CRIME
Hawker's family in Japan to appeal for help in hunt for killer

Nothing is impossible. I think its unlikely because its just too obvious, even the keystones would have caught him by now if they were sheltering him. But that's just my opinion.

But I still think there is not much more the cops can say in this case, as stated in the article several hundred leads have been pursued many people have been questioned. I can't remember many cases where there was a regular police update. Should this case get more press because it involved an English girl? Where is all the outrage over the hostess that got killed last week?

Whatever, I hope they can find this guy soon, get the family some justice and closure.

 

...dogged persistence and asking questions 1000 times, looking for that little inconsistency to prove someone is lying or someone knows more than they should. The cops need to ride the parents and his friends (if he had any) hard. TBJ (This Being Japan), we know that the parents' status as doctors has sheltered them from the police at least to a certain extent, giving them more time to rehearse their answers and make sure everyone gets it straight. The keystones messed it up the first time and my guess is they aren't doing too much to redeem themselves. Contrary to what others believe, Japan is not 'no worse' than countries with real justice systems on this one. Japan is much worse.

 

Guess patthat and others see how lame your defense of Japan is once again, so I don't really need to respond.
As usual, all you did was shift your argument to try to say, in effect, "so what?" or "why care?"
But, what you don't get is that by defending Japan in such a way, you only make them look worse.
For example, even if Ishihasi won't see or respond to a plea from his parents, why shouldn't they do it anyway? It is the morally right thing to do. But by saying they needn't bother, because it probably wouldn't have any effect, you are rationalizing Japan's constant refusal to do what is right when faced with moral dilemnas, and simply do what is most expedient.
If you admire that, fine. But, I don't. And as patthat says, I have every right to say so, since I pay a lot of taxes here.
Regarding this case, specifically, I want to ask you which "fact" that the J-cops have stated do you believe. Do you believe they have actually assigned 150 officers to this case, as they said? Or, do you believe they have interviewed 150 people, as they state here? Because the two don't jive.
How could 150 officers only conduct 150 interviews in over three months? What are those 150 officers doing all day?
We both know the answer, but only I'm willing to say it -- They don't have anywhere near 150 officers assigned to this case. That was strictly a lie said for PR purposes. But, they know they can get away with that kind of bold-faced lie, because the press here will never call them on it.
In any country with a truly free and independent press, they would be facing daily scrutiny about their incompetence/lack of progress. Here, it goes un-reported.
Again, you are free to respect that. But I don't.

 

Perhaps, but it is a safer country, less crime, etc. So I guess the cops don't need to be as good? Thing is if you read the news, world news, you wouldn't be making such a bold statement. Read the papers from home once in a while, eh?

But perhaps you should call the cops and tell them what to do. Maybe stake out the parents house yourself. Be a hero and solve the case?

 

if ichihashi's parents are helping him, i wonder if the police have them under surveillence? i bet not.

time to call out the tv psychics!

 

This case doesn't seem to be all that abnormal. If you watch the "most wanted" type programs many killers are able to elude the police despite the fact that their identity is known.
If someone doesn't need to work hiding might be not more difficult than wearing a dust mask or sunglasses.
But regardless of that the NPA should be ashamed.

 

where do I defend the justice system. I said its flawed. They make mistakes. Certainly the cops did letting Ichihashi getting away.

And sure if the parents went on TV and made a plea, fine. If it helped sure. Just don't think that its the norm anywhere so don't know why you demand they have to do it in this case.

And as for what the cops say they are doing, I will take their word for it, as much as I wlll take the word of any cops anywhere.

Sure for people like you patthat, and others, you will not rest until people scream that Japan is the worst. I don't think so.

While I hope this case is solved quickly, many cases have, some haven't, I have seen enough stuff in the news here and abroad to at least understand that its not that easy. Sure the cops screwed up when he escaped but from there I have no proof they are not doing their jobs. In fact as the one making the accusation, I think the onus is on you to prove they aren't doing their jobs. That they haven't caught him yet is not proof by the way.

