Man arrested for cutting electric wires for toilets at convenience stores in Tokyo

Thursday 17th April, 02:42 PM JST

TOKYO —

Police on Wednesday arrested a man for cutting electric wires for toilets at two convenience stores in Katsushika and Adachi Wards on March 5. According to police investigations, Hiromi Yamazaki, 32, was caught on film cutting the wires by security cameras at the two stores.

Yamazaki was quoted by police as saying, “I was stressed because I couldn’t find a job.”

Police said 13 similar cases have been reported so far and are investigating Yamazaki’s involvement in them.

Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

curlygene at 03:24 PM JST - 17th April

You know, it's the first thing that crosses MY mind when I'm feeling a little testy.
some14some at 03:47 PM JST - 17th April

I assume that "cutting elec wire" means Theft, to mention poverty is still taboo in Japan.
Fair dinkum! at 03:50 PM JST - 17th April

I'm confused! How could cutting electrical wires at toilets reduce stress? I suppose he could have done a lot worse things.
Patrick Smash at 04:36 PM JST - 17th April

Yeah, not a lot to go on in this case.
gaijintraveller at 05:55 PM JST - 17th April

Dare I say it sounds like a shocking thing to do.
Bogi at 08:41 PM JST - 17th April

People just get weirder and weirder.
blvtzpk at 09:32 PM JST - 17th April

Yamazaki was quoted by police as saying, “I was stressed because I couldn’t find a job.”

Ah, the 'stressed' excuse again - I'm keeping track of these. They're fun.
Farmboy at 09:34 PM JST - 17th April

There DOES seem to be a toilet motif in today's news...this must mean something...
romulus3 at 09:40 AM JST - 18th April

I guess he wanted to disable the washlet and electronic flusher to inconvenience the convenience stores. I guess it is a kind of stress reliever if you imagine the growing stench and disgruntled customers.
Hughgarse at 02:19 PM JST - 18th April

first thing I think about when I go to the kaizer..
VoXman at 07:38 PM JST - 18th April

Caught on Security camera? In the actual toilet area (Bengo?) Isn't that an intrusion into privacy, and a little peeping tomish? Same and the shoe cams the upskirts guys use?
GrouchyGaijin at 09:39 PM JST - 18th April

Feel bad. Must cut toilet electricity wires! Aah! 100V/AC not so bad! Maybe this guy had a depression that found relief by electroshock treatment, self administered! Crazier things have happened...........especially in Japan!
forcemeat at 11:28 PM JST - 18th April

It's spring time in Japan. :)
AdrianinDallas at 10:02 PM JST - 20th April

I don't get it. By "cutting wires" do they mean that the lights in the restroom no longer worked? That's about the only reason to HAVE electricity going to a water closet, isn't it? Or do you use electricity to flush the toilet, run the water and dispense paper towels? Other than the LIGHTS, what's the big problem with "cutting wires"? (Other than it's criminal and causes confusion in those who wonder about such things...)
cwhite at 12:08 AM JST - 21st April

very confusing... did he unscrew and open the wall socket to cut the wires? I guess he cut the wire for the washlet, but to actually have him on film cutting the actual wire??? I have to assume they filmed him exiting the toilet.