Outbreak of violent crime unnerves Japan

Outbreak of violent crime unnerves Japan By HANS GREIMEL, Associated Press Writer 
Fri May 18, 2:41 PM ET
 


TOKYO - A mother beheaded by her son. A baby who suffocated after being stuffed by his parents in the baggage compartment of a motorbike while they went gambling. A murderous shooting spree during a hostage standoff. 


 
An outbreak of violent crime this week has triggered soul-searching and outrage in Japan, a country that has long prided itself on its safe streets and tight communal bonds.

The "appalling destruction" of traditional values — as one lawmaker put it — climaxed Friday, when a former gangster killed a policeman and wounded his son and daughter during a shooting rampage at his home, where he had held his ex-wife hostage for 24 hours. It was the first time an on-duty policeman was shot to death since 2001.

The standoff capped a week of mayhem and mistreatment.

On Tuesday, a teenager strolled into a police station with his mother's severed head in a bag. On Thursday, a couple was arrested after their 1-year-old son's body was found wrapped in a plastic bag and dumped in a gutter. The baby died after his parents allegedly left him in the baggage hold of a motorbike while they gambled at a pachinko pinball parlor.

The same day, a 3-year-old child was abandoned by his father at an anonymous drop box meant for unwanted infants.

"We are witnessing the deterioration of Japanese society," ruling party politician Tsuneo Suzuki told parliament Thursday. "We must stem this appalling destruction of family and community morals."

While Japan is still a relatively safe country by international standards, crime is on the rise as the country grapples with a widening gap between rich and poor and other social ills.

A tide of corporate layoffs amid widespread restructuring, the fragmentation of extended families and a creeping sense of urban alienation all contribute to the erosion of mores, experts say.

Japan, a country of 127 million people, had just 1,391 homicides in 2005, compared with 16,692 in the United States. But overall crime jumped to 2.27 million cases that year, from 1.81 million in 1996, and violent offenses nearly doubled to 73,772 cases, according to the National Police Agency.

"Anxiety is mounting in Japan about the increase of high-profile crimes. Due to rapid globalization, the traditional rules and social order are changing dramatically," said Jun Ayukawa, an expert on criminal psychology at Japan's Kwansei Gakuin University.

"While families used to act as brakes, there is an increase in crimes where people feel lost in despair and no longer care what happens to their families," he said.

Indeed, fractured families have figured prominently in this week's grisly headlines.

Motoki Tamiya and his wife, Mika, both 21, were arrested Thursday after DNA tests of the dead 1-year-old linked the boy to his mother. The baby's body was found last month on a remote road in the mountains of western Japan.

On Tuesday, Japan's only anonymous drop box for unwanted infants triggered a wave of anger after it was discovered that a 3-year-old preschooler — and not a newborn — was left by his father on the service's first day.

The drop-off, known as "Stork's Cradle," was begun by a Roman Catholic-run hospital in southern Japan to stem a wave of abandonments of newborns in unsafe public places.

The same day, there were more shocking headlines. A teenage boy carrying a severed head walked into a Japanese police station saying he killed his mother — the latest in a series of dismemberments.

News reports said the 17-year-old suspect hacked off his mother's head as she slept, then went to an Internet cafe to watch music videos — with the head — before turning himself into police in the morning. 

In January, Tokyo was on edge after a woman confessed to cutting up her husband with a saw and dumping the body parts around the capital. 

The recent surge in high-profile violent crime has spurred debate over tougher gun control rules, calls for strengthening the moral fiber of younger generations at the nation's schools as well as recriminations about the state of modern parenting. 

Calls for more stringent gun control intensified last month when the Nagasaki mayor was shot and killed by an organized crime boss. Days later, police stormed an apartment and seized another gangster who allegedly gunned down a rival outside a Tokyo convenience store and had barricaded himself inside. 

The use of guns is still relatively alien to the Japanese public. Handguns are strictly banned, and only police officers and other professionals, such as shooting instructors, are permitted to own them. 

Friday's standoff ended when the gunman, Hisato Obayashi, 50, surrendered to police 24 hours after taking his ex-wife captive. The woman, identified as Michiko Mori, escaped from a bathroom window during the siege. 

The violence erupted Thursday outside the central city of Nagoya when the suspect shot his adult son and daughter and killed a policeman trying to rescue a wounded comrade. News reports said Obayashi was a former mobster affiliated with Japan's largest crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi. 

___ 

Associated Press Writer Kana Inagaki contributed to this report.

[B]At Least 12 Dead In Latest Iraq Violence[/B]

May 18, 2007 -- Iraqi police say a suicide car bomber today killed three police officers south of the capital.

In a separate incident today in the city of Ba'qubah, north of Baghdad, insurgents reportedly attacked a coalition base, sparking a battle that left at least six militants dead.

Also today, the U.S. military said three of its soldiers were killed on May 17 when their patrol struck a roadside bomb in the town of Al-Mussayyib, south of Baghdad.

Meanwhile, massive search is continuing for three missing U.S. soldiers believed to have been abducted by insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda. 

