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A couple days ago, we reported on the arrest of Junya Okuno on charges of obstruction of business, assault, and other violations of aviation laws. To recap, a flight he was on had to make an emergency stop when he refused to wear a face mask in the close quarters of the cabin, and while causing a ruckus on his ejection, he allegedly injured the arm of a flight attendant.
You might think this would be a lesson in humility for Okuno, but as news footage of his arrest shows, old habits die hard.
Despite repeated requests by police to put on a face mask during arrest and interrogations, Okuno refused, saying it was “because I’m a mask-refusing guy.” He also reportedly is not cooperating with authorities and, rather than admitting or denying the charges, told the police: “It’s true that I boarded the Peach flight, but please see my blog for the rest.”
It’s not only the epitome of clickbait he just pulled, but overall Okuno seems dead bent on branding himself as not just “a mask-refusing guy” but “THE Mask-Refusing Guy” of Japan. In fact, his belligerence is so over the top that many netizens are doubting his authenticity.
“We’ve done it. We’ve reached the limit of stubborn old men.”
“He’s clearly trying to become the internet’s newest plaything.”
“He found the stupidest way in the world to become famous. Pathetic.”
“I’m not even angry. He knows what he’s doing.”
“He should wear a mask just because he’s ugly.”
“They should call him the ‘Refused-by-Society Guy’ instead.”
“He’s working hard to be the most famous idiot of Reiwa. We’ll keep seeing him on all the talk shows once he gets out.”
Indeed, Okuno has been popping up on discussion shows since the disturbance on the plane last September. On clips from an Abema TV show that aired last October, he apologized for the inconvenience but asserted his claim that wearing a mask infringes on our social freedoms.
In addition to the plane incident, reports emerged that Okuna also caused a disturbance in a museum at the Imperial Palace for visiting without a mask last summer, and then again last November at a hotel in Nagano Prefecture.
Editor's note: Okuna was released on Jan 22, pending his trial.
Sources: Mainichi Shimbun, Kyodo, Hachima Kiko
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Man who refused to wear mask on airplane in Japan gets arrested four months later
-- Japanese airline leaves passenger behind at rural island airport after he refuses to wear mask
-- No mask, no ride – Japanese government allows taxis to refuse to pick up maskless passengers
- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2021/01/25/man-arrested-for-refusing-to-wear-mask-on-a-plane-refuses-to-wear-mask-in-custody/
40 Comments
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Mark
He will change his mind after few weeks in the joint.
shogun36
.......Junya again?
Isn't it about time they just put this joker to sleep?
JP_sray
He was charged soon after his arrest.
He says, "I will reveal the truth again at the trial," but he seems to have mistaken the trial for a forum where he can argue his case rather than a place to be tried for his crimes.
He will be punished for his criminal acts, including a huge claim for compensation....
As a Japanese, I am ashamed to say that even in a country where wearing a mask is not a problem, there seem to be more than a few irredeemable idiots like him.
Runtu DaHilz
I don't know if the pandemic is actually a scamdemic or not. I've also heard that masks may not be so effective. Regardless, I just wear a mask to not give other people stress. And I don't want to draw attention to myself. It's no biggie, and the mask keeps my face warm.
SandyBeachHeaven
Fourteen days in solitude should clear him, then fax his mommy to come pick him up.
UK9393
Staff in stores can say nothing to those who don't wear masks, customers with this attitude know this, so I do. It's an interesting interaction at times.
cleo
They didn't chuck him off the plane because he refused to wear a mask, they chucked him off because when he was asked to wear a mask he got rude and offensive and aggressive towards staff and other passengers, injuring one female member of staff.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210120/p2a/00m/0na/020000c
serendipitous1
Could accommodate his request by just keeping him in solitary confinement where he wouldn't need to wear a mask!
GenHXZ
These, mostly male, 40 - 60yr olds are displaying their insecurities by this behaviour. If he refused to pay taxes he would be in the slammer pretty quick!
JerseyDevil
They had one in a super market, with no mask, sounding like he was about to cough up a lung, and the others around him ignored him. I got out of there with the quickness.
