Arson-murder suspect a reclusive, quarrelsome gamer, neighbor says

Instead of all this tabloid gossip reporting, just concentrate on prosecuting him for mass murder.

This gossip gets us nowhere. Every day of the week ex-convicts argue with their neighbours. This is not connected to the mass-murder of so many.

I am concerned that this tragedy will concentrate on personality attacks on the accused, and sweep under the carpet some important questions.

Japan does this everytime when such crimes happen. Putting the focus away from questions why, and instead gossiping about the accused.

I am concerned that this tragedy will concentrate on personality attacks on the accused, and sweep under the carpet some important questions.

I am curious. What important questions are those? I am not interested in hearing his delusional explanation for his behavior. It's irrelevant.

About the only parts of that which are relevant are his previous conviction and him grabbing the neighbour. The type of apartment, his appearance, him liking video games, etc. is all tittle tattle. No-one should be judged on those.

About the only parts of that which are relevant are his previous conviction and him grabbing the neighbour.

All information does point to a person with who is mentally disturbed. Perhaps the 3 and a half years he spent in prision previously has something to do with this.

From what I can see, prisions in Japan isolate inmates, having a detremental effect on mental health. (I believe that Japans re-offending rate is high).

By the way, I'm not suggesting prisons should be hotels, but prisions should be to re-habilitate as well as punish.

Mostly pujorative opinion, very little fact.

Stereotypes much! A reclusive and argumentative gamer who lives in a delusional fantasy world. He probably had a virtual marriage to one of his game or manga heroines too.

Gaming is not a healthy pass time and should never be considered a hobby. I see so many people addicted to games it’s frightening. Last week there were 40 odd people standing around in the rain near my place waiting for their Pokémon to appear. The people ranged in age from mid-20’s to over 50. I was surprised to see so many of them had two devices waiting to catch their Pokémon. Then, there are all those twits with their faces glued to screens playing games while walking through crowds. I saw a woman in her 30’s walk straight off the platform as a train was coming while she was playing that mindless join the balls game. It was only luck that she was on the stopping end of the platform and train had slowed enough to stop. It’s a mental illness! Not a hobby! Every time I see a middle aged man playing a mindlessly ridiculous game on his phone I want to slap him!

Gaming is not a healthy pass time and should never be considered a hobby. I see so many people addicted to games it’s frightening. Last week there were 40 odd people standing around in the rain near my place waiting for their Pokémon to appear. The people ranged in age from mid-20’s to over 50. I was surprised to see so many of them had two devices waiting to catch their Pokémon. Then, there are all those twits with their faces glued to screens playing games while walking through crowds. I saw a woman in her 30’s walk straight off the platform as a train was coming while she was playing that mindless join the balls game. It was only luck that she was on the stopping end of the platform and train had slowed enough to stop. It’s a mental illness!

A hobby is activity you do in your spare time. Just because you don't like it and don't understand it doesn't mean it's not a hobby. There are people who actually make thier living playing video games. I wonder how much time you spend watching TV. Get off your high horse!

"Music from video games blared from Aoba's apartment at all hours, the neighbor said, adding that there had been complaints from residents about the noise in the last year."

In my first year in Japan, way back when, the guy who lived above me used to crank his electric guitar at 3 a.m. and play until about 5 a.m.... and by play I mean he would just use his guitar to make dying cats sound bad. I took the first step. Went up to his room, knocked on his door, with the intention of being neighborly and asking him to keep it down. He not only did not answer, but he cranked the volume higher, and the next day I found my door had been kicked in and furniture wrecked. I called the land-lady and here is what she said: "Oh, how terrible. Would you like to move to another building in the room, or another apartment somewhere else? That would be easier." I could not believe it. Fortunately, he moved three months later. When he did, and when the land-lady checked his room she screamed. I laughed. Apparently there were holes in all the walls, he wiped his feces all over the place, and there were maggots all over the place because he left open garbage everywhere. I had no trouble in telling them "I told you so" when they had to have that part of the building condemned and torn down after I left.

Point is... this guy reminds me of that guy. It's not about 'games', though. It's about an inability to cope with societal norms that is the problem.

Smith - had the exact same experience as you. Neighbor cranked club music at ?? am in the morning. I banged on his door at ?? in the morning. No answer. Complained to the building manager. Nothing they could do. I wound up moving.

Do the hustle - Right there with you about gamers, except for the part about slapping them. As long as they play their games and not hurt other people... Oh wait...

Why do people become like this man?

I'm sure that it must be a combination of things such as, his personal choices, growing up and living in a largely cold, uncaring and materialistic world, the effects of incessant gaming, etc, etc.

Whatever the reasons, it's sad that our world produces such people and that they commit such evil acts. Makes me want to love, appreciate and hug my family and be a little kinder to everyone else.

I agree with TigersTokyoDome. It's an open and shut case. No need to flood the TV with his past and waste air time. He shouldn't get any air time at all. Actually, it only makes the police department look bad for not effectively following up on any complaints made against him.

This is so wrong, Trial by Press. What chance has the man got of a fair trial when everyone exposed to the Newspapers sensationalism will hardly have an impartial view.