18-year-old motorcyclist arrested for attempted murder after traffic altercation

It is really sad that a traffic altercation had to lead to this sort of violence. For crying out loud it is a traffic misunderstanding. Someone’s life is more valuable than this. It is ridiculous that violence has to be the answer to this misunderstanding. Hopefully the victim will recover. The suspect should be sentenced to sixty (“60”) years in prison to discourage violence and so we can have universal tranquility.

For protection/safety reasons, if there is any kind of traffic incident, misunderstanding, etc, always telephone the cops before talking to another driver so this way it will be safer. For instance, even if there is a minor fender bender, telephone the cops and wait for the cops to arrive before engaging the other person. If another driver approaches you, stay in the vehicle to wait for the the cops so you have protection. The issue is that the other person is a complete stranger and no one knows who they are. At least with a cop around supervising, we know there is protection.

Traffic arguments can lead to fights. If you can't fight, don't get involved in petty arguments.

Usually best just to ignore the idiots and move on.

If you want to be a citizen policeman, you have to accept the responsibility, not just ego satisfaction.

Can’t name him, then name his parents...they must be so proud.

Unless there's something newly added, I don't think the Japanese criminal code recognizes "attempted murder." Typically it would be "assault with grievous bodily harm" or words to that effect. Attempted murder would imply a degree of premeditation, which does not apply in this case. My guess is this is a translation glitch.

Sorry, I just remembered. The police might have arrested the biker on a charge of 殺人未遂 (attempted murder) but they are going to have a hard time proving intent.

Street punk. Throw the book at him.

No sympathy for the punk, but.... if he runs red lights on a bike, he mainly puts his own life in danger, so I would just ignore it and let Darwins law work.

18 still a minor? I thought they'd changed the law or has that yet to come into effect?

Street punk. Throw the book at him

Won't happen as he's still a "teenage kids" according to the laws. Old enough to get credit cards, an apartment, enlist on the army and old enough to commit crime but not old enough to pay for it. Weird how the laws work.

Running red lights is endemic in Japan.

I have not once seen the J-cops act on the constant red light running...

"According to police, the suspect, who cannot be named because he is a minor..."

Here we go again. So, let's say the victim dies, and the charge is upgraded to manslaughter, as well as potentially being charged for running a red light, public fighting, etc. They won't be able to name him, and he'll be free in a little more than a year after being in a reformatory?

This country is so backwards sometimes. The criminal could have been one day over 20 and suddenly his actions would be considered prosecutable, but one day before 20 and he doesn't have the mental capacity to know right from wrong. Good old Japan.

kurisupisu: "I have not once seen the J-cops act on the constant red light running..."

I have. A guy riding his bike started to ride slightly before the green, and a man who sped through the red in a light truck almost hit him. The police immediately went into action... stopping the guy on the bike.

If this violent, angry punk is a minor why is allowed to ride a motorcycle? Japan should join the modern world and make adults criminally responsible at 18.

18 years old is not a minor. 18 should be considered as an adult so he will get juvenile detention instead of prison for being a minor

Old enough to be charged with attempted murder, beat a man into a coma and ride a motor bike, but not old enough to be named. Yeah.....makes sense. NOT!

Old enough to be charged with attempted murder, beat a man into a coma and ride a motor bike, but not old enough to be named. Yeah.....makes sense. NOT!

How does that not make sense? He's a juvenile, and they charged him as such. You do understand why these laws exist, and are different from adults, don't you? And if you don't, then why would you comment on this article as if you knew what you were talking about?

Paul, you can get a motorcycle license after 16 years old, with some restrictions (no big bikes, no passenger).

In my 20 years riding the motorcycle almost daily (less nowadays), mostly around Tokyo, I've encountered enough idiot fellow bikers. I cautioned some of them, but not when the guy is an obviously crazy punk ignoring red lights at night. In that case, a phone call to police is the best (idiot riding through red lights on xx street). They will come.

Hillclimber

And if he collides with another bike or scooter while running the red light.....?

Point taken. That is why I said "mainly".

smithinjapan

I have. A guy riding his bike started to ride slightly before the green, and a man who sped through the red in a light truck almost hit him. The police immediately went into action... stopping the guy on the bike.

Oh yeah. They are tough on bicycles, especially mama-chari. Big trucks running red lights not so much. It is one of my Japan pet pieves.

A very different side of Japanese Life. Makes them seem almost like the rest of us - today's youth just as highly strung as our Parents generation thought of us.

However, that said... I have had in the past, a memorable altercation with a Tokyo Yellow Cab driver who tried to run into me whilst I was crossing the road upon a black & white crossing during a Green crossing light. He basically swung across the road, and drew quickly up to my offside before slamming on the breaks and stopping within an inch of me, leaning out of his window to shout abuse at me - I thumped his bonnet and told him to look where he's going, (that's how close he was), next thing I know, the bugg3r leaps out with a knife and starts threatening me - he looked like an elderly street bum with tats... wasn't worth the effort of engaging him, so walked off, with him in hot pursuit until some other Drivers start honking their horns as his sloppy parking in the middle of the crossing way! I won't take a Tokyo Yellow Cab in future - their Cabs are dirty, their drivers generally unfriendly, and anyway they overcharge by tweaking the meters.

The Good Mannered nature of Japanese ... is a fairy tale in reality.

@baroque1888 - I think your 60 years is excessive, and such a threat wouldn't help anyway, though certainly his reaction was bad, and one wonders if he is a general danger to the Public, perhaps a Psychological analysis of his stability should be looked at with corrective measures investigated before considering such a long term imprisonment - which we will all pay for. Though Japan, if I am not mistaken, does appear to lacking when it comes to Psychological disorder and care thereof.. so how about a firing squad - would that work for you (certainly cheaper) ?

If it were your own Teenage Son, would you have a different opinion upon the punishment ?