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Japanese elementary teacher busted for hiding students’ shoes; writing 'die' on their belongings

25 Comments
By Katie Pask, SoraNews24

Have you ever felt like your teacher really had it in for you? Maybe they graded you lower, spent extra time calling you out in class, or peed on your sleeping bag during a school trip.

For students at an elementary school in Akiruno City, Tokyo, a similarly strange case has come to light where their teacher has been stealing their belongings.

The suspect in this case is 38-year-old Koichi Inoue, who allegedly stole three shoes from students at the Tokyo elementary school he worked at. Arrested in late September, when questioned by the police, Inoue claimed he had “no idea” and denied the charges. However, the shoes (which, for some reason, were all right-foot shoes) were found in Inoue’s staffroom locker. Further investigation uncovered security camera footage of Inoue, and interviews with his co-workers only incriminated him further.

Inoue was originally arrested when it was discovered that he had written “die” on a student’s disaster prevention hat. He had also written “you’re gross” on another student’s painting set and was arrested for suspected vandalism.

However, it appears that Inoue wasn’t carrying out his petty crimes because he hated his students, rather he hated his co-workers. In further interviews with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Inoue declared that the stress that came from working with his fellow teachers pushed him into committing his weird crimes.

“I’m always the first teacher to arrive each morning. The other teachers don’t do their jobs at all,” he claimed. “Hiding the shoes was meant to be an added inconvenience for them.”

Although the police didn’t elaborate in too much detail, the shoes apparently “can no longer be used”. We’ll leave whatever that means up to your imagination.

Inoue had been working at the school since April 2017, during which time over one hundred items have been reported by students as missing or vandalised. Police are currently investigating to see if there is a possible relation to Inoue’s case.

Japanese commenters had this to say about the teacher’s unusual behavior:

“Hiding a kid’s belongings… how childish.”

“I wonder, did he choose to become a teacher because he never wanted to leave school?”

“Hurry up and make all schools distance learning!”

“Why on earth is this guy an elementary school teacher?”

“Kids, make sure you don’t grow up to be like this weird guy.”

“What kind of 38 year-old takes out their stress with other teachers on a bunch of children?! You shouldn’t work in education anymore.”

“Maybe the longer you work with elementary school kids, the more your way of thinking starts to work like theirs.”

This year has certainly seen its fair share of questionable behavior by teachers in Japan, but Inoue’s arrest will at least lead to one less inappropriate teacher in the classrooms.

Source: Asahi Shimbun via Hachima Kiko

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Fukushima teacher threatens students with “Death Note”

-- Chiba teacher arrested for threats to “blow up government buildings” because of Saturday classes

-- Student gets a huge surprise when his teachers finds out he doodled anime’s Naruto on his report

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

25 Comments
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Revoke his teaching license/certificate and prosecute the vandalism charge. Childish only begins to describe him, 'cuz if he takes out his inability to get along with other teachers on kids, his misplaced anger makes him dangerous.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

He must really, really, really hate some of his students.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

If he had an axe to grind with teachers, then screw with them. Teachers have shoe boxes too. Leave the kids out of it, they have enough going on already.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

“I’m always the first teacher to arrive each morning. The other teachers don’t do their jobs at all,” he claimed. “Hiding the shoes was meant to be an added inconvenience for them.”

I thought he would be one who was bullied as a child but he’s taking this out on his colleagues which is a twist. I guess it’s harder to hide your colleagues’ shoes. Indirect way of being indirect.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

What an idiot! This guy is mentally unstable and should not be working with minors at all. He should also be charged so that he understands that what he did is not something small.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Strange? Yes.

But be happy Japan that this is the top story in your "Crimes" section today. Just sayin'.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

reading this news, you don't know whether to laugh or cry. smh...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Another creep who should not be allowed anywhere near children.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

While I understand disliking your coworkers, I’m guessing there have been many unpleasant issues with him. No one calls the cops on three stolen shoes so what else has this guy done that’s not being reported?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Although the police didn’t elaborate in too much detail, the shoes apparently “can no longer be used”. 

Creepy. He'd go far in some positions.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This is what teaching in Japan accepts, as a premise for what???

5 ( +5 / -0 )

“We’ll leave whatever that means up to your imagination“

Is this suppose to be a news article reporting facts or an op-ed?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

While I understand disliking your coworkers, I’m guessing there have been many unpleasant issues with him. No one calls the cops on three stolen shoes so what else has this guy done that’s not being reported?

Exactly. Sounds like this guy already had problems with his coworkers and should've been fired a long time ago. By not getting him fired they put the students at risk.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

He needs professional help. They are very lucky to be avoided tragedy. He needs treatment urgent fo mental illness.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I hate co-workers who arrive early and complain to boss about other workers not doing enough work.

throw the shoe at him!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

He's 38 YO and he's been working at the school since 2017, ok, where was he working before this? he's not fresh out of college, was he working at another school? if so why did he leave? the cops also need to go back beyond 2017 to his previous employers.

why take the right shoe's, is this just to cause an inconvenience to the child? why not take both pairs?

And the shoes have been defaced, WTF? why, just why? what has a small child done to deserve that?

To write die and gross on some one else's personal belongings, this guy needs some serious help in the brain box dept.

Apparently there has been over 100 other separate cases, stuff goes missing at school every day so I am not 100% convinced on this, but I am keeping an open mind,

So lets take a closer look at the charges: 1: Theft, 2: Vandalism, 3: Gross misconduct, 4: Intimidation/Bullying

I am sure there could be more charge, but either way this guy should NOT be within 100 meters of any child. I hope the parents give him the invoice for all of the alleged damage he caused.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Whats up with all these wackos??

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cant beleive im hearing all these wacko stories every other day here in Jland. Must be due to coronoa virus stress.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Wow! This loon has some serious issues. Hopefully, he will never be allowed to be around children again.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Mental health issues....again!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If this is the result, why is no one looking in to the cause? What have his co-workers done to drive him to it? There are two sides to every story.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Sounds like a bully straight up.

Good job harassing some little kids there, teach.

He would be a good visual aid for the kids in the school.

"Hey kids, this is how NOT to become an adult. Whatever he does, do the opposite. Good luck!"

3 ( +3 / -0 )

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