In the early 1990s, journalists Leo Sisti and Leonardo Coen interviewed Bishop Donato de Bonis about a financial scandal involving the Vatican Bank's president, Paul Marcinkus. Their book on the scandal saw major success. Decades later, the media landscape in Italy has evolved, with more coverage of Church scandals. Journalists Emiliano Fittipaldi and Gianluigi Nuzzi faced prosecution for their exposés on the Holy See's financial mismanagement but were not tried due to jurisdictional issues. The Vatican has since worked towards greater transparency and financial accountability. Investigations by reporters like Amalia De Simone and Giovanni Viafora have highlighted abusive practices and complex financial structures within the Church, leading to calls for change and transparency.

An investigation revealed a smuggling network involving China Tobacco International Europe Company (CTIEC) and organized crime groups, including Italy's Camorra. The network smuggled Chinese-made cigarettes into Europe, exploiting legal loopholes and engaging in illicit activities. CTIEC, a subsidiary of China National Tobacco Corporation, was found to be shipping large quantities of cigarettes to suspicious buyers in conflict zones and regions known for smuggling. The operation was linked to an executive at CTIEC, Adina Ionescu, who provided support to smugglers. The case highlights China Tobacco's expansion into new markets through smuggling, a strategy historically used by tobacco companies. Italian authorities, including the Guardia di Finanza, conducted raids and investigations, leading to arrests and exposing the involvement of various individuals and companies in the smuggling ring.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has suspended planned investments in Russia and halted marketing activities and the launch of Ploom X due to the sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, JTI, which is partially owned by Japan's Ministry of Finance, will continue to operate its factories in Russia. This decision contrasts with other corporations like McDonalds, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks, which have ceased operations in Russia. British American Tobacco initially announced partial measures but later decided to divest from Russia. The situation reflects the tension between profit pursuits in Russia and the pressure to comply with sanctions.

Tobacco companies, particularly Japan Tobacco International (JTI), are exploiting loopholes in the European menthol cigarette ban to continue selling products attractive to younger smokers. Despite the ban in May 2020, confusion over what constitutes a 'characterising menthol flavour' has led to a regulatory vacuum, allowing JTI to market its 'menthol reimagined' products. Competitors, including British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco, have expressed frustration and called for government investigations. The European Union and Public Health England are conducting ongoing investigations to determine compliance with the ban. The industry's efforts to circumvent the ban have raised concerns among health advocates about the potential impact on youth smoking rates.

A significant number of children in Japan are refusing to attend school, a situation referred to as 'futoko'. The increase in absenteeism has raised questions about whether the issue lies with the educational system or the students themselves. In 2018, over 164,000 children were absent for more than 30 days, not due to health or financial issues but other reasons. The phenomenon of 'futoko' has evolved over the decades, with attitudes shifting from considering it a mental illness to a neutral term. The rise in 'futoko' has led to the growth of 'free schools' that operate on principles of individuality and freedom, though they do not grant recognized diplomas. Long-term effects of absenteeism can be severe, including social withdrawal and increased suicide rates among students. The Japanese government has taken steps to address the issue, and educational experts like Ryo Uchida suggest that the rigid educational system and large class sizes contribute to the problem. Alternative schools like free schools offer a more relaxed environment, but the educational system itself remains a challenge.

In Japan, an increasing number of children are refusing to attend school, a phenomenon known as 'futoko.' As school absenteeism rises, questions arise whether it reflects issues with the educational system rather than the students themselves. The Ministry of Education defines 'futoko' as children who miss more than 30 days of school for non-health or financial reasons. The term has evolved from being considered a mental illness to a more neutral term. In 2018, absenteeism reached a record high with 164,528 children absent for 30 days or more. Free schools, an alternative to traditional education, have been gaining popularity, offering a less rigid environment without government-recognized qualifications. Family problems, personal issues, and bullying are cited as primary causes of absenteeism. The article also touches on the long-term consequences of school dropout, including the risk of social withdrawal and a high number of student suicides. Critics argue that the lack of recognition of student diversity in the Japanese educational system is a violation of human rights.

On February 5, 2004, Iranian and Japanese corporate executives and government officials celebrated a new business partnership in the South Pars gas field, the world's largest. Representatives from Iranian energy developer Petropars Ltd. and Japan's Toyo Engineering Corporation inaugurated the project in Assaluyeh, Iran. Petropars had awarded a consortium led by Toyo Engineering a $1.2 billion contract to implement three development phases of the gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar. The consortium was responsible for designing, constructing, and commissioning a natural gas processing plant.

Italian local investigative reporters like Franco Castaldo, Claudio Cordova, and Mattia Fonzi are courageously exposing mafia corruption and other forms of wrongdoing despite facing intimidation and legal threats. Castaldo's Grandangolo di Agrigento and Cordova's il Dispaccio di Reggio are examples of independent media outlets that have grown in readership and impact, providing in-depth coverage of organized crime and its evolution. Newstown, born from the aftermath of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, is another platform that has been shedding light on local reconstruction scandals. These journalists and their teams are changing the landscape of local investigative reporting in Italy, often without the support of the state but with increasing reader engagement.

Dino Maglio, a suspected serial rapist and Italian police officer, evaded investigation for over a year despite a rape complaint filed in England in 2013 by an American student. The complaint, which detailed how Maglio used Couchsurfing.com to drug and rape her, was not pursued due to bureaucratic issues and lack of EU law enforcement cooperation. Maglio was later convicted for raping a 16-year-old Australian and is believed to have drugged and abused over 15 other women during the period between the initial complaint and his arrest. The case underscores the challenges in international crime reporting and the need for improved coordination among law enforcement agencies.

Two women from Hong Kong are among the alleged victims of Dino Maglio, a former Italian police officer accused of drugging and sexually abusing at least 16 women he met through Couchsurfing. Maglio, who has been dismissed from the police force, is awaiting trial for the rape of a 16-year-old Australian girl. The Hong Kong women claim they were drugged with a dessert wine and lost consciousness while staying at Maglio's flat in Padua. The rise in independent travelers from Hong Kong to Europe is noted, with a significant increase reported by Expedia.com. Maglio's trial is scheduled for the following month, and Couchsurfing's CEO has emphasized the importance of safety on their platform.