Our 5 most read stories from Dec. 23 to 31, 2023

We’ve listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between Dec. 23 and 31. The first story was viewed by 21% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)

Japan dept. store operator apologizes for delivering damaged Christmas cakes

TOKYO — Major department store operator Takashimaya Co. announced on Dec. 24 that some of the Christmas cakes it sold online were delivered damaged to customers. Full story.

Man test driving Jaguar accused of fatally hitting woman, daughter in Tokyo

TOKYO — A 50-year-old man is accused of fatally hitting a woman and her daughter while test driving a Jaguar luxury passenger vehicle in the Japanese capital’s Suginami Ward on Dec. 26.

Caution urged for year-end, New Year holidays as pickpocket reports rise in Tokyo

TOKYO — Police here are urging caution amid a rise in pickpocketing in the Japanese capital ahead of the year-end and New Year holidays, when more people go out. Full story.

Int’l students to be limited to shortest sections in Japan nat’l high school relay race

OSAKA — The national high school “ekiden” relay race in Japan will allow foreign students to run only the shortest sections for both boys’ and girls’ races starting in 2024, the event’s organizing committee announced on Dec. 24. Full story.

‘I want to kiss you’: Sexual harassment of female entrepreneurs rife in Japan

TOKYO — It was three years ago that a female business owner in Japan was suddenly hit with a proposition from a male employee of one of her business partners. Full story.