12 Stabbed in Akihabara
UPDATE: Video below and more photos at Japan Probe , Iza and AkibaBlog. Truly saddening.
Hijacked from Coco The Bean. The myth of Japan being a safe place seems to be changing of late.
Original text from Coco below.
From Japan Today
---------------------------------------------------------
At least a dozen people, including a police officer, were injured and five fell unconscious Sunday after a knife-wielding man attacked them in broad daylight on a street in Tokyo’s Akihabara area, firefighters said.
The firefighters said the man slashed at pedestrians with a knife. Police said they detained a man around the scene of the incident that took place around 12:30 p.m. and that the detained man arrived at the scene by car and hit several pedestrians with the vehicle.
Akihabara is an electronics quarters of Tokyo known as a center of Japanese subculture, including manga and animation, attracting many visitors from Japan and abroad.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I heard the crime rate has been rising in Akihabara, but wow. Never would have expected this.
Picture is from a NHK broadcast and was posted on 4chan's /jp/
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流浪人
I hope those 12 people pull through...
C. Engineering Student
http://otaku.baywords.com
I second that.
Seriously, what's going on in Akiba these days?
medicine student & otaku
it's because of that Pantsu lady
NEET!
http://profiles.friendster.com/lightandglass
yeah right...pantsu made them mad and aggresive...~
XD
freelance digital artist
Feels like Akihabara is getting waaay more famous that even crazy tard peeps are swarming through bringing their plague to the community. I just hope the reasons of these tards are not because of some psychological effect of being sooo lonely that this is their answer to get some attention.
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
thats just sad. i might get flamed for this but if you look close enough at the picture you can see the blood spatter on the intersection.
must be a conspiracy out there to cast a bad light on Akiba
student, vexillologist
http://twitter.com/zscout370
If I am reading the clock, the crime happened on Sunday. Isn't the streets closed to vehicle traffic? If so, how did this car get through? I still will try and be in the area next month, but I can see why some folks are hesitating now.
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
i think the guy was on foot when he did it. and if you mean the emergency vehicles, come on buddy...
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
disregard that, CNN is reporting that the dude drove a truck through some pedestrians before going on a knifing rampage. I don't know if its accurate news though since another website is saying 14 people are injured
student, vexillologist
http://twitter.com/zscout370
When events happen quickly, it takes a while to get the numbers right. Shoot, people still toy around with the number of dead and injured of events in the past all of the time. I expect that once the hospitals and the police release figures, then the full picture can be seen.
Mad scientist
It's not that hard to figure out. Look at this photo http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3324192
The roadblock is to indicate that cars aren't allowed to pass. They are easy to move for the police and also cars that speeds up to get through them.
student, vexillologist
http://twitter.com/zscout370
Ok, this was exactly I wanted to know. I wonder if they will have to move to a retractable pylon system that I have seen in the States. What it is that the pylons are in the ground and they pop up when activated by something. I do not know if it is a button or key. Just an idea.
teacher
not all the streets in akiba are closed on Sunday. That's always a busy intersection regardless of the day of the week.
大学生
What's wrong with that bugger? Gosh. Sounds like one of those things that happens in Hackney.
Maybe he wanted to end his life and bring as many people he could with him.
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
if that were the case, he might have been going for the "suicide by cop" option. happens a lot here in the states.
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
It's a mad world out there. Unfortunately, I'm starting to hear that there are casualties from the stabbing. BBC is reporting at least two. I hope Hirito wasn't visiting around there at that time.
'casualties' refers to injury as well as death.
There are at least two confirmed dead.
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Now it's 3..
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4811
Lasersword operator
http://www.schulte47.de
7... :(
University Student.
http://www.hirito.blogspot.com/
Well, I'm still alive and kicking!! Thank goodness I wasn't there, but somewhere along Harajuku at the time of incident.
But it's really sad to hear such things happening, especially in a place where we would consider very safe. Guess no where is ever 100% safe.
*Prays nothing happens next week Sunday, when I do visit Akiba.*
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
What's with all the crazy lunatics these days?
Just sad. People like that stabber should just kill themselves if they want so desperately to get attention.
But no, the coward's way it is. To go stabbing innocent people... what a worthless pile of crap the guy must be.
Makes me kinda ashamed for belonging to the same species...
Your local Otaku Cashier.
"People like that stabber should just kill themselves if they want so desperately to get attention."
You're talking about Japan here. There's no way one can get attention to themselves with something as common as killing themselves. =P
software manager
http://wawawawasuremono.com
gads. this reminds me of an incident that occurred in march - very similar if i remember, some nut went slashing people in a rail station. one victim didn't make it.
http://www.wotakunow.co.uk/
I blame grand theft auto 4 ...
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
...and so it begins. *sigh
http://www.wotakunow.co.uk/
I'm just saying it before news international put their spin on things.
Student
I blame Ninja Gaiden II...just kidding, I love that game.
Game Censorship and Rating in Japs ?
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
jack thompson's gonna have a field day with this... sigh
why do people do the things they do argh
An Arctic Fox
http://ghostlysubstance.swgbex.com/
Hope thats a joke or sarcasm or else we would have more censored anime and games :(.
As for this stabbing, the area is still safe its only one person thats changing the "How safe it is in Tokyo" label. Someone you know could just snap and start wacking people with a baseball bat :/. My area is now considered "unsafe" because a dead body was found about 10 minutes (walk) from here. Like someone tried showing, its all about perspective. 12 people damn :(
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
http://koiaichaku.com/
I wonder what was the reasoning behind the attack. I think it's an otaku hater or something...
It must be a plot against Akihabara or something...
Hope those people who go injured will be alright!!!
Art/Media
http://sgallen.wordpress.com/
BBC news says that the Japanese guy's excuse was that he find that his life is crap or so so.
D: And I could of sworn that the BBS said 11 got stabbed, ranging from ages 21~70s.
It seems like he is one of those people that wanted to die and tried to take as many people with him but ultimately he couldn't end his own life despite extinguishing the life of others. Not that he was justified of course but it seems like this is the same story I've been hearing. Another person who can't seem to handle the pressures anymore. I think Japan like the other Asian countries can be a very stressful place to live in. Like the other East Asian countries there is alot of emphasis put into being over-achievers and failure is not tolerated and frowned upon. Asian countries are among the highest in the world in suicide rates. It kind of reflects how much stress is put upon each individual there. Again I don't justify someone doing something like he did but I think in Asia there tends to be more people who tend to snap or fall through the cracks.
Art/Media
http://sgallen.wordpress.com/
Probably, I'm asian, but I tend to aim to the top at first and then give up towards the end because I did crap or what ever. I never want to commit suicide even once when I'm under pressure. I pull it through each time by just, doin' what needs to be done.
I see your point, must be stressful in the east :/
Student
this is really bad
otaku-ist
http://myanimelist.net/profile/mel
akiba hate crime..
that's serious stuff.
._.
C. Engineering Student
http://otaku.baywords.com
Weird thing about it, it almost seems as what you're saying is true. Why did he specifically target Akiba?
Does he hold some deep hatred towards otakus?
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
Looks like the lunatic was driving around in circles in that intersection and hitting pedestrians while crossing. Take as many people with him before taking his own life.
Admin
Now, now, stop the panic train and wait for the facts to come in.
The Associated Press say it's a reported Japanese gangster going on a rampage.
In fact, let's just wait for the police to complete their investigations before we pass more knee-jerk reactions about crazy people in Akihabara.
Design Student
http://totoro88.vox.com
apparently the guy has to do with yakuza?.. and there are 3 casualties at this point..
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Can't say much.. this is just stupid.
http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Xipe
GODDAMN, looks like akibahara is getting a bad name for itself, good thing most of the people who are thinking of going there know that akibahara is an actually good place, pretty much the mecca for all anime and manga fans out there, but I hope the politicians dun make such a huge deal about it then again is gonna be hard not to with this incident :(
Illustrator, Autobot envoy
http://demoverexeno.deviantart.com
Unfortunately, we can probably expect some form of backlash against the anime/manga industry because of this, in my opinion. People will want a scapegoat of some kind to, in a way, ease their minds and allow them to place the blame on something... and what better thing to place the blame on than the primary industry in the crime scene's immediate area? :(
流浪人
But, wouldn't the primary industry in the area be electronics?
Likewise, the government has been trying to prop up a lot of manga/anime as a source of cultural learning about Japan. It's a form of diplomatic soft-power. I don't think they'll be so quick to demonize something they've been trying to elevate for the last two years.
My guess is, if it is a member of one of the yakuza families, the government and media will put pressure on them. My op, anyway...
I don't think the typical backlash against video games and media you would typically see in America may occur in this situation mainly because of the location. I think the victims are people who are in the district, who are probably people shopping there for games, manga, etc.
It's sad, but these kind of violence happens in America a lot. But regardless, this senseless violence is still pretty big in Japan, and regardless of where you live, no one wants to see this.
流浪人
Very true.
I'm guessing by the latest comments from the murderer (he was tired of life and just wanted to kill people) that the government and media will be discussing the suicide rate in Japan, again, and how to counter it. Also, how suicide and homicide may relate in Japan, too.
Wouldn't you say otaku culture is more victim than culprit though?
腐女子
http://www.myspace.com/hyperactiveotakuaddict
; ~ ; how scary!
why'd he do it aniwaes? :O
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
There are now FIVE people who died because of this! How depressing. :-(
japanprobe.com has some photos of the attacker.
This news is also on Italian newspaper webpages. =(
http://www.repubblica.it/2008/06/sezioni/esteri/tokyo-coltellate/tokyo-coltellate/tokyo-coltellate.html
Another attack against Akibahara and its lovely fauna.
Really sad
Artist/Flash Programmer
http://wcloudxkumo.wordpress.com/
Wow, that guy played too much GTA.
Really, this just messed up >_<
writing mini thesises
http://kazenomise.net/
should he play eroge instead and he'll bukkake to 12 people in akiba LOL
Student and full-time otaku
Pff, has there been any news on a nuthouse missing some of its inmates? Because they all got sent to Akiba to wreak havoc it seems -_-
figure collector
hmmm... i think i should be more carefull when in akihabara from now on!
