Former top farm ministry official admits killing reclusive son

ever since he was bullied at a famous private junior high school.

Who's name is not metioned? Because its famous? That's part of the problem. You can rise to the top but fail on everyday things like supporting your child. And ending up stabbing your child to death. A promotion less a hug sooner might have avoided a stabbing. Each to their own.

The defense team said Wednesday that Eiichiro had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and Asperger's syndrome, adding the defendant "desperately supported and cared for his eldest son."

This shows how mental illness are not well cared in Japam,in a society that stigmatize and demonize such kind of sickness.

Both Ill people that suffer of mental disturbs and families become victims of their crude society.

Time to reach the 21st century and to give proper care to these people and their family and to don’t make feel such kind of pathology as a sin but as any kind of sickness that needs a healing process.

He is an 'elite.'

No jail time here.....definitely a suspended sentence.

This is how Japanese parents deal with their children’s mental illnesses

It's about time Japan woke up to mental health issues. It isn't something to be ashamed of. It isn't something you should have to hide. It isn't something you should have to deal with yourself. There are trained professionals out there who can help.

I've never seen newspapers here (JT included) add contact details at the end of related articles for 'suicide hotlines', counseling services etc. I'm sure these kinds of groups exist in Japan, and it would be extremely helpful if the mainstream media (as well as outlets like JT), added such info at the end of articles. In fact it would be more than 'helpful' - it would be socially responsible.

I've never seen newspapers here (JT included) add contact details at the end of related articles for 'suicide hotlines', counseling services etc. I'm sure these kinds of groups exist in Japan, and it would be extremely helpful if the mainstream media (as well as outlets like JT), added such info at the end of articles. In fact it would be more than 'helpful' - it would be socially responsible.

Excellent observation and suggestion. Seconded.

Horrible and sad.

When will this country I love wake up to mental health problems? Not to mention bullying...

I went to an American Dr i Ameeica and was diagnosed with Mild Depression. I went to a Japanese Dr in Japan for a diagnosis. The Japanese Dr in Japan said I am fine. I went to a foreign therapist in Japan and they said I have mild depression. Japan does not recognize mental health issues and I have proof of that.

Actually, Japan does recognize mental illness. They have the highest number of psychiatric people, hospitals, beds per capita than anywhere else in the world, almost double the next highest country.

He's in the magic circle of the J-gov - expect a suspended sentence, if it even gets to that, just like the ex-bureaucrat who moved down some pedestrians, that finally went to court around 8 years afterwards.

And for those asking for help, Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) is available as well as Inochi No Denwa, a service for the Japanese. Interestingly, a very large number of Japanese call TELL, especially those who have lived abroad and have problems when they return here.

Tokyo English Life Line (TELL)

https://telljp.com OR Call 03-5774-0992

Inochi No Denwa (いのちの電話

https://www.indt.jp

http://www.inochinodenwa-net.jp/ OR Call 03-3264-4343

Look at how they treat the mentally ill and handicapped people. How they bully people who have a certain way with things. Very dangerous.

If I lost my temper and murdered by son I would say exactly what the suspect Hideaki Kumazawa is saying.

This is not self defense nor heat of the moment. This is cold blooded murder.

Man, 6 months till a trial. Speedy trial should be within 2 weeks of arrest IMHO.

Drako:

That's an anecdote, not proof. If you have a study or poll of at least 100 random people, then it could be part of proof.

 Japan does not recognize mental health issues and I have proof of that.

Your single anecdote is not “proof” that Japan does not recognize mental health issues.

Man, 6 months till a trial. Speedy trial should be within 2 weeks of arrest IMHO.

Two weeks is nowhere near enough time to investigate a crime, indict, investigate further, and prepare for trial in a civilized country with a semblance of a justice system.

Mentally ill people need love, not violence or aggression.

So, sorry for the father I feel his pain. But to end one's life it's not the answer.

Drako:

I went to an American Dr i Ameeica and was diagnosed with Mild Depression. I went to a Japanese Dr in Japan for a diagnosis. The Japanese Dr in Japan said I am fine. I went to a foreign therapist in Japan and they said I have mild depression. Japan does not recognize mental health issues and I have proof of that.

Doesn't everybody have depression one way or another? Does that make everyone mentally ill? If so, the Japanese doctor seems to be correct: you are normal, just like everybody else.

This translation either left a lot of details out or is purposefully misleading. The parents "moved exclusively" to the 2nd floor after the son moved back home without warning, slammed the father's head against the table when he asked him to pick up his trash, and was constantly threatening to kill them. They shut themselves in a 2nd floor bedroom because they were afraid to come out. They probably weren't perfect parents and I'm sure they probably could have found better ways to help him when he was younger, but after so many years the son was too far gone and this unfortunately becomes more a case of self-defense.

Chip Star:

If you get a judge that doesn't like you or a prosecutor with a relationship with that judge, you will not get bail, meaning you are in jail until after your trial. That's the whole point of a speedy trial. Any extensions of 2 weeks should be on the defendant, not the prosecution. if prosecutors cant prosecute from evidence within that time, they have failed. Just my opinion.

If you get a judge that doesn't like you or a prosecutor with a relationship with that judge, you will not get bail, meaning you are in jail until after your trial. That's the whole point of a speedy trial. Any extensions of 2 weeks should be on the defendant, not the prosecution. if prosecutors cant prosecute from evidence within that time, they have failed. Just my opinion.

Fair enough. Thanks for the response.

Sounds to me like he just tried to keep the kid hidden since he was bullied, rather then get him the help he desperately needed. This would be factored in in advanced nations, but won't be here, where this kind of thing is so much the case that parents would rather their kids died than deal with it and publicly admit problems, whether it's problems like this kid had, or physical disabilities. The 8050 problem is one of the people's own making, plain and simple, and they are waiting for someone to fix it for them. Until then, they just try and hide the problem away and pray for the best (which sometimes means the worst).