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  kinniku at 10:51 AM JST - 11th June

  cleo,

  Let me see if I can clarify what I wrote. Even though we are humans and we generally try to act logically and justly, there are times when upon seeing or hearing something we react with our natural (and often illogical) emotions. We put ourselves in the positions of the victims and their families and feel a sudden pain in our hearts that makes us desire retribution. Look at very small children, when one is hit, they often hit right back. Of course, we know this is not correct in a civilized society and that we should not expect police to actually act like vigilantes dispencing 'justice' at will. However, it sometimes relieves the stress and shock for some people to say the suspect should be dead, too.

  Personally, I did not feel this reaction. I was just happy it was over and no further deaths occurred. However, human nature being human nature, I can understand angry at the suspect being directed through words of violence. That is as long as these words are never followed by actual physical violence.

  I saw the family on TV this morning and although I have no sympathy for the suspect (regardless of his reported sorrow and tears) I do feel for his family and the emotional and social burden they have to face.

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  westurn at 12:04 PM JST - 11th June

  Yer reaching Cleo... "a simple and extremely common mistranslation."

  If its "so common" why does it continue ? And if it's "so common" why should any of us believe anything posted here at Japantoday ? Are you suggesting that JT needs to "up" the quality of their reporting ? Rather bold statement, aren't you afraid of biting the hand that feeds you ?

  Kinniku...

  "I do feel for his family and the emotional and social burden they have to face."

  Do you not feel for Tomohiro Kato as well ? He has said again and again that his parents treated him as "nobody", as if he werent even there. Now really, what kind of "parents" would act so horribly towards their own child. Sadly to say, my experience here indicates that this is the norm. A part of Japanese culture that is in dire need of extermination. Japanese parents show no love towards their children. They are only there to take tests and go to work for some big J Inc. company. There is no emotional support, no hugs, no kisses, only condemnation and focus on failure. It is so sad and the consequences... well 7 dead, 10 injured !

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  cleo at 12:19 PM JST - 11th June

  If its "so common" why does it continue ?

  I'm sure you can enjoy yourself answering that yourself on the appropriate thread, the next time JT throws up the topic of the dire state of English education in Japan.

  Are you suggesting that JT needs to "up" the quality of their reporting ?

  As far as I know JT doesn't do any reporting, they just recycle stuff from Kyodo et al. It has been suggested by others in the past that maybe Kyodo could up the level of their translations. But in any case, the quote in question came from Yomiuri Online, not from JT.

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  westurn at 12:21 PM JST - 11th June

  "JT doesn't do any reporting, they just recycle stuff"

  Which abolishes them of all content responsibility ? I think not ! "Gee officer I just sell the stuff, I didn't know it was poison" ! Sheesh !

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  kinniku at 12:24 PM JST - 11th June

  westurn,

  Oh course, I do feel bad that he had a hard time. However, there are people all over Japan and all over this world who have it hard and manage to find some way to overcome. Ultimately, it is the choice of the individual how they use the life they have been given. We can see people every day who deal with barriers both emotional and physical and do not resort to taking out their hard times on others.

  By the way, although it certainly possible the parents made mistakes, it is also possible that the suspect's mental instability caused him to see his relationships with others in ways that were far from the actual reality. This includes his ideas about what others thought about him.

  However, more than him and his family, etc, I feel for the victims who had nothing at all to do with his misery and yet had to suffer for it.

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  cleo at 12:28 PM JST - 11th June

  westurn -

  The quote you're getting all hot about was from Yomiuri, not JT.

  Remember, the newspaper you were waxing all lyrical about yesterday? Telling us how good their reporting was?

  Maybe you need to change your newspaper.

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  westurn at 12:36 PM JST - 11th June

  "However, there are people all over Japan and all over this world who have it hard and manage to find some way to overcome."

  Many in Japan though are resulting to violence like murder, assault, and suicide. These are actions against a society they feel has wronged them.

  I too feel for the innocent victims. But I place blame on the "straight-jacket" society Japan has created and refuses to change... even though the world around them demands more. The Japanese are no longer an isolated nation. They see how others live. Many wish to emulate this but simply cant... they are thus stuck in a society so rigid that it eventually smothers them. Again, Tomohiro Kato is only one of thousands of powderkegs out there. All products of a Japanese society that not only refuses to bend but has become more stringent over the years. When the economy collapsed they were told to "work harder" ! When change didn't occur they were told to "gamman" ! Now that the future is awash with pension, old age, unemployment, and further economic hardships, well... this is the results. The mayhem you saw in Akihabara is not over. I'm sure right now plotters and evil doers are busy schemeing away. Whats it gonna be ? Gas on the train line ? Arson ? Bombs ? With Japans high population density the possibilities for devastation are staggering. And for what ? A lack of love ! I think Japan can do better !

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  westurn at 01:12 PM JST - 11th June

  Cleo: "Maybe you need to change your newspaper."

  Or maybe you need to drop the simplistic "mistranslation" angle, these are paid professionals are they not ?

