Man arrested for threats to organizer of contentious Tokyo art event

Freedom of speech does exist in Japan, doesn’t it?

Freedom of speech does exist in Japan, doesn’t it?

Yes it does. It is about time that the law enforcement authorities took action against these pathetic right wing little thugs, instead of just bleating "This is Japan".

Is the timing that is bad in my opinion. Currently relationship is terrible with SK and as long the relationship isn't mended, trying to do these kind of art exhibition is kinda like throwing salt at the wound. They should have waited a bit more when the public opinion are more positive toward SK. But right now there is anger on both side,so it's a terrible idea to be pouring oil into the fire right now. It would do anyone any good if you ask me.

There is freedom of speech in Japan as long as everyone agrees with it.

kuripisu# Last time I checked badly veiled death threats were a crime in any modern nation.

It wouldn't be strange even if someone among you would die,"

Good to see there are some consequences to these keyboard warriors actions.

Hard for Japanese people to admit that they are wrong. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence.

kurisupisu

Freedom of speech does exist in Japan, doesn’t it?

It does, but it does not include death threats (cant think of any place where it does).

Takahiro must of went to one of those school like Moritomo Gakuen 学校法人森友学園 where they do nazi salutes and sing songs about killing chinese and korean ppl (fun fact: the honorary principal for Moritomo Gakuen was none other than Mr. Abe's wife!)

If they had just sent threatening emails and were caught for it, I think a minor charge would be in order. But that the person in question also sent firecrackers -- explosives -- on top of it warrants very serious criminal prosecution no top of the death threats.

Now, let's see what the punishment is... I suspect little to nothing, but would be very happy to be surprised.

And he send it from his mobile, veeeeery clever!!!

@Euro Dude

Japan will never admit it's WW1 and WW2 atrocities and don't want to accept as a "man" that they were the bad guys of history, on the same level as Nazis (to be honest there are not too many "MEN" in Japan, anyways...);

Appreciate if you could somehow elaborate atrocities Japan committed during WW1

@Euro Dude

they teach and educate their children that even the present Japanese people are the same as the ones dozens of years ago.

Well, at times it actually does seem that the Japanese mentality hasn't really changed since then...

Freedom of speech does exist in Japan, doesn’t it?

Theoretically speaking yes. In practice no.

Japan will never admit it's WW1 and WW2 atrocities and don't want to accept as a "man" that they were the bad guys of history, on the same level as Nazis (to be honest there are not too many "MEN" in Japan, anyways...);

While on the other hand, South Korea and China, will never move on and let history be history. Not while they teach and educate their children that even the present Japanese people are the same as the ones dozens of years ago....

Very well said. Agree 100%

Well, at times it actually does seem that the Japanese mentality hasn't really changed since then...

Absolutely.

And he send it from his mobile, veeeeery clever!!!

Most right wingers are anything BUT clever. If they were they wouldn't be right wingers.

@Euro Dude

You do realize that the Japanese fought on the side of the allies during World War I and played an important role in securing the sea lanes in the West Pacific and Indian Oceans against the Imperial German Navy, don't you?

Germany has somehow come to terms with its history. So did Russia, and the Soviet Union, although there is now revisionism and the covering up of everything "negative" by saying like "but there was work and it was safe. Why do you say EVERYTHING was bad! How about the USA and racism there!!!!!".

But here in Japan, it just isn't. Even several decades after the war there are similar people who feel the need to spew their hatred and make such threats. This country refuses to face and deal with its own history, instead it tries to push it forward, just keep pushing it forward.

And it doesn't matter what kind of statue it is, whether or not everything around it was true, etc. It's about the way the disagreement is expressed. Disagreement can be expressed in other ways, in a more sophisticated and, above all, more civilised way than this.

Hyogo and an envelope of fireworks = sullen Yak with a monkey on his back.

Idiots. There's no right nor left in denying fabricated narratives in history