crime

Police detain 15-year-old boy over Agnes Chan death threats

29 Comments

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said Thursday they have detained a 15-year-old boy over death threats against show business personality Agnes Chan.

Fuji TV reported that on Sept 21, investigators searched the residence of the student in Akishima City, Tokyo, on suspicion of posting the death threats.

The youth has reportedly admitted to posting a message on Twitter in which he said that he would "use a knife to slash Chan to ribbons on September 21," along with similar threats. Police quoted him as saying, "I couldn't stand seeing her engaging in charitable activities while she herself enjoys such an affluent lifestyle."

Police confiscated the youth's iPhone they believe was used to post the threats, and are collecting evidence in preparation for filing formal charges.

Chan told reporters, "Coming just before my scheduled concert in Osaka, I was shocked, and also deeply hurt to hear that the poster was a 15-year-old youth. As the police investigation is still ongoing, I'll wait and see what develops before commenting further."

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


29 Comments
Login to comment

Mirai and Lovespam: why does this surprise you? She's a well-loved celebrity and a foreign national to boot. Even if were a Japanese person, you think there would be no media coverage and outrage if it were a victim of AKB threatened? There would be MORE.

In any case the kid's a nut. Why would you be against a person living an opulent lifestyle helping with charitable events? Shouldn't you be more worried about the rich who do NOTHING and are out of touch with those in need?

19 ( +26 / -8 )

“I couldn’t stand seeing her engaging in charitable activities while she herself enjoys such an opulent lifestyle.”

Why pick on her? There are other bigger fish in the ocean? There has to be more about it than just this.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

In any case the kid's a nut. Why would you be against a person living an opulent lifestyle helping with charitable events? Shouldn't you be more worried about the rich who do NOTHING and are out of touch with those in need?

Maybe because she is not Japanese and he is jealous or something? I mean look at Tetsuko Kuroyanagi she lives an "opulent And a Goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, kid COULD have picked on some even more famous in Japan than Agnes, so I would say there has to be more behind this kids mis-aligned brain.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Good job, police.

Don't make the same mistake we have in the US: Treat threats made online with the same severity as threats made offline.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@TheGodfatherSEP. 24, 2015 - 04:30PM JST "I was shocked, and also deeply hurt to hear that the poster was a 15-year-old youth" A 15-year-old youth who will grew up watching "child porn" and will turn into be a very dangerous man. Well done Agnes. You are the saviour of Japan!!! :-D

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Where you got info this kid grew up watching child porno/? Why there is no explanation about your claim? Maybe you'd better report your knowledge about this kid to authority to expedite their investigation,

6 ( +9 / -3 )

We should applaud her success and also for her caring heart to help charities and the 15 year old kid missed a good spanking when growing up. What the family produce, the world receives.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

and are collecting evidence in preparation for filing formal charges

Before releasing him to his parents with a warning....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I'd say it's more to the fact this 15 year old probably likes his lolicon hentai which Ms Chan is against.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

A schoolboy? Really? Blimey... that's shocking.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said Thursday they have detained a 15-year-old boy over death threats against show business personality Agnes Chan.

I never thought the poster would be such a young boy. Hope this gives Agnes Chan a sense of relief, though insensibly.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I sounds as jealously between the have and have not.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@smithinjapan

Even if were a Japanese person, you think there would be no media coverage and outrage if it were a victim of AKB threatened? There would be MORE.

Very true. The more famous and popular the person the more coverage the perpetrator knows it will get in the media. Notoriety promotes the attention of the disaffected. This isn't anything new. The Internet just makes it so easy the person does not have to physically stalk someone or even lick a stamp to communicate to the victim. It can all be done from the comfort of home over their computer. It also makes it more likely for someone to send a threat that they may not have transmitted if it were a bit more difficult to do. The threat can be sent impulsively leaving no time to think it over and reconsider the consequences.

Why would you be against a person living an opulent lifestyle helping with charitable events?

You are thinking logically.

Don't make the same mistake we have in the US: Treat threats made online with the same severity as threats made offline.

