Hello and welcome to today’s news from Japan Daily News on April 7th, 2024. In an effort to enhance the investigation of special fraud cases, the police in Japan have implemented a new system called the ‘Joint Investigation Team’ starting from April. This new system aims to shift from the ‘local jurisdiction principle’, where the police in the area where the crime occurred handle the case from the initial response to the arrest of the culprit. Instead, the police headquarters will establish joint investigation teams in major cities to combat fraud groups operating across multiple regions, utilizing the comprehensive capabilities of the police force to strengthen crackdowns.

Following a tragic accident in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, where a 9-year-old girl was fatally hit by a train at a railway crossing, the National Transportation Safety Commission has initiated a detailed investigation. The accident has prompted concerns about railway safety, and the commission will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent similar accidents in the future.

In other news, the annual ‘Cherry Blossom Festival’ is in full swing in Tama, Tokyo, attracting numerous visitors. This year, the festival includes booths dedicated to supporting the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake. People can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms while contributing to the recovery efforts of the disaster-stricken region.

Meanwhile, in Kanazawa, an event is being held to support the disaster-stricken areas by promoting the consumption of ‘Noto oysters,’ a specialty of Nanao Bay in Ishikawa Prefecture, which suffered significant damage during the Noto Peninsula earthquake. The event aims to boost morale and provide economic support to the affected region.

During a discussion on NHK’s ‘Sunday Debate,’ Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Takami, expressed his thoughts on the issue of maldistribution of doctors, particularly the shortage of doctors in rural areas. He suggested considering the allocation of doctors based on regional needs as a potential solution to address the imbalance in healthcare resources.

In Taiwan, the search and rescue efforts continue following the earthquake off the eastern coast. As of now, 13 fatalities have been confirmed, and the search for individuals who remain unaccounted for is ongoing. However, heavy rain in the affected area has made the search operation challenging. In a significant development, a rescue team from Turkey has arrived at the scene, becoming the first foreign rescue team to provide assistance.

Lastly, a police officer from Saitama Prefectural Police has been arrested on suspicion of secretly filming under a high school girl’s skirt using a smartphone at a train station in Yoshikawa City last month. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and security of individuals, particularly in public spaces. And now for the weather. Today in Tokyo, the weather will be mostly cloudy with light rain showers. The temperature will range from 12 to 16 degrees Celsius. Visit JapanDailyNews.com for the news, yen exchange rates, and a daily Japanese proverb.