Japan's news is boring and really shows how sheltered their society is.  The above happened in a 24hr period.  That's like months of crime in "Violent" Japan.  But the real bad thing is look at how many motor vehicle deaths in Japan (which is still only half of what the US has) and compare it to the real problem in Japan...Suicides.  The number of suicides is more than three times the number from car accidents.  I remember a few times wondering why the train was 5 minutes late (that's a lot over there) only to find out that some girl jumped in front of a Shinkansen.

I posted it to show the changes in their society....and to show how much things are different here and other places like youve brought up. 

Im not a fan of many things outside of cars when it comes to Japan...but I do find their low violence / Crime rate amazing. Even if their suicide rate rivals the NW 

If you want to start another thread in regards to bombings in Iraq or missing soldiers...feel free :)

[QUOTE=DriftGirl;60864]I posted it to show the changes in their society....and to show how much things are different here and other places like youve brought up. 

Im not a fan of many things outside of cars when it comes to Japan...but I do find their low violence / Crime rate amazing. Even if their suicide rate rivals the NW 

If you want to start another thread in regards to bombings in Iraq or missing soldiers...feel free :)[/QUOTE]
Oh, no. I was just showing it in relation to Japan, which furthers what you're saying.

Outbreak my butt everyday someone is offing someone.  You only get a little of the news over there JAPAN is full of violent crime.  BElive me I cause half of it

im assuming fist fights n stuff? 

Much better than the cowards here that would rather shoot someone than go 'head up' ;)

[QUOTE=DriftGirl]Im not a fan of many things outside of cars when it comes to Japan...[/QUOTE]

I use to think the same way when I 1st came to Japan. NOW look many many yrs later theres MANY things I WUV about it.

Just an example paying for what I buy at the local 7/11 I use my cell phone. I dont have to look for change or worry about getting change back. I can use it to get a can of HOT coffee out of the vending machine also paying w/ my cell phone. I dont realize how good i have it till I go on vacation and MISS IT.

Crime of some sort is alwasy on the news its NOT something folks worry about until it hits near home.

The Title of the news story is not something they would say in the Japanese news paper. The poor little kid left in the compartment of the motor bike thats :sad:

[QUOTE=DXJP]You only get a little of the news over there JAPAN is full of violent crime.  BElive me I cause half of it[/QUOTE]


ha ha

If that was true you would be banned / kicked out of japan or you would be asking us to send you food to the jail. :p 

I know a couple of them that went to jail. It was easier to kick them out then pay to keep them LOCKED UP. In another country they would have been jailed for a few yrs or more. I think the worst part for those 2 was being kicked out cause they had wifes and kids and lived in Japan for over 10 yrs.

[QUOTE={-.-};61213]ha ha

If that was true you would be banned / kicked out of japan or you would be asking us to send you food to the jail. :p 

I know a couple of them that went to jail. It was easier to kick them out then pay to keep them LOCKED UP. In another country they would have been jailed for a few yrs or more. I think the worst part for those 2 was being kicked out cause they had wifes and kids and lived in Japan for over 10 yrs.[/QUOTE]


I spent 10 days in Jap jail for beating down some punks yaks.  Yeah 4 or them they were real tough till the swinging then one went for the cops.  Also I have citisenship so they wont kick me out. AND NO you do your time before they kick you out as well as any restitution. I ll also let you know jap jails are summer vacation compared to some of the places I have been.  And the cops are just as crooked as the bad guys

Now on to the crime.  Did any of you hear about the guy that walked into the kindergarden and killed 8 kids and wounded I think 3 more.  How about the everyday rape, robery, and murder.  How about the kids left in parked cars at the pachinko parlors.  This happens everyday.  NOne of you have a clue what goes on there beyond cars.

My kids have to walk in groups with parents to and from school.  Kid snatching is real popular.  How about the guys that call the house wives and tell them they are cops or lawyers and that their husband has been arrested for grouping.  These guys are so bold they will even use a meeting room in the police station to extort money out of the unsuspecting wives.

If you wanna see how safe japan is just check out 

[url]www.japantoday.com[/url]

Here is the top headlines for today


4 teens cut off girl's fingertip in Mie
Man arrested for riding on 'mikoshi'
Skeletal remains identified
Boy sang karaoke after killing mom
Kabuki actor faces penalty tax
Residents pay tribute to slain officer
Man killed trying to stop stolen truck
Kobe serial killer writes apology
Aichi 


You will see how safe it is.  Im sitting in saudi and feel safer

I feel Safe in Japan all this stuff doesnt bother me.  I dont worry about car jackings, getting my car stolen. Car alarms are not on every other car. I think the most trouble i have is w/ the yakuza wannabies cause im NOT Japanese. 

If i go out drinking its not a Japanese who wants to pick a fight its normally a drunk service memeber or contractor that works here.

[B][I]NO you do your time before they kick you out as well as any restitution[/I][/B] Thats true if your NOT protect by sofa status. 

Some kids have GPS tags on the school back packs and Most have alarms they can set off. 1 kid got in trouble for playing hooky from school when the parents GPS / tracked him down to a video arcade. Cool - (suteki) 

I dont live in an area where the kids are escorted to school. The teachers are out in the morning and after school. Diffrent locations monitering the kids along the normal walking routes ONLY when they hear of trouble that might happen.

Oddly enough both New York and Los Angeles are capable of producing more crime in a given day than the whole country of Japan can in one day hahahahaahahha no but seriously this just proves that we need to allow more and more kool-aid cults to form and let them off themselves.... believe me it would diminish the amount of ignorance in our world. hahahahaahah

[quote=SikNLow;61479]Oddly enough both New York and Los Angeles are capable of producing more crime in a given day than the whole country of Japan can in one day hahahahaahahha no but seriously this just proves that we need to allow more and more kool-aid cults to form and let them off themselves.... believe me it would diminish the amount of ignorance in our world. hahahahaahah[/quote]

that's real mature. so you are saying that people should just kill themselves for what. because they aren't "normal" like society? i don't get it.

[QUOTE=Caoboy;61553]that's real mature. so you are saying that people should just kill themselves for what. because they aren't "normal" like society? i don't get it.[/QUOTE]

[SARCASM]
[QUOTE=SikNLow]
but seriously this just proves that we need to allow more and more kool-aid cults to form and let them off themselves.... believe me it would diminish the amount of ignorance in our world. hahahahaahah[/QUOTE][/SARCASM]
Haha, he's not being serious.  Was it really not that obvious?

[QUOTE=elpresidente;61593][SARCASM]
[/SARCASM]
Haha, he's not being serious.  Was it really not that obvious?[/QUOTE]

[kidding]hey? you picked up on that subtle sarcasm?.......... hahahahahahahaha yes i was kidding, and just to answer the people killing themselves for not being normal part.... that's called suicide and I have no bearing on what freaks do.... that's more of the same sarcasm [/kidding]

[QUOTE={-.-};61450]I feel Safe in Japan all this stuff doesnt bother me.  I dont worry about car jackings, getting my car stolen. Car alarms are not on every other car. I think the most trouble i have is w/ the yakuza wannabies cause im NOT Japanese. 

If i go out drinking its not a Japanese who wants to pick a fight its normally a drunk service memeber or contractor that works here.

[B][I]NO you do your time before they kick you out as well as any restitution[/I][/B] Thats true if your NOT protect by sofa status. 

Some kids have GPS tags on the school back packs and Most have alarms they can set off. 1 kid got in trouble for playing hooky from school when the parents GPS / tracked him down to a video arcade. Cool - (suteki) 

I dont live in an area where the kids are escorted to school. The teachers are out in the morning and after school. Diffrent locations monitering the kids along the normal walking routes ONLY when they hear of trouble that might happen.[/QUOTE]


Do you live on the BASE, Do you have a BASE JOB.  OF corse you will feel safe in that area.  Sitting on a US base or in the vicinity will always be over protected.  As for GPS most kids get them from school or their parents get them the cell phones with them built in.  In any area at any time a freek can flip out on anyone and the majority of the population will just stand there and watch.

They just caught some guy for like his 5th train rape.  And not trying to hide it he would just drag some chick to the bathroom on the train kicking and screeming while everyone else looked away.

Sorry but untill you pay taxes, Pay up to the Yak to keep your buisness from burning down, and attend a few PTA's you have no clue how F'ed up Japan really is.

Here is todays headlines.  This place is as big as montana how the hell, and this is only whats been reported by the news who knows whet else been going on.

Crime
Woman stabbed to death
2 girls arrested for abandoning baby
Man gets life for 2 murders
Woman in wheelchair hit by truck
Doctor charged with murder
Men gets death for burying 2 alive
Newborn baby found in garbage bag
Bank worker held for sex assault
Man gets death penalty, 2 life
Japan urged to reform prison system

the public raping thing is disturbing. I've seen news clips of that and had to shut them off. It was disgusting that the people on the train just look away while it happens. I've seen the guys the try and rub up on the schoolgirls and I've cockblocked them a few times by staring them down. one got so uncomfortable, he got off the train and sat on the bench, prolly to wait for the next one. 

But the U.S. problems are just as riduculous, just on a bigger scale.  I wonder if the Internet has had an effect on Japanese society. It's become much more prominent over the last few years there. I mean, the internet screws up a lot of people here.

[QUOTE=DXJP]Do you live on the BASE, Do you have a BASE JOB.  OF corse you will feel safe in that area.  Sitting on a US base or in the vicinity will always be over protected.[/QUOTE]

I havent lived on the base since 1997........  NOT sure why you think we are more proctected cause I live near a base 20 minutes away. 

I guess cause the Military has a Satellite camera beamed at my house and if something is not right cops swarm it. I feel so protected.

I havent lived on the base since 1997........ NOT sure why you think we are more proctected cause I live near a base 20 minutes away. 

I guess it would be the koban on every corner usually to protect the japanese citisens from the millitay deviants.

We all dont live in the city........ all I got near my house is trees lots of them and farms.