AustPaul comments

@Burning bush, 4 dead in the middle of Australia's second largest city...on all the news here, so would expect it to make global news too. JT seems to have a lot of other stories that often seem less globally significant.

Thanks Tamarama, you took the words out of my mouth.

@quirkyJapan, care to elaborate on those comments? As stated this is a discussion fora and in the years I've been a member I don't believe we stick our noses into things or control the comments as you state.

Whaling is a topic of great significance in this country, and yes, it feels like a slap in the face in light of the ICJ ruling.

Poor guy, but I doubt doctors can reattach his leg Hawkeye

@Frank, agree..who cares how long the trains were disrupted for, geez, if that happened here yes people may be inconvenienced and frustrated but if they knew the cause then I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue.

Good work on the part of the officer but I don't agree with firing warning shots, that's a recipe for disaster.

He could just as easily shouted a clear intention to use his firearm unless impracticable. Dcog, police shoot to stop the threat, it's not all about shooting to wound or kill.

Yes, 90yen off the price is not a huge saving. Annual driving tests are a good idea as well perhaps offer discounted or in the case of here in Australia, free public transport for senior citizens.

Pt 2 ..refugee crisis. I think Japan still needs to be doing more in this regard, seem to be a few posters on JT who have been outside of their birth countries for a bit too long to be out of touch with things. Not suggesting an open door policy but a system more commensurate with an economy and member of the international community like Japan - 27 out of 14,000? That's disgraceful.

Whilst Australia's system has become stricter it is still considered fair and I'd like to say we are doing our bit to help with the worldwide rec

Yes- Snakes on a train! Yikes!!

Ron, what kind of a comment is that? Are you saying that our involvement in Syria, which is a minor one, is to blame for this? A bit more to it than that..

FYI this country has accepted up to 12,000 refugees from the region.

sfjp330 at Apr. 29, 2016 - 02:53PM JST I'm clueless on the subject? Having lived here for a number of years I dispute that.

The point I was trying to make is that it doesn't do much for Japan's international image when an immigration policy is seen in a negative light. Can you imagine how that would be perceived elsewhere?

Yes, I know Japan is quite homogenous, but the world is changing.

Here we go again..perhaps Japan could take a leaf out of other countries books and develop an immigration policy once and for all. It could have a quota system with preference given to skilled workers. Make the conditions attractive for people - housing assistance, language classes, options for permanent residency after a certain period.

It's been happening abroad for many years now, why can't Japan have a go at it, even on a small scale? It's 2016, time to step up to the world stage.

If this was reported abroad, it would make Japan seem xenophobic, not a good look for a nation looking to welcome more foreign visitors to its shores.

@ Bongoboy - do you think making it illegal will stop people?? It was decriminalised in Australia many years ago, I'd say many other countries wouldn't classify it as an offence.

@Brian - fair to say it was by his own hand. Don't think there is any evidence based on the article of foul play and yes, most modern firearms don't just 'go off' unless the trigger is pulled.

I do agree with others that the country needs to address this as a matter of urgency, it seems to happen far too often.

RIP, hope his family is supported

Perhaps the father should have enlisted the help of Police and mental health experts?

Not a good look for a country hoping to attract more foreign tourists as well as hosting the Olympics in 2020.

If this was reported overseas then I'm sure Abe's government would go into damage control...

Australia is a sovereign state and we will decide on matters of national security without interference of other nations...

Pretty sure that's what the Chinese would say..

Geography lesson - Sydney is not the capital!

Canberra decides which bid to go with not Sydney.

At the end of the day we'll choose the best tender, Don't care much for what China says... We are a sovereign nation too :)

Smith, I'm with you on this one. Killing your children because you can't cope with their upbringing is deplorable. And I don't believe suffering depression makes you unable to differentiate between right or wrong. Bare in mind she obviously knew what she did was wrong as she handed herself in to the Police. This would resonate with anyone who has children of their own. RIP little ones.

I lived there for about 6 years in the late 90's but never got stopped by the Police, although it seems many are.

I think the issue really is why are foreigners in general being stopped? Why are they still being fingerprinted? It doesn't happen in most other countries I am aware of and is not really good PR for the Police if it is for no apparent reason...

Treat others how you would like to be treated..?

Admirable man, I hope he gets due recognition in Japan. Can I assume there are adequate support services in Japan to assist with people contemplating suicide? JT, perhaps such information could be placed at the end of such articles?

Noble713

Public roads are not meant for people to drag each other on, regardless of whether they aren't drinking or running red lights. That thinking is a bit naive isn't it? You want to race and drive like an idiot? Go to a racetrack as you mentioned..

From what I have read here and heard from others the system sounds absolutely disgraceful. Iron beard, did your embassy assist you in any way? I'm sure the western media would have been interested in a story like this.

Before anyone says 'it's the system in Japan..' bare in mind that it does not look good for Japan on the international stage. I think it's high time for Japan to get with the rest of the world on many issues.

Now I see why there is apparently a '99%' conviction rate! Most likely Duress!

It's happened a few times here in Australia with some Japanese caught trying to smuggle wildlife out. I'm hoping the Thais will send the rught message to stop any future attempts.

I don't see any issues with it, good on them! Protect and serve and keep fit whilst doing it!

Jake Search warrants are a tool to assist an investigation and there must be reasonable suspicion that something exists on those premises before a magistrate or judge can issue a warrant. Not every warrant results in someone getting locked up at the end of it.

As far as what set off the gunman, we may never know. The raids were a few months back now of which I don't think he was a part of, but bear in mind that his appeal to the High Court the week before to have his conviction for postal harassment charges overturned had failed.

Our nation has suffered a bit over the last week and a half and as far as the reputation of the Police and the 'state', I'd say the public is right behind them.

My two cents worth

@ disillusioned...

Are you serious? Why were you 'detained' if you reported it? I'm a bit confused about that, you were a witness and should technically be free to leave whenever you wish.....Oops, maybe in Japan you are 'detained' for questioning too...

Ridiculous..

It's 2014 Japan...

With theOlympics a few years down the track the central govt should nip this sort of thing in the bud now. Not a good look for Japan in the eyes of the world

@SamuraiBlue Where did you read this? I agree there weren't many Japanese POWs in Australia (about 2,200 in late 1944) but not sure if there was a 'take no prisoners policy' at the time....

Absolutely deplorable. I cannot imagine such a thing happening here.

Here there are child abuse sections of most state police forces which would have got the referral to investigate signs of abuse. Surely they would have something similar in Japan?

RIP little man

Haven't seen anything on the TV here about this... Budgie, aren't foreigners in Japan afforded the same rights as locals? I mean Japanese do overseas to a certain extent.

Well the burden of proof lies with the prosecution does it not? Not surprised he refuses to talk as I'm sure most crooks would be the same if faced with similar charges

Hopefully the police can make a good case against him