Hideaki Kumazawa is escorted by police as he is taken to prosecutors in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, on Monday. Photo: KYODO
crime

Ex-top farm ministry official says Kawasaki attack prompted his murder of son

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The Hitler paradox. Is it justifiable to kill an innocent person before they commit a crime?

Regardless of what he thought his son may have done or how much his behavior was beginning to change, what he did was still wrong. Sure, there is a chance he may have saved lives; however, there is the 100% certainty that he killed an innocent man.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

So, his father was concerned about his son’s mental state, so he stabbed him multiple times. It would seem the son was not the only one in the family with mental issues.

However, there is very little support for people who become ‘hikikomori’. They are just left to go insane, which is the point where they snap and start attacking people. Something really needs to be done to address this ever increasing problem and to supply counseling for these people or institutions for the extreme cases.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

His own freedom (which he has not shirked from) and his sons life, who by all accounts was a worthless human being contributing nothing and who was violent towards his family and threatening the community.

The fact that he was possibly a worthless human being does not imply that his father has somehow an excuse or a reason to kill him. Period.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

The Hitler paradox. Is it justifiable to kill an innocent person before they commit a crime?

Nope. Until they commit the crime, they are an innocent.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

If he gets off, that’s gunna set some pretty bad precedent!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

This is a tragedy, a father killing his own son over suspicions he might commit murder when as far as we know the son had never been in any legal trouble.

he was seen having a quarrel with neighbors over ways to take out garbage.

I've had those myself ( the plastic trash has to be clean, lol ). But that doesn't make me "a worthless human being" like someone here said the son was. Kumazawa did say his son had exhibited violent behavior toward him and his wife, but apparently the police had never been called. He should have made him leave his home and warned the police about his behavior, not kill him.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

albaleo:

We have no details about the son's violent behavior. But if it had been towards his mother, for example, it might explain the father's actions. 

The son's frequent violence against his mother has been reported. He even wrote in a social media: "If I were given a license to kill, I would kill first my dumb mother" ("もし殺人許可をもらったら真っ先に愚母を殺すな") .

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/article?a=20190603-00000103-sasahi-soci&p=2

5 ( +5 / -0 )

His son was found with a dozen wounds concentrated in his upper body including chest and abdomen.

Well he savagely killed his own son and somehow he thinks that it was only his son who had mental problems? He is as mentally sick and insane as his son was, actually more since he is the one who committed a murder.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Something really needs to be done to address this ever increasing problem and to supply counseling for these people

The problem is that many of them have had counselling and psychiatric "treatment," but it is not effective. Most of the mass murderers in the States also have had or were in the middle of mental "treatment" at the time they went on a rampage.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

a family tragedy. nothing more to add. for those who can read japanese, check out the dead son's past tweets about wanting to kill his mother. i have not independently verified if all the information posted in that blog are true or not.

https://yumochiblog.com/kumasawa-hideaki-son-killing#Twitter

3 ( +3 / -0 )

tended to be withdrawn from social life and exhibited violent behavior

We have no details about the son's violent behavior. But if it had been towards his mother, for example, it might explain the father's actions. I'm not saying that's an excuse, but perhaps an understandable explanation. I'm not sure how I'd behave if there was someone in my house who I thought posed a threat to my family.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Terrible. His own son.

This man's generation created this hikikomori types by being too over protecting. Now Japan has a generation of selfish self centered mentally unstable adult children.

Dont let your kids be a lazy parasite. Kick them out of the house. And why put up with an abusive son who leeches off you.

Its called tough love.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Kumazawa joined the predecessor of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1967, and became the ministry's top bureaucrat in 2001.

This is a really big story that needs more attention.  Along with this accomplishment as well as being an Ambassador, this guy was well above the average Tanaka in the streets.  Yet, even with this background, he probably didn't consider the fact that his son may have had a mental issue and the best place for him was to be committed to an institution, rather just kill him and try to get sympathy for "saving" everyone from a future attack.

With that kind of logic and reasoning at the top of Japan society, this place is in some serious trouble when it comes to mental health perceptions and issues. IMO

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The father is a victim, murderer, and hero all at the same time.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Bugle Boy of Company BToday  04:50 pm JST

If he gets off, that’s gunna set some pretty bad precedent!

He's not going to get off. He's not trying to get off. He committed murder and called the authorities to report it. Now he will do the time. But he will take probably take some comfort knowing that he saved his wife from danger, though not heart-break, and may have saved the neighboring school's pupils.

