Ex-mayor gets 4 1/2 years for car crash that killed 3

Seimei wa kicho desu. Inochi wa taisetsu desu.... this is has always been true to myself so I do not agree with the sentence. It is sad on all sides of this story so I pray for the families involved.

Meanwhile a man gets only 3 years for killing 3 pedestrians when driving and playing the Pokemon game. This is plain stupidity.

sangetsu03 Today  08:51 am JST

It was not intentional, anyone can fall asleep while driving. He deserves punishment, such as permanently losing his license, and he must compensate the relatives of those killed for their loss. But were this any other developed country in the world, he would not have been sentenced to prison.

Were he driving drunk, or recklessly, he would deserve a harsh punishment, but not in this case

Although I agree with your comment, I think some time needs to be served for taking lives even if a true accident from being sleepy and not drunk or drugged up. Lives lost are not compensated by losing a license and any amount of money compensation is impossible to define. I think 4 years in prison for a 75 year old man is a proper judgement especially by Japanese precedent.

I'm impressed the usual suspect hasn't been on to vilify old people for having the audacity to drive.

Falling asleep at the wheel is bad but not as bad as drunk driving - although I'm sure that's of little comfort to the families of the victims.

Anyway, he will serve his time and isn't going to appeal the sentence.

TIJ. I was rather impressed with the man yesterday getting life for murder, but today we're back to the irrational, but typical, sentences.

But were this any other developed country in the world, he would not have been sentenced to prison.

i totally disagree. vehicular manslaughter is still murder. in almost every developed country, i think he would have been given a harsher penalty.

In no way meaning to detract from the victims' family. But I tend to agree that it was a tragic accident. In a way, he and his wife are also victims - there was no malice or intent behind the accident. It's arguable that driving while tired is 'dangerous driving' and being Japan, he has to take a percentage of the blame no matter how much at fault he is (minimum 20% for just sitting stationary in your car if someone hits you - have never understood this 'logic').

But honestly, who isn't tired almost every single time they run the gauntlet in Japan (especially after they work slavish hours). Constant accidents in wait due to the ridiculous road systems and congestion here. Do you drive through traffic jams every day? Sometimes it is not so easy as to just pull over and sleep (although I have done so myself).

I agree he needs to take some form of responsibility, but I don't think we should vilify him unless he were drunk or similar.

the fact he will not appeal means he must be truly sorry. it was an accident and probably related to, although this is a guess, that Japanese people work too hard, for too long hours.

Since he was in a government position, the town/prefecture he represented must also go above and beyond for the families of the victims.

His license will be invoked for sure. As for compensation towards the families beyond insurance that will be a civil court matter and not at the criminal court.

Yes I read the article and it says he "dozed off". Lucky for us it wasn't us right? Just random people decided to drive although they are too tired or too sleepy and bam hit those innocent people!

I have experienced this loss and trust me when that person come to you and apologize for "not intentionally killing" your loved ones then you will understand that "wow" is the best word I can say about this.

Wow 4 year for the life of 3 people.

It was not intentional, anyone can fall asleep while driving. He deserves punishment, such as permanently losing his license, and he must compensate the relatives of those killed for their loss. But were this any other developed country in the world, he would not have been sentenced to prison.

Were he driving drunk, or recklessly, he would deserve a harsh punishment, but not in this case.

Wow 4 year for the life of 3 people.