 

I'm sorry but I have to laugh at this response.
You see, I didn't leave my sense of logic at the "Re-entry permit" line the last time I came through Narita.
I still have my bullsh*t meter intact.
There is no way you can possibly believe what the J-cops are saying in this case. They have had three months, and still have not explained how he got away from their nime crack officers. They have refused repeatedly to answer this question when asked by Japan Times and other news organizations.
And, the fact they have not caught him ABSOLUTELY is proof they are not doing their job. Their job is to apprehend criminals, not follow meaningless/pointless process -- like putting up posters in kobans, that nobody sees anyway.
But, I guess that is the difference between us. You will settle for PR releases and endless process. I want the SOB behind bars.

 

no we agree. we both want the SOB behind bars.

we also agree it was a massive cock-up that he got away.

but simply the fact that he is not caught yet does not mean they aren't doing their jobs, they didn't that crucial day when Ichihashi got away thats for sure but from then its like any other manhunt, not so easy. So simply assuming that because he is not caught yet that they are not doing there job is well, simple.

 

guys calm down. I can feel your emotion jerseyboy and agree with it. but urks is not really defending the cops here. he's just taking a milder attitude toward the incompetence. and no japan's justice isn't the worst. I'd take it anytime over say Saudi Arabia's where wearing a cross could get you deported.
I do think the J-cops are doing things about this case but no where near the level they try to project. The only time I can believe 150 officers on the case is when they find an unidentified body and you see those 150 officers in blue on the news collecting clues after the fact of a crime. Must be why we don't see them elsewhere they are too busy in the lab checking out that piece of dog doo they found. some people just gotta create work to keep busy and stay away from DANGER.

 

The fact that they have not caught them proves nothing.

You appear to be suffering from what's become known as the "CSI effect" or "CSI syndrome", whereby a person develops unreal expectations of criminal investigators and their findings.

Prior to CBS' wildly popular crime drama, I think we all knew this affliction by its generic name: "watching too much TV".

Crimes aren't solved in 60 minutes with commercial breaks.

 

We'll agree to disagree.
As I told urko, as the father of a CSI technician in the U.S, I am not "suffering from what's become known as the CSI effect".
(So, please keep you patronizing remarks to yourself.)
Having lived in Japan for several years, I am intelligent enough to conclude that when any J-authorities, particularly the cops, keep completely silent about something, it means they have screwed up again.
Respectfully, let me clue you in on something -- THE CRIME IS SOLVED.
They just can't find the scumbag that did it. That has nothing to do with CSI. But has everything to do with effort and competence. And they have had a lot more than "60 minutes with commercial breaks" to do it.

 

Rather you are concluding based on your biases towards Japan that when any J-authorities, particularly the cops, keep completely silent about something, it means they have screwed up again.[/. I think that would be more accurate.

We all know they screwed up in letting him go. But finding a fugitive is not that easy. Call your daughter, event she will agree although as a technician not sure how much she is involved in searching for suspects on the run.

 

You'd think that with the number of camera's literally everywhere on every street, especially in Tokyo, that his face has popped up somewhere (likely thousands of times) and he could easily be found if they were actually looking. They know where his family lives, they know where his associates live, they know all this and a lot more.

I mean, remember all the camera's that caught the Navy guy in Yokosuka walking the streets? Now think how many more are in Tokyo and likely wherever this guy ran off to.

But there is nothing, he just got away. No clues. He just vanished into thin air.

They could find this guy in a day if they really did what it takes. Interview every single person who ever had anything to do with him in his hometown, in his area of Tokyo, his former jobs, etc. They could find him but they are too busy standing in front of police boxes observing traffic.

 

You disagree that crimes aren't solved in 60 minutes with commercial breaks? Then yes, we'll agree to disagree.


Wrong.

Ichihashi - the prime suspect in this murder - is still on the loose.

I'm also positive that he hasn't been tried nor convicted in absentia (and who says he's the only one involved?).

Sorry, this crime is not solved.

But rest assured, the police are working on it.