Student sent to prosecutors for fatally stabbing classmate at train station

Sunday 05th July, 12:54 PM JST

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Den Den at 01:14 PM JST - 5th July

I feel it is violent games and manga that are responsible for such incidents. The readers are so familiar with such actions in the unreal world, that their moral beliefs are distorted and the react naturally, like in this case. Condolences to the families.
Triumvere at 01:16 PM JST - 5th July

Uh, a little early to be tarring the victim as a "bully". For all we know the killer is just a nutcase.
BBLeo at 01:47 PM JST - 5th July

Charge him as an adult and put him behind the bars with other criminals.
seesaw at 02:07 PM JST - 5th July

In this country, it seems revenge means either killing or ousting the other party from your life. There's no compromise. What a sad way to live.
pawatan at 02:18 PM JST - 5th July

I feel it is violent games and manga that are responsible for such incidents.

Well, that's a knee-jerk reaction. Was the world such a lovely peaceful place before there were video games and manga? I think not.

I've been to Sakurai station plenty of times. I can't imagine such a violent crime in such a calm town.
PepinGalarga at 03:01 PM JST - 5th July

who knows, maybe the killer was the bully.
GAYMAN at 03:36 PM JST - 5th July

i wonder where he learnt to deal with his problems in such an infantile manner. it couldn't have been his father or the society around him.
goodDonkey at 05:16 PM JST - 5th July

boboh said:

when this is a prime example of a society of dysfunctional youth in a country in decline with no ideas as to how to turn it around

It can only be a "prime example" if statistically it reflects a norm that would not hold true in other countries, since you use Japan as a country in example. But nice attempt to preempt criticism of your comment by stating it is prattle to use sheer logic to defeat your notions. Of course we have to use other countries; you put Japan up as an example. But I don't need to single out any countries. I can simple offer that Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Of course it has all been said before. But the articles I have seen on violence in Japan represent anomalies that is why it is news. In statistics they would be called outliers. Japan's homicide rate is .64 per 100,000. That is outstanding. The only countries that can compare with that rate are on the bottom of the homicide list; just like Japan.

Moderator: Other countries' crime rates are not relevant to this discussion.
boboh at 05:37 PM JST - 5th July

goodDonkey, mate, where in my last post did i use the words "crime rate" or "homicide"? I mentioned bullying. OK, you want stats. As titian earlier pointed out 80% of elementary and junior high kids experience bullying (both sides of bullying). This report was reported on Japan Today very recently. Is 80% a norm in your books? Pretty close in mine.
goodDonkey at 06:30 PM JST - 5th July

bobah

Your post seems to be gone so I can't reference it. I can't stand bullying. I would like to see comparisons of bullying in Japan to other countries by a single source. However I do not live in Japan. I don't know the facts. You may be right if you are saying bullying happens more in Japan. It appeared to me as I recalled that you were forecasting gloom and doom for Japan's youth. I just don't believe that Japan's youth are anything but normal with particulars to Japan; as every country has its particulars. I do think that Japan's suicide rate is probably high. I find this disturbing and a couple of years back I suggested that I thought Japan should give this high priority with a commission to find solutions and implement them. I happen to feel Japan is one of the great nations; but I like every nation almost and certainly feel the people in every nation are not all that different from me. I don't favor the Japanese or Asians but rather place them on equal footing with others. I do admire their low crime rate.

I wish your comment was still available because I do recall you making some rather strong statements concerning the future of Japan.

I believe this article is tragic. I find it appalling that people should solve their differences by violence let alone stabbing someone to death. But I refuse to infer that the youth of Japan are any less of the great hope of the future than anywhere else.
YagiYamoto at 06:46 PM JST - 5th July

There is a lot more to this case than we know at the moment. A shock for all that have lived and worked in Sakurai.
bigwave at 07:52 PM JST - 5th July

goodDonkey, You take for granted that the Japanese stats on crime are truthful and correct, when it well known that such stats are twisted and many incidences go either unreported, un-investigated or both.

Quick example. A body is found in front of a high rise building and shoes are found on a higher level floor above it; Police determine it a suicide with no investigation. (Have a friend who is a J-cop who told me that is standard procedure.)

This incident in Nara is tragic, but ones like it are more common than you think and getting harder to hide.
Eddisofbextar at 08:34 AM JST - 6th July

goodDonkey at 05:16 PM JST - 5th July

I can simple offer that Japan has one of the lowest REPORTED crime rates >in the world.

Fixed. goodDonkey> Please open eyes to see truth =)

Regardless of the situation, the loss of life - especially at such a young age is very unfortunate.
Eddisofbextar at 08:50 AM JST - 6th July

I indicated sorrow for the loss of a young life, as well as pointing out that Japan has a very low crime rate - based on reported crimes, which incidentally Japan is also likely to have the highest unreported crime rate among the G8.

Moderator: Comparisons with the crime rates of other countries are not relevant to this discussion.
realist at 01:59 PM JST - 6th July

Another example of the decline of modern Japan. Its a sick society, folks, and there are all kinds of nutters like this one, out there in J land. Watch your back. You never know the minute they will stab you or push you in front of a train. Japan is no longer a "safe"country. That went a long time ago - along with the politeness.