We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between Dec. 14 and 22. The first story was viewed by 17% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)

Japan rapper confined for 302 days over bogus robbery accusation raps interrogation

TOKYO -- Cases of bogus charges and false confessions seemed like a problem that was worlds away. Full story.

ChatGPT preferred over in-person lessons as language learning method among young Japanese

TOKYO -- More people in Japan are studying languages with ChatGPT, and among the younger generation, this study method has surpassed face-to-face lessons, a survey by a leading language learning app maker has found. Full story.

Locals recall strange behavior of man arrested over stabbings at McDonald's in Fukuoka Pref.

KITAKYUSHU -- After the arrest of a 43-year-old local man over the Dec. 14 stabbing of two young students in this southwest Japan city that left a girl dead, early reports from police and neighbors are starting to detail the apparent personal history of the suspect. Full story.

More than 13,000 people in Japan cancel health insurance links to 'My Number' ID

TOKYO -- The Japanese health ministry announced on Dec. 19 that there were 13,147 applications to cancel registrations for the use of the My Number health insurance card between late October, when the government began accepting cancellation applications, and the end of November. Full story.

People across Japan gather to protest misogyny after writer's 'uterus removal' remark

TOKYO -- People staged gatherings across Japan on Dec. 13 to decry discrimination against women in the wake of a writer's reference to removing the uteruses of women over 30 and an increasing number of misogynistic posts online. Full story.