crime

Fukui man arrested for landing drone on roof of Abe's office

57 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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57 Comments
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Yet another own goal by extreme Abe-haters. If only they were rational and calm, people would be more eager to listen to what they have to say. Bad, bad, bad, strategy. Always.

-13 ( +10 / -22 )

He probably went to the Fukushima area and picked up the "sample" in the environment somewhere.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

@sensei258

His personal blog showing his detailed "radiation drone" plan has already gone viral over the Internet if you want to dig deeper.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Free-pass to jail

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

I think of it as a little Civil Disobedience. No harm, no foul, no crime.

19 ( +23 / -5 )

What law did he break precisely? I'd be interested to know. There are no laws governing drones, nor was the "radiation drone" carrying sufficient radiation to require a license (or we'd all need a license to carry bananas).

I suppose they could get him for illegal dumping, but then they'd be chasing every kid who lost a frisbee up a tree.

If he broke no laws then release the guy.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

They'll probably go with the default: Wasting police time, which is keisatsu-ese for "Whaaaaa!"

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Why would he turn himself in?

He's prob a hero to some japanese. And he prob could have stirred up more political tension with other innovative exploits. What statement was claimed by the drone stunt: Abe is "touchable".

1 ( +5 / -4 )

If the guy hadn't turned himself in, I bet the cops still wouldn't know who did it.

"The government has set up a taskforce to compile a legal framework for the use of small drones"

So all they have on him is violation of the gomi laws - the drone is just gomi illegally dumped on a roof, lol.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

What law did he break precisely? I'd be interested to know. There are no laws governing drones, nor was the "radiation drone" carrying sufficient radiation to require a license (or we'd all need a license to carry bananas).

@Frungy

I have read various accounts in the past decades of Japan's various extremist groups launching projectiles at certain targets such as the Imperial Palace grounds and U.S. military bases (I read about one such incident in a government document released through WikiLeaks recently).

I would guess this incident might be prosecuted under similar laws banning potential airborne threats, carrying fairly stiff penalties. Still, I hope this is treated as civil disobedience, which it obviously was, with a light or no penalty.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What law did he break precisely? I'd be interested to know.

It's very predictable. They will charge him with 'Obstruction of Business' (Art. 234 of the Penal Code). It's the catch all offence that everyone in Japan ends up getting charged with when nothing else will stick. Train gropers, up skirt photo takers, protestors, people boarding whaling ships, students posting exam questions online, company whistleblowers ...everyone charged with 'obstruction of business'.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

He should be getting new Lexus from government for showing vulnerability in Abe security....

2 ( +5 / -3 )

He shouldn't have turned himself in... It was an excellent idea to scare the pants off Abe... He's been scaring all of us with his threats to return to nuclear power...

4 ( +9 / -5 )

They will most likely charge him with wasting police time and creating a public disturbance plus trespassing and even potentially endangering government officials. If they want to make an example out of him. Or they could simply let him go with a trespassing fine or warning and let it be.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Man turns himself in to Fukui police, saying he landed drone at Abe's office

The question is why he turned himself in. I'm sure he could've remained at large for quite some time, perhaps indefinitely. The police didn't even know who they were looking for yet. I have to say his use of the drone was rather amusing

0 ( +5 / -5 )

It would be strange, but not unexpected, if they charge him with "obstruction of business". Since they knew nothing about the drone at the time it landed and for some time after it's hard to see what business it allegedly obstructed, but facts never prevent one being found guilty in the Japanese "justice" system.

If they try to claim the radiation carried by the drone is dangerous they will have to explain why similar amounts are deemed safe to eat by Abe.

Meanwhile, fascists can parade around calling for people to be killed and that isn't obstructing anyone's business, seeing as the police stand around doing nothing.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@Christopher Glen

Again, this guy has a blog where he tells the world what he's done. With pictures of that very drone. It's a shame that major media is always way behind some bored netizens (often times 2ch residents.) His blog has been viral quite a while now. So, yes, he probably made a right move.

http://guerilla47.blog.fc2.com

7 ( +8 / -1 )

An extremist Abe-hater like you can find them en-masse on JT. Irrational, selfish behavior driven by his hate which disregards the safety of unrelated people. This is how terrorists are born. He might be a 'harmless' case but there are many like him who would be willing to cause more trouble.

It's about time that drones get banned. There are just to many nasty things an ill-intended person can do with them.

-12 ( +6 / -17 )

The man arrested was charged with "forcible obstruction of business". (業務妨害容疑).

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Many are asking 'Why did he turn himself in?'

