- A Japanese law from 1889, initially enacted to ban duels, is still in effect and enforced.
- A 26-year-old man, Fugetsu Asari, was arrested for violating this law after engaging in a fight with another man in Tokyo.
- Asari now faces manslaughter charges as his dueling opponent died from injuries sustained during the fight, potentially leading to a combined prison sentence.

A: Hey! Did you hear about this crazy news story?

B: No, what happened? Something exciting?

A: It's kind of unbelievable! Apparently, someone got arrested for breaking an *old* law!

B: Seriously? What kind of law? Is it about samurai or something?

A: Exactly! It’s a law from way back, from when Japan was getting rid of the samurai system. It's called the "Act Concerning the Criminality of Dueling"!

B: A dueling law? Wow, you'd think that wouldn't be a thing anymore.

A: You’d think so too! But this guy, Fugetsu Asari, he actually had a duel in Tokyo!

B: A duel? Like, with swords?

A: Not exactly! The law says a “duel” is just when two people agree to fight. It doesn’t have to be with swords. They were just… punching each other.

B: Wow! So, what happened?

A: They fought in this crazy area of Tokyo called Kabukicho. The other guy, Naoya Masuda, got hurt pretty badly.

B: Oh no! Is he okay?

A: Sadly, he died from his injuries. Now, this Fugetsu guy is being charged with manslaughter *and* breaking the old dueling law.

B: That’s a lot of trouble! Is this a common thing?

A: Not really, but it happened a couple of times last year too! One was with a high school student, and another was between two women from rival gangs.

B: Crazy! So, what’s the punishment?

A: The dueling law can get you up to five years in prison! Plus, he's facing manslaughter charges too. It's wild to think they can arrest people for just challenging someone to a fight!

B: That's definitely a reminder to be careful in Kabukicho!