From sushi pranks to a teacher injury incident: Our 5 most-read stories from last week

1. A prankster involved in nuisance acts at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant chain in Japan received a suspended prison sentence after being convicted of obstruction of business. The incident, which garnered significant attention, occurred in Saitama and highlighted the severe consequences of reckless online attempts to gain notoriety.

2. In Tokushima Prefecture, a male teacher at a public junior high school experienced a serious injury when a student assaulted him during class. The incident, which took place in early October, revealed the potential dangers of such confrontations in educational settings.

3. Two individuals with foreign roots have launched a new political group in Japan, aiming to field candidates in next year's nationwide unified local elections. The group seeks to promote a philosophy of "co-creation" and is focused on engaging with the country's political landscape.

4. A municipal elementary school in Nagoya held its first meeting with parents following the decision to abolish annual class photos. The meeting, which took place on the night of October 19, revealed that the school had taken a replacement group photo only of children who had expressed a desire to participate.

5. Japan has made erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs more easily accessible to men by allowing them to purchase an over-the-counter medication. The move, which began in late August, has provided men with an alternative to seeking medical care for their sexual health concerns. However, precautions are necessary to ensure the safe and responsible use of this ED medication.