It could be because in Japan turning oneself in is a sign of self reflection; that the act was wrong. The courts will go easier on sentencing and, maybe the paranoia / stress of 'them' knowing breached his resolve.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@CrazyJoe. Thanks for the confirmation.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

so was he jailed for a no drones here parking fine or what is the charge exactly?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sf: No one has been jailed yet and as 2,345,567,885,123.4 posters have already written, he's been charged with 業務妨害容疑.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I wonder if this guy was one of the 50% of people that don't vote.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Actually it's a bit stronger than that.

The word 'forcible' in CrazyJoe's post and in the article above in Japanese is 威力 Iryoku, which the Police have stuck on the front of the charge, so in full it is "Iryoku gyomu bogai" 威力業務妨害. (+ 容疑Yogi, = suspicion of.)

Mr Yamamoto seems to have accepted this charge quite happily, as indeed he has been open about every detail of his plans and actions over the months on his blog.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@sf2k

Basically, in Japan it's a criminal offence to interfere with anything even remotely related to commercial activity. For example, if the cleaning contractors at the PM's office had to stop cleaning the roof for even a few minutes, then the offence is made out.

Penal Code Article 234

(Forcible Obstruction of Business)

A person who obstructs the business of another by force shall be dealt with in the same manner as prescribed under the preceding Article. (Imprisonment with work for not more than 3 years or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen.)

Many civil liberties groups have criticised this law. It is ambiguous and catches literally every activity you can imagine. However, part of the reason that Art.234 exists is because intentional trespass to land is not a crime in Japan, it's a purely civil issue.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

A very clever and dedicated person. If he hid in the shadows, his message may have died. Now he puts the government in a catch 22. If they ignore him, they look weak and incompetent. If they charge him on bogus charges, which would be their only option, they look overbearing and lawless. Plus his message will be repeated, and repeated again when it goes to court. I salute this man for taking it to the man. He speaks for me.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

CGB Spender: "An extremist Abe-hater like you can find them en-masse on JT. Irrational, selfish behavior driven by his hate which disregards the safety of unrelated people. This is how terrorists are born. He might be a 'harmless' case but there are many like him who would be willing to cause more trouble"

Ah, bitter again, I see. The guy is not a JT poster nor an Abe hater, but against restarting NPPs. He may hate Abe for that reason, but you intentionally saying JT posters 'like him' are akin to terrorists and what not, and don't pretend you weren't, is just silly. Many posters here who aren't busy holding their ankles when Abe is around also want drones banned -- or at least some laws made and enforced in terms of their usage, so you can stop with the unrelated foolishness. It really undermines your posts.

About making the charges, though, they would be hard-pressed to charge him with anything serious, save for the cesium in the bottle. THAT can lead to some serious charges, but with no laws against use of drones they can only twist current laws to apply, as with the 'interfering with business'. I doubt it was intetional, but the guy's actually created a bit of a legal quandry for the government. If they insist on charging him with terrorism or endangerment or anything like that they have to admit that the cesium from the Fukushima area presents a very real danger. Admitting that would mean all sorts of other headaches for them.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

What was he charged with? The water is "safe" according to the government.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Obstruction of business? More like criminal damage.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

CGB Spender is one of the small number of objective-view posters in JT which is infested with lots of Japan-haters. Japan is lucky to have a person like CGB Spender.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

An interesting thing about this incident is, if he did get the radioactive sand from Fukushima Prefecture, as reported by some press outlets, then how much more radiation is there in that radioactive-wasted area? Abe-san and his ilk keep saying that Fukushima is safe ... but if a mere citizen can swoop in and collect nuclear waste in the contents of some sand, this man is showing that Abe and his cronies are feeding us a bunch of lies.

The drone landing on the prime minister's unguarded roof is just a minor thing as compared to what is going on at that destroyed nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture ...

3 ( +5 / -2 )

This is one of the most ridiculous laws in Japan.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The government has set up a taskforce to compile a legal framework for the use of small drones and ensure the security of key government facilities.

Um. Japan's typical confusing and delayed response to the crisis. They should have taken the initiative in forming the task force before this would happen.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

As Fukui Prefecture, one of Japan's smallest prefectures, houses around a quarter of Japan's nuclear power plants, including the idiotic Monju, I am surprised it took this long for one of its residents to act.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Interesting how such a minor infractioN has created such an unbalanced reaction.

Particularly when it is weighed against the damage done to the environment.

The scientific reality is any large scale increase in terrestrial alpha, beta and gamma radiation exposure - such as at Fukushima has enriched soils and water with radioactive nuclei, including plutonium, resulting in an undeniable effect on our biosphere for eons.

All this man has done is peacefully draw attention to the willful blindness of the Japanese leadership, in doing so has broken some overvalued code carried by those at apex of power.