Easier said than done. This would be very hard for the police to do. First they would have to monitor the Internet for threats - which is not an easy thing to do. Then they need to have the resources to track down all of the people that can so easily and impulsively threaten others. It would be easier if the police only did this for famous people. But shouldn't the not-so-famous also get the same protection? This puts the police in a no win situation unless you want a"police-state".

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Police quoted him as saying, “I couldn’t stand seeing her engaging in charitable activities while she herself enjoys such an affluent lifestyle.”

@PeaceOut and @toshiko - You will need to reread the original article. The police quote does not repeat the original threats...

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/police-investigate-online-death-threat-against-agnes-chan#comment_2060005

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Irony is...Ms. Chan is helping to defend children from the World's evils, and she was threatened by one of them.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@The Godfather:

In Japan psychiatric evaluations are conducted for juveniles who have been subject to a Family Court adjudications. This is provided as a protective measure in order to give them correctional education programs. There are four types of juvenile training schools. Primary, middle, special, and medical. Each one is categorized by age levels of criminal tendency, and physical and mental conditions of juveniles. They also have three different types of treatment programs. A short-term program has a maximum term of six month detention. The special short-term program has a maximum term of four months and the long-term program has a maximum term of two years detention. Males and females are detained separately. The types of schools are decided by Family Court Hearings.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

iphone is evidence, It includes eMails? right --- police has right to confisticate.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I agree with the boy. Craritable activities are nothing but another distribution channel for marketing entertaiment products. There are other channels to express your opinions, don't thread anybody please.

And have you done anything charitable recently mentapoleo?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I was just wondering how they found him so fast. Companies must be coughing up all kinds of information for police, eh?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ADK99 - "He's allowed to be into 15-year-olds if he's 15!"

I am assuming that "child porn" doesn't involve 15-year olds... I am assuming that the abused children are much, much younger... if not babies!! :-(

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Michael Craig - "Ms. Chan is helping to defend children from the World's evils, and she was threatened by one of them."

It is obviously too late for this guy. The abused turns into an abuser... It's a well-known cycle... :-(

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@TheGodfather Thanks. Yes, he did mention child porn. But why? Was it to throw the police off? Was it a serious gripe of his? Or was it in recognition that at least overseas, teenagers are being arrested for production of child porn by taking pictures of themselves plus facing charges of distribution for sexting that to their boyfriend or girlfriend, then both getting charged with possession? Don't say it won't start happening in Japan. Japan is always late to the ballgame, for better or worse.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

“I couldn’t stand seeing her engaging in charitable activities while she herself enjoys such an opulent lifestyle.”

No, that doesn't sound like a rehearsed excuse at all. (rolls eyes)

This kid obviously has other things on his mind. Clearly, knowing not to make death threats from your own phone wasn't one of them.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I agree with the boy. Craritable activities are nothing but another distribution channel for marketing entertaiment products. There are other channels to express your opinions, don't thread anybody please.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What would be appropriate for a young teenager in this situation is to have a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation since he has a emotional and or behavior problem. After the evaluation we would develop a formulation that describes his problem. This formulation combines biological, psychological, and social parts of the problem with developmental needs, history,and strengths of the child, adolescent and family. In the end we explain them in terms that the parent and child can understand. We should never judge a human being for having a emotional and or behavior problem and treat them with respect and dignity. Be grateful you don't suffer from any emotional and or behavior problem.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"I was shocked, and also deeply hurt to hear that the poster was a 15-year-old youth"

A 15-year-old youth who will grew up watching "child porn" and will turn into be a very dangerous man.

Well done Agnes. You are the saviour of Japan!!! :-D

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

Who is Agnes Chan Anyway? never heard of her.

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

@Novenachama - "What would be appropriate for a young teenager in this situation is to have a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation since he has a emotional and or behavior problem."

Didn't you know that Japan doesn't do mental illness? If they did half the country would be locked up!! :-D

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Mirai Hayashi, sadly you are right.

-6 ( +6 / -11 )

If it were anyone else being threaten, no one would have given a rat's behind...but if its Anges Chan, then the whole Jpolice brigade goes on red alert.

-9 ( +8 / -16 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites