Tokyo man arrested for 'putting curse' on school kids

This story is being presented by SoraNews as a wacky Japan thing when it's obviously far more serious than that.

Agreed. The reporting seems a bit off, given the nature of the crime.

If he does have mental health issues, the last thing the media should be doing is making a joke about it.

I can totally understand his feeling but I wouldn't do what he did.

I do wonder why unemployed people are so denigrated and demonised here.

I wasn't denigrating the unemployed. I was denigrating a certain type of middle-aged man we often see being paraded in front of the cameras, charged with some weird or creepy offence, frequently against young girls or children.

This story is being presented by SoraNews as a wacky Japan thing when it's obviously far more serious than that.

Would sympathise with the dude if these kids were his next door neighbours, not the case here. In fact, parks are probably THE one place where kids can well, be kids, and run around, play etc so no “Those kids running wild in the park are too noisy” bs.

Different story re noisy neighbours, noisy ppl in general at restos, cafes, on planes etc (kids or not), they're a pain in the A. Not kids' fault though, the pbm lies with their entitled/selfish parents.

Yeah a hung doll over a bridge with an intimidating threat aimed at your children is not on. The other stuff is understandable but the doll is over the top and creates a creepy and unsafe atmosphere in the neighbourhood

"Inaba is facing charges of criminal intimidation which, considering his supernatural method, seems a little excess."

I'm a free speech warrior to be honest but this to me is "criminal intimidation" at the very least and probably constitutes a death threat. The fact that it was aimed at children by an adult should count as special circumstances. If there can be hate speech laws that cover speech against a group of people then why not death threats against children? You could tack on a littering charge for good measure. Really this guy needs some psychological help. I fear that may not be in the process he is looking at right now though.

Forget charges for "intimidation" and curses, the man threatened the children and should be charged as such. It's ridiculous the corners they'll cut to protect these lunatics and then ask why people aren't having kids and/or bend to communities who refuse to allow much-needed daycares centers to be built. The man should also have to forfeit his pension (not like we'll have any in the future anyway), as should any and all like him who refuse to encourage children in the area. Without them, there will be no future. This "noisy" crap should be found out first hand in prison.

Very much in the mold of the typical unemployed middle aged man living at home with his parents

I do wonder why unemployed people are so denigrated and demonised here. People in employment commit crimes, too. Doesn't mean all of them are wrong 'uns.

bald, bad haircut, all black clothes

The horror, the horror!

not someone you'd want anywhere near young children.

Clearly; given his behaviour. But nothing to do with his lack of hair, his clothes, age or employment details.

What proof do they have that this "voodoo" actually worked? No one died so its completely rubbish I say. These laws need to be looked into and adjusted a great deal.

I saw this guy on the news when he was arrested last week. Very much in the mold of the typical unemployed middle aged man living at home with his parents: bald, bad haircut, all black clothes, one eye taking the money the other one giving the change (as they say in Glasgow). Very creepy looking guy, not someone you'd want anywhere near young children.

@DaDude: I hear you, I think old Japanese people think children should act like cats. The country is ruled by old people and if they have their way there will be no one living in Japan.

A straw doll? I think the man is innocent. There is a fourth season of #HellGirl anime and the straw doll is used to send people to hell. I assess that one of the kids did this. There is a brand new season and a lot of the younger kids are carrying these dolls.

If the straw dolls are sold in stores, should they also be removed for fear of being used in situations like this?

People who make threats to others, whether by straw dolls or online postings need a visit from the police; no doubt about it.

Just another example of hatred/heartlessness towards children.

I have some side classes at the local community center for children. It is free to rent so I of course take advantage of the space. The first floor consists of carpeted rooms with good space to run around. I had been teaching downstairs for like 5 years then a senior hula class came in next door.

Immediately they went straight to front desk to complain about the sound of children talking in the halls. So I told the mothers for the children to walk quietly in the halls. The next week the class complained about footstep sounds so my class was moved upstairs to a far corner room with no carpet but high tables. That didn't work, that class complained about kids talking/playing outside in the yard. Now it is too the point that kids have to tiptoe from the parking lot to the classroom.

One thing I never got used to here was people complaining indirectly about something or through a letter

I saw that on the TV news. They still sell those straw voodoo dolls in novelty shops and online.

Ugh monster neighbours. Used to live next door to a nutter who would smack our windows with her slippers whenever things didn't please her. She mostly complained about the sound of the vacuum cleaner, and the beeping of the washing machine and microwave. We moved.

I totally agree with clamenza; the cops did the right thing arresting him. If they don't and he goes ahead and does something bad, I can bet everyone will be saying "but the cops didn't do anything to prevent this even he had a history scaring the kids, graffiti, etc."

@Disillusioned,

Totally agree, I have a one above me , When I asked him about the loud noises he said, I don't know what you are talking about- then stated do you want to be enemies?. After calling the police about his loud stomping on the thin cement floors (old BLDG) he on purpose increased the stomping and banging with freq, and volume (early morning, midday, and late night), The flops did nothing. Once I thought he would break through the floor. When ever I see him he has a red alcohol face. I think he is trying to make me move. BTW no help from the apt mgmt -either: saying we all have to learn to live together. Now that I've shared my experience with others who can relate I feel better.

thanks

This is always going to be a problem in countries that offer their people freedom of expression. Some will use their freedoms to lash out at others and push the limits of those freedoms.

There are plenty of redneck, ingrate, nutters out there, living right next to you!

Redneck? Whose the ingrate nutter?

A stern warning would have sufficed. As usual, the Japanese reaction is either too lenient or too severe..

@Disillusioned - totally believable from experience.

“Those kids running wild in the park are too noisy.”

Please give this whacko a nice quiet prison cell to relax in for several years.

@Gogogo - There is a huge problem with monster neighbors in Japan. My downstairs neighbor called the police telling them I was using a chainsaw on my 2m square mansion balcony, which was in fact an electric drill that I only used for five minutes to drill ten holes in a guitar pick guard. The police came and wanted to search my house for a chainsaw. I couldn't stop laughing and kept saying, "Why the hell would I be using a chainsaw?" However, because my downstairs neighbor is Japanese they believed her and persisted I was using a chainsaw on my balcony. I invited the flops in and showed them what I was doing. They eventually apologised and left after harassing me for 20 minutes, but nothing was said to her about it. Be careful of your neighbors people. There are plenty of redneck, ingrate, nutters out there, living right next to you!

arrested for putting a curse on kids?!!

this has to be a joke.

If the police did nothing and then this man somehow completely lost it and some kids got hurt . Then the people will criticise the police for not taking action earlier. I guess the police thinks it is better be safe than sorry.

I had the same issue where I live, people complained about "noisy kids".... I then complained about doors slamming, yelling, music playing, noisy cars and bikes, talking in the hallways.... the sign quickly went down.

Pre-Halloween prank?

Its akin to a death threat. The police were correct in arresting this lunatic.

arrested for putting a curse on kids?!!

this has to be a joke.