What load of stiff necked fools are running such a great country. ...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Typical Japan overreact to the smallest incident.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Mr Yasuo Yamamoto should be applauded for bringing to our attention the ongoing radioactive releases of radiation in Fukushima Prefecture.It is an issue that is being swept under the carpet whilst countries from Taiwan to Russia are refusing to accept Japanese goods based on dangerous levels of radiation released from the Fukushima site. At this moment I am watching a program about the benefits of green tea from Shizuoka Prefecture where unfortunately high levels of cesium have been found in green tea. France has rejected green tea due to high levels of radiation yet here we are being shown how 'delicious' it is! Mr Yamamoto has shown just how widespread the radiation is when a substance that is usually found in nuclear reactors can be collected by an ordinary person!

I sincerely hope that the government of Japan is immensely ashamed of itself by this incident.................

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hat's off to Mr. Yasuo Yamamoto! A simple act of civil disobediants, no one harmed and he managed to bring attention back to Fukushima and nuclear issues. Proof that even one man or woman's actions can make a differance.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Amazing how many are rushing to call a hero this man who posted pictures of a rifle toting man in camouflage, and refers to himself as a terrorist on his blog. And if his drone, which he seems to have lost control of, had landed on someone's head and killed them, would you still be so ready to praise him?

This comment could only have been made by someone who obviously hasn't been paying attention over the course of many years.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Educator60: Can you point out how many posters are calling him a hero?? Or describe what actions he has done, that makes him a terrorist? Just because I appreciate what he did, does not mean I know or support everything about his personal life.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Talk about a non-crime. He sent "a message in a bottle", albeit in a technogically advanced manner. I'm referring only to this act, not to the person.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Since they knew nothing about the drone at the time it landed and for some time after it's hard to see what business it allegedly obstructed, but facts never prevent one being found guilty in the Japanese "justice" system.

The doofus put a radiation symbol on the bottle the drone was carrying. As soon as that was noted, you can bet the entire building was evacuated for a time. Thus, "forcible obstruction of business".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

FadamorAPR. 27, 2015 - 11:02AM JST Since they knew nothing about the drone at the time it landed and for some time after it's hard to see what business it allegedly obstructed, but facts never prevent one being found guilty in the Japanese "justice" system.

The doofus put a radiation symbol on the bottle the drone was carrying. As soon as that was noted, you can bet the entire building was evacuated for a time. Thus, "forcible obstruction of business".

3 ( +3 / -0 )

You mean we have this "Forcible Obstruction of Business" catch-all law and no one has used it against the bosozoku yet?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Educator60APR. 26, 2015 - 09:59PM JST You said: Amazing how many are rushing to call a hero.

I asked you to point out how many posters are calling him a hero? You didn't, and now you've changed your wording completely. Please explain how this tiny drone is so dangerous? The radioactive material, was soil from the Fukushima area, do you have proof it was collected from within the exclusion zone? If not, that soil is considered safe by the Japanese government. Maybe you better look up the definition of terrorism, because his actions don't qualify.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe you better look up the definition of terrorism, because his actions don't qualify.

The radiation symbol was overkill for the amount of radioactivity in the bottle. He knew in advance the presence of the radiation symbol would cause fear in the people who found the drone. A synonym for "fear" is "terror". The man's actions were designed to cause fear/terror, therefore he is a terrorist and his action in spreading fear constitutes terrorism. He would have had much firmer ground to stand on had he just included a letter or something with the drone detailing his protest. But no. He had to include a bottle marked with a radiation symbol. He stepped over the line from "Protester" to "Terrorist".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fadamor: A synonym for "fear" is "terror". The man's actions were designed to cause fear/terror, therefore he is a terrorist and his action in spreading fear constitutes terrorism.

Ok, so by that stretch of imagination, I guess you think the makers of horror films are terrorist, because they are trying to cause fear. Or that all antinuclear protesters, who carry nuclear symbol signs, are causing fear, therefore they are terrorist to?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fadamor & Educator60

Is it so much to expect people to realise the word terrorism was not invented on September 11th 2001 and actually has a history of use to it, or is that too much to expect of the average reddit user?

The earliest use of the word terrorism identified by the Oxford English Dictionary was in 1795. Terrorism: Extraordinary violence against civilians to further a political cause.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Educator: You are aware that even words that have a long history do evolve and are used in more than one exact way?

< Of coarse, Im also aware of words being over used for military justifications or political agendas. "Axis of evil" , "WMDs" "War on terror" and so on! The word "Terrorist" to describe the actions of someone who didn't harm anyone nor did he intend to harm anyone, with this tiny drone, a sticker and soil, is just silly. He has been charged with obstruction of business, NOT terrorism. Maybe you missed that part.>

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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