Stewart Gale comments

It’s funny here, whenever there is an murder case people immediately credit it the yakuza. Like the average Japan Today below the line commentator knows all about Japanese organised crime......

In this story’s case, there are plenty of local, Everyman nutters who would dismember a body in this way.

“For these 2 SOBs... justice will be in prison when they are introduced to their 250lb cellmates.”

Regarding sentencing; it’ll be interesting to see what they get. Someone was remarking here the other day how lightly vehicular manslaughter seems to be treated.

A few schoolboy errors there.

He’s in the right country for that legal defence. I wonder if he reads this website.

There are so many do-gooders/narks/grasses in Japan, it’s unbelievable. It’s one aspect of society here I really can’t stand

Could the shopkeeper not just have warned the guy face to face he would call the cops if it happened again?

I’m sure he would have got the message.

Smart kid, only he’s not a kid except in the eyes of Japanese law.

@Bububu4

There is no way Mari Mobility has made anywhere close to millions, unless you mean yen.

I have done karting with them in Tokyo, it’s definitely not a large, upscale operation.

Brilliant fun though, I loved it and hope to do it again.

I don’t know the place but I know these types when I read about them.

You can’t even buy a drink from a vending machine now without being filmed.....

I’m going to speculate here that the teacher is a domineering bully and the student is a yankee good for nothing punk.

Complete speculation and conjuncture but I wouldn’t be surprised if I was right.

Paint thinner?

Just say no to solvents.

They’ve been busted for this crime yet they volunteer a confession for a further 399 crimes. Why would anyone do that?

I'll never understand these "have a go heroes" who risk their lives for the multi-million dollar corporation they are employed on a part-time basis for. 

It's complete folly.

They should be out catching the real criminals and punishing them properly (unlike what happend with the perverted elementary school teacher) rather than wasting everyone's time coming after pot smokers.

Thank you repeated constantly on a loop?  And people wonder why Japanese people sometimes flip out and go postal....

The authorities really don't take sex crime seriously in Japan which is disgraceful.

It's hard to argue the death penalty isn't an appropriate sentence in this heinous case. I don't think the world will be a worse place without this person.

For once I respect the actions of a Japanese police officer.

My wife's mother met the deceased once. Years ago she threw away a letter with her address on it and this guy (a complete stranger) found it, turned up at her door and started berating her for allowing someone to find her address.

She said he seemed completely mental.

He's using the 'I don't remember' line.

He's admitting to drink driving, then.....?

I had Hulu a few years ago then cancelled it when I got Netflix.

Netflix is way better.

It's strange how many killers immediately turn themselves in to the police in cases like these.

@Tina Watanabe & Robert Maes

There is a big difference between having the random Japanese public holidays off plus Golden Week, Obon and New Year and being able to take your own days off in a block at a time of your choosing.

Everyone is off at the same time at Golden Week and Obon; prices for travel sky rocket, availability is more limited and the highways and attractions are rammed with cars and people.

If you are able to take 7 days off in February, for example travel is much more reasonably priced and pleasant.

This whole work/life/leisure balance problem Japan has is frustrating and infuriating to witness.