Hard-choice. And surely not the right one, but... I am at a loss to think what he could have done. Calling the police about his suspicions would not likely have achieved anything more than further antagonizing the son. I wonder if a family member could get a psychiatric hold put on someone, and if this family has been down that route before.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Japan is not normal in this sense. So many people foster and nuture these kinds of sick giant individuals.

It is not normal to be cooking and cleaning for 40-50 year olds and having them complain and whine like children.

It’s a sick relationship where the parent has a child who doesn’t wanna grow up, and the parents don’t seem to want them to develop either.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

 He is as mentally sick and insane as his son was,

If I was a lay judge on a jury in Japan, I would have to thumb you down for that and disagree, His son was not mentally in sane , nor was the murderer .

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Never read so much double speak in my life. With the fathers position it will be very interesting to watch how this plays out and what kind of sentence he receives.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I am afraid that my son is going to murder someone, so I am going to murder him

oh, the irony

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Prevention is better than cure?  Weird logic on this bloke's part.  Call the authorities?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The father needs to chill out. Talk about taking an extreme approach to things. No wonder his son was withdrawn. Give your son a hug once in a while whydoncha?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Whatever his son's problems, it was not his place to end his life.

This guy chose to murder his son, than be shamed by future possible behavior

and its repercussions?

W T F

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The father chose to hide this problem instead of seeking help because he was ashamed, but was not ashamed enough to become a murderer?! Where have all your morals and emotions gone old man?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The guy is already sentenced to live with this for the rest of his life, awake or asleep. Nothing anyone can do to punish him more and probably no-one can help him.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Whatsnext:

Its called tough love.

I surely pray that you don't have any kids. Tough love doesn't come from being an deadbeat parent or family member. If you really want your kid to be successful to encourage them on have a job or hobby in a younger age.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

 Is it justifiable to kill an innocent person before they commit a crime?

maybe he had a precrime vision

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

The fact that he was possibly a worthless human being does not imply that his father has somehow an excuse or a reason to kill him. Period.

Combined with the potential for violence, yes it does constitute a reason. Period.

Imagine his guilt if his son actually went out and killed some kids.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Bugle Boy of Company BToday  04:50 pm JST

If he gets off, that’s gunna set some pretty bad precedent.

Only if you are an ex-politician of the LDP party or an existing one. The others have to face jail time of course.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I feel so sorry for the father, the former ambassador of Japan. Many of us today live in situation which we cannot influence or control. We are becoming victims of situations, even within the family, which are beyond our control and influence. What should we do ?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The "Minority report" defence?

makes an interesting change from the "was drunk and remember nothing" defence.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"I killed him because I thought he might kill someone".

Not the best reasoning in the world.

If the son was violent it might have been a good idea to call the police, although I understand the police are reluctant to get involved in family matters here.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

How best to take out garbage has always been a serious problem. Put it in a paper bag or plastic carry in left hand right hand or with both hands which is best. As a sidebar, unruly unpleasant house guest problems can be solved with eviction.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The internal logic of this whole story is just too sad for words. The father's face says it all. Like something out of the Sengoku Period.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Reads like a total cover up.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

For the Father to kill his own Son, ending his bloodline, that's gotta take some doing - plus one has to wonder, if the old guy could take out his Son so "easily" (note no brusing to face), then was his Son incapacitated ? Or is there more to this story than we're seeing ? Could he be taking the honorable fall for a neighbour who took matters into his own hands ?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Well, somebody has to say it. His father knew him best and the risks. The cops can't/won't do anything. This guy could have saved multiple lives. The cost? His own freedom (which he has not shirked from) and his sons life, who by all accounts was a worthless human being contributing nothing and who was violent towards his family and threatening the community.  It's against the law and he'll pay the price, but good riddance, I say.

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

If this how the educated in Japan think then there is no hope for the future.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Murder is murder, let the guy fry.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I interviewed a Japanese cop once.

He said the rise in senior crime was due to demographics.

Seniors are projected to become the largest demography in Japan.

Therefore, seniors will become the largest demographic of criminal activity.

So why are we only talking about senior care?

And how do we mitigate Senior Crime?

As it stands, the elderly will only continue to claim the lives of young.

Demographically and statistically.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Not condoning his actions but, assuming he's intelligent, I have to wonder why he didn't try to get it done quietly so he could avoid going to prison. If his son was socially withdrawn then perhaps noboy would notice. Makes me think maybe he wanted to murder him brutally and get caught.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I was waiting for this excuse. Murder is never the answer. He could have called the cops or seek other help

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

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