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Wakayama Prefectural Police have arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business after he left several umbrellas on the tracks of the Wakayama Electric Railway line between Wakayama City and Kinokawa City.
Local media reported that there has been a string of similar incidents involving umbrellas left along train tracks recently. The latest incident occurred between 2:10 and 3:55 p.m. Saturday on the tracks near Nichizengu and Kire stations in Wakayama City. There were no injuries and no contact between any trains with the umbrellas but services were delayed.
According to police, the man emerged as a suspect after being captured on surveillance camera footage in the vicinity. Police said the suspect has not been named because he has an intellectual disability. He was quoted as saying he placed umbrellas on the train tracks because he was feeling irritated.
© Japan Today
13 Comments
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diagonalslip
not so much of an 'intellectual disability' as to be unaware that his actions could cause disaster, minor or major, it seems, since he consciously wanted to do something about his state of irritation, by doing what he did.... and apparently has done so a number of times.
snowymountainhell
Another crisis averted by diligent review of CCTV footage by Jpolice. In the meantime, perhaps Tama-sama, the famous stationmaster cat (now a goddess), is still watching over all Wakayama trains and prevented any accidents?
snowymountainhell
Foolish behavior, this time acting out in such grand, potentially devastating manner against the community’s. Probably not the first time in his 53 years. Thank gods he didn’t vent his irritations on animals, or a child.
Let’s hope the courts order him into a psychiatric evaluation before he’s release and appropriate care for his “intellectual disability” to make sure he’s not a danger to himself or the community.
Kobe White Bar Owner
will Japan ever address its HUGE mental health issues or just continue to brush it under the carpet cos “we’re all perfect.”
Samit Basu
I have accidentally left newspaper pages on subway track after wind blew it off my hand before.
I did report it to the station manager. Thank God I don’t live in Japan or I would have been arrested.
virusrex
If the man can't be named because of his disability then the person that have a responsibility over him should be, he is either fit to live in society by himself or has to be under the care of a guardian, so either have to assume responsibility.
Mat
" he placed umbrellas on the train tracks because he was feeling irritated."
Mental heath really needs to be prioritised in Japan. His 'excuse' is not acceptable. "I was having a bad day so I decided to endager/kill people"; NO. This is not ok.
Japan needs to shift from it's ancient work-first attitudes to something more.... civilized.
Random
I’m guessing he probably has some form of autism, which is not a mental health problem. Unfortunately, when they’re alone, there is no one to help control their behavior.
Gaijinjland
Intellectual disability. That explains it!
Aly Rustom
thats random
piskian
Another open and shut case.
On the island where I live,the number of mentally challenged residents due to inbreeding and alcoholism is astounding.
Facilities for them are the biggest business.Worrying thing is,unless you report your relative as in need of help, they're out and about,driving and causing mayhem.
uaintseeme
Keep this handicapped man locked up for awhile to give him some time to cool down and become un-irritated.