We’ve listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between April 11 and 9. The first story was viewed by 23.4% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)
On April 15, 2026, police officers head toward the home of 11-year-old Yuki Adachi, who was found dead, in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture. (Mainichi/Rintaro Nagasawa)
How police connected the dots to arrest father after Kyoto Pref. boy found dead
NANTAN, Kyoto — Early on April 16, Kyoto Prefectural Police arrested the father of an 11-year-old boy whose body was found in the prefecture on April 13, following a search by over 1,000 personnel. Full story.
Marawan Gomaa is seen in this photo provided by himself.
Opinion: When English menus in Japan hide important features
For many foreigners living in Japan, daily life feels manageable thanks to English options on websites, ATMs and ticket machines. But after a few months or years, a pattern often becomes noticeable: switching a system to English can make certain features disappear. Full story.
Police officers head toward the home of Yuki Adachi, who was found dead, in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, April 15, 2026. (Mainichi/Rintaro Nagasawa)
Police search Kyoto Prefecture home of boy found dead in mountains
NANTAN, Kyoto — Kyoto Prefectural Police on the morning of April 15 began searching the home of 11-year-old Yuki Adachi, who was recently found dead in a mountain forest here, on suspicion that someone abandoned the body there, sources close to the investigation revealed. Full story.
Ryo Sato, who works in human resources at Fancl Corp. while advising job-seeking students as a side job, is seen at Fancl’s headquarters in Yokohama on March 31, 2026. (Mainichi/Yuko Shimada)
Japan’s young workers turning to side jobs to build skills, not just income
TOKYO — Side jobs are becoming increasingly popular in Japan, especially among younger people. According to a survey conducted by a private research firm, both the number of people taking on side jobs and the number of companies allowing them have reached record highs. At the same time, the number of people engaging in side jobs for supplementary income has decreased, as individuals see them as opportunities for skill enhancement. Firms, meanwhile, see the policy of allowing side jobs as a way to retain employees and help them grow. Full story.
Emperor Naruhito, center, Empress Masako, left, and their daughter Princess Aiko enjoy a light moment together as the Emperor holds official mascots from the Milan Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Games, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency)
Japanese public broadly backs female emperor despite PM’s opposition: Mainichi poll
TOKYO — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has signaled her opposition to revising the Imperial House Law to allow for female emperors, citing a government expert panel report which emphasized that the line of Imperial succession up to Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino, “must not be disrupted.” So how do voters in Japan view the issue? Full story.
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