safe, and that the two men were acquaintances who likely drove to the scene.
- Both suspects remain in custody on charges including robbery-murder and theft, and authorities have not reported their formal pleas or an indictment timetable.
- Organizers of the Yokohama International Horticultural Exposition reported about 2.9 million tickets sold by October 18, roughly under 30% of the target, while recent turnover in city and national exhibition leadership has raised urgent concerns about public awareness.
- Local reporting also highlights community moments and sports news this week, including TERU of GLAY unveiling a new cheering song at Hakodate Commercial High School’s 140th ceremony, a fan event with retired skaters Miho Takagi and Ayano Sato, Hanshin’s three-year contract for manager Kyuji Fujikawa through 2029, and Júbilo Iwata’s match marred by Takashi Inui’s red card.