Ma-Hu
Wait for him to test positive in 3 - 2 -
Rob-3
But what if he already has it and because his refusal to wear a mask passes it on? Wearing a mask or some sort of face covering is no guarantee that you will not catch or pass it to others. It will, however, reduce the likelihood of catching or passing it onto others.
JerseyDevil
"causing a ruckus on his ejection, he allegedly injured the arm of a flight attendant."
What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away
cleo
Nothing wrong with that.
Buy yourself a better mask?
In all countries, in the middle of a pandemic like now, not wearing a mask is a sign that you are a selfish plonker.
ushosh123
Click baiting under those circumstances is pretty funny I must say. The guy has the "staying on brand" down pat. Not sure about the branding itself though.
Ah_so
A particularly rare occurrence in Japan. In some countries, not wearing a mask is a sign that you are free and not socialist, or some random reason like that.
rgcivilian1
Holding on to what you believe and not supporting your actions via legal means are not the same. Unfortunately there is a real life threat pandemic ongoing and while the mask is not 100% safe proof, it and proper washing, healthy diet, plenty of rest and exercise, wearing a mask increase your chances of survival and everyone around you. Please put the mask on not for his own worth but for ours.
Attilathehungry
It is actually a bit paraniod of the airline to make an unscheduled landing over something so minor though. Just finish the flight, they were within probably a half hour of their destination anyway, then put the recalcitrant dude on their No Fly list. From what I have read, airplanes are actually quite safe from the virus spreading.
Plus, is the airline's policy actually that strict? I thought that Japanese airlines merely requested passengers wear masks, not made it a condition of carriage.
Hiro
There is a saying: things that don't bend get broken. It would be awfully stupid of him to go to jail for such a silly thing. If you aren't flexible in life, you will be a very annoying person to be with. There is such thing as compromise in life.
kurisupisu
I see plenty of 30-40 year old guys not wearing masks-it’s a macho thing ?
snowymountainhell
Maybe it's all a misunderstanding. Maybe he's misplaced his mask.
I think I saw one hanging on a blue magnet on the conference room white board.
didou
Is there any law in Japan requiring to wear a mask ?
I have never heard about it.
Sceptical
Why don't they give him what he wants. If he catch covid-19 then leave him unattended in a cell. There are 15,000+ people waiting in line to be admitted in hospitals.
Penfold
Common etiquette would suggest that at the very least it’s best to keep wearing the mask in crowded places until all the “at risk” people have been given the opportunity to get jab.
Runtu DaHilz
@vanityofvanities
True. About 6 years ago, I taught some lunchtime/early afternoon discussion classes at Todai (Tokyo U). The students weren't really above average uni students, intelligence-wise. There are some things that make them different though. They can be opinionated, stubborn, individualistic, confident, and think outside the box. I didn't have to prod the students to get them to speak up and share their opinions at all. I was just concerned about the students being rude to one another by stepping on other's opinions.
Kazuaki Shimazaki
cleoToday 05:45 pm JST
It doesn't, not quite. But I'll admit I'm wearing them as little as society allows me to. I'm not sure if I'm breathing in COVID. I am definitely breathing in the cheap fibres from that cheap mask, and I'm sure it won't improve my lungs.
Abbey
Let him have his short moment of fame , he has nothing else by the looks of it.
And while he is in police custody, throw him in solitary.
spektral
he's already arrested so I guess he figured he can't get more arrested than he already is xD
he obviously doesn't give a da*n about anything anymore...lol
Mr Kipling
Simple solution... Follow the rules or solitary confinement and no food, washing, change of clothes or contact of any kind until he agrees. For the safety of others.
Fighto!
He is a dropkick and a loser. At least he is now in the place he belongs, though. Hopefully will remain in solitary.
Luddite
Solitary confinement then.
cleo
No, if you catch covid from some fool who refuses to wear a mask and end up either not breathing at all (dead) or with severely-compromised long-term health, then all is lost.
Wearing a mask doesn't stop you breathing.
Okuna is a plonker.
commanteer
Gotta give him credit. I don't much like the guy, but he is sticking to his beliefs even in jail. Respect.
porto
Of course he refused. That's his thing.
vanityofvanities
Not all the graduates of Tokyo University are smart. He studied law at the university.