High School student
7 dead now and 17 injured... yeah ill be careful when i go there in a week... i dont want to be ran over... or stabbed... but at least if hes comming by knife i get a chance to take him out before he gets near.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4089998.ece
流浪人
Seems like the murderer was born in Aomori...my home prefecture...yay...
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
THIS IS MADNESS.
in before even heavier police presence in Akiba.
Programer
http://bit.ly/yJhrZ
TV http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=IrqS_q_8C1I
3D artist
http://andyh.cgsociety.org
I read this on Japanprobe this morning and i thought it was a joke. Whenever there appears to be a case of a random nutter stabbing people, it usually appears to be in a small town on outside of Tokyo, not in ruddy Akiba on a sunday!
Its strange with japan - it seems so peaceful and safe, yet every once in a while a crime happens that is so random and horrific, that if baffles the mind. Must be a lot of pent-up agression.
Oh well - i hope this doesnt happen again - the last thing akiba needs is a sense of uneasiness when walking around there.
Student
I just cant say anything...
17 are stabbed and 7 died, according to the latest report by NIKKEI.
3 out of the 17 are women, it says.
It's a historic crime. It's really a big deal in Japan now, I cant still believe it...
Perv
Kusou, at this rate, I won't be able to visit Akihabara, before they'll close for causing crime >.< I hope that the fact it attracts people from the country and abroad, will prevent that from happening :/
~Undine~
http://bluebluewave.wordpress.com
That is quite sad, especially since Japan has been mediatized as a relatively safe country with low crime so far, it would be unfortunate if crime and such occurences would increase.
As it is, it seems everywhere around the world we see more such senseless crimes and violence.
Are they just being hyped by the media to instill fear and make us consume more or vote for nationalistic, oppressive parties?
Or are people really degenerating more and more into such violent fits?
Let's hope suitable measures through correct means are taken to try and reverse or better this situation.
And not resort to scapegoating or baseless blaming... as that solves nothing. There's been an increase in riots and violence by immigrant descendants here, but scapegoating or pursecuting them on the base of ethnicity instead of objective factors them would not be a good idea I think. (It's been done before too many times and never ended well.)
My host mum just told me, watching the news, that 7 people are dead and 15 wounded.
Ah, sorry didn't realise someone else had already said that. My evil twin apparently considering he also has an L avatar.
Undergraduate
Next time, I'll make a detour to Ikebukuro for all my anime-related merchandise..
Rhough I';; still head for Akiba... maid cafes FTW!!!
http://quentinlau.blogspot.com
Don`t forget Nakano Broadway. It is worth the go~
As for the incident, they`re definitely in the minority, but just one is enough to make people to change the general opinion of one place or subject.
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Good thing Danny wasn't troopin around Akiba this Sunday. Suspect he won't wanna go for awhile either. Such a horrible day for Japan...
流浪人
Although, not to make the situation too light, but if Danny had been in Storm Trooper gear, it may have given the other guy pause before going on a rampage.
http://quentinlau.blogspot.com
The fact that this incident happened *one day after* I went there made this even more shocking to me. I`ve just watched the news in Manyo Club and saw the crossing I walked over yesterday where part of the incident happened. It surely has a hidden yet chilling feeling knowing about this while I was just there not long ago. Everything felt normal yesterday; the day after that is no longer quite the same, even when things have resumed to normal by 7pm.
You know, I had a very similar feeling in this super-market across from my aparetment when I was in college.
One day I went to shop there, and later that night a person who wanted to commit suicide killed [if I recalled] 2 people with a katana [I kid you not on that]. He would have done more damage, but he was shot by security.
They closed it down for a day, and the next day I wnet there, and they cleaned everything up as if nothing happened. I know a lot of people who still goto that supermarket, and they are all unaware something like that happened.
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
Man, lots of bad things are happening at Akihabara this year...
Student
http://kankeishorui.wordpress.com
How horrible! I think that this will have an effect tourism on Akiba, people would now be scared wandering on the streets because of this.
Nandeyane~
http://www.youtube.com/user/Jollepoker
I don't know what to say...
Student
http://www.otakublue.wordpress.com
The japanese media will be all over the "Otaku are a bad influence on society" without a second thought. This is such bad publicity. And I hope the injured victims pull through ok.
Pursuing that ever-elusive diploma.
http://finality.dasaku.net
I hope the injured pull through, death penalty on that moron, seriously.
I mean, Akihabara has been a place of much controversy lately, and idiots like him have to come and ruin Otaku Haven even further.
Slacker
Apparently one of the victims was a maid. D:
That's messed up, who the hell stabs a maid?
Education specialist, IT content developer, crosscutural trainer, freelance translator / interpreter
http://smart.fm/users/xaky
Where did you hear that from?
Slacker
There was a 2Channel thread about the attack earlier today, where someone talked about it.
Civil Servant
http://kyokohunter.net/
I've just heard about this from the BBC, I want to express my sympathy to the families of those affected by this tragedy. It is shocking to hear the news and I hope those remaining with injuries manage