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  kinniku at 01:36 PM JST - 11th June

  westurn,

  We each have our opinions, of course. I have to disagree with your assessment of the present situation in Japan, however. As far as why more crimes are being committed now, I think there are many reasons. One of the biggest factors is not social as much as economic. Bad economy/bad prospects=higher crime rate, at least in developing nations. You mention the 'straight-jacket' society. However, I wonder how you have come to the conclusion that this suspect was driven to this because of Japanese society. Contrary to your description of things becoming more stringent over the years, I see quite the opposite. Parents are less likely to disipline their children (vocally or otherwise) than they were 20 years ago. Teachers and schools disipline much less than they did years ago. So many children in this country hardly ever hear the word 'no' that when they finally do, they cannot take the 'criticism'.

  As far as Japanese people being told to 'work harder' or to 'persevere'. I don't believe there is this universal societal voice telling them this. Quite the opposite actually, in recent years more and more young people are choosing not to work for companies and to be 'freelancers' as it were. In addition, more and more Japanese company workers are expecting more and more benefits and perks for their time.

  I do agree 100% when you write that Japan can do better. One of the areas where there could be improvement is the area of communication. Children need to be taught and encouraged to express themselves on a daily basis, both at home and in the classroom. They also need to learn how to take criticism of their opinions in stride. If the suspect had been able to express his frustrations to people around him instead of on the internet, this might never have happened.

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  cleo at 01:37 PM JST - 11th June

  these are paid professionals are they not ?

  And that makes them infallible? OK. Remember the police, who you love to pick holes in, are also paid professionals. If the paid professional judges it right not to shoot a wimpy (finally) unarmed loser in the street, who are you to naysay his actions?

  Goose, sauce. Gander, ditto.

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  westurn at 05:08 PM JST - 11th June

  kinniku... if I may:

  "You mention the 'straight-jacket' society. However, I wonder how you have come to the conclusion that this suspect was driven to this because of Japanese society."

  Kato was a slave to his job. He made 1,300 yen an hour but managed to bring home a reported 300,000 a month. Doing the math would indicate a person working, or being at work, the typical Japanese 12-14 hour day. Throw in transport back and forth to work and there ya go... a slave to corporate Japan. Being a part-timer made the noose tighter, no benefits, no rights, no voice, just a common worker ant with no way out !

  Kato also talked about his education. How he worked and worked, followed the rules slaved away... only to be rejected.

  He talked of uglyness. One of Japans worst societal ills... its obsessive attitudes towards appearance. Of course not much Kato could do about that, but the straight-jacket was tightening and tightening.

  "Parents are less likely to disipline their children (vocally or otherwise) than they were 20 years ago."

  Boy you woulda thought different had you been with me today. I watched one parent after another nagging away at their 4-6 year old children at the fitness club I go to. These kyoiku mamas were all over the poor darlings for doing "dara-dara" and not gambatting enough. Made me absolutely sick to have to listen to... good god their little kids ! Buncha bitchy witches... I better leave it at that, but it really got my blood boiling ! Nothing but 100% mental abuse ! And that Kinniku is not discipline !

  "As far as Japanese people being told to 'work harder' or to 'persevere'. I don't believe there is this universal societal voice telling them this."

  This was analogy taken from the time right after the bubble burst. For many older... 30+ers this was and still is the norm. As for your observations on the young ... I totally agree, buncha lazy oafs with no work ethic ! Just the three K's "ketais-Komics-karaoke" ! This lost generation, as described by Time and Newsweek, is at the heart of Japan's pessimistic future. These individuals have ushered in a variety of new vocabulary, none of which to be proud of... parasite singles, neets, freetas, hikikomori etc.

  Cleo...

  "And that makes them infallible?"

  No just damn lazy if the do, as you stated, continue to mistake "a simple and extremely common mistranslation." !!! Which is it Cleo, get yer story straight now, I'm getting bored !

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  kinniku at 07:44 PM JST - 11th June

  westurn,

  Seriously, thank you for your detailed and heart-felt response. I understand what you have written. However, reading what you have written without knowing you were referring to Japan, I could imagine you were writing about many first world countries today. For example, the switch to hourly wage, part-time employment from standard company positions with benefits is a problem many countries have now. This is an economic dilemna. I think that is why we find so many happier people in less developed countries.

  As far as, his feelings of ugliness and rejection, I doubt he is unique in the world in this as well. However, his reaction to his feelings is still, fortunately, rare. The problem is not that he felt ugly or that he felt rejected. It is that he was not equipped to deal with his feelings and to seek help when he needed it.

  As far as the 'kyoiku mamas' you witnessed. I can speak to them, as I don't know them. I do know there is a general downturn in the behaviour of young people and what is expected of them. Parents have become their children's friends instead of their parents. Sure, there are crazy parents who push their kids (everywhere around the world), but things have gone downhill here as far as how children are expected to act and how adults react to their actions.

  We do agree though that Japan needs to wake up to the needs of its young people. It needs to talk to them and it needs to hear from them as well.

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  Raymasaki at 12:13 PM JST - 12th June

  Zannen desu ne of course a GUN helped (the POLICE ) it wouldnt have been good if the guy had a Gun. its Good that Japan has the NO guns law. Remember the JP police do have guns for emergency only.

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  amerijap at 06:44 AM JST - 13th June

  Jesus Christ!!

  The snapshot of cell-phone display really makes me nauseous.

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  Sarge at 06:54 AM JST - 13th June

  amerijap - I know! Incredible, isn't it! The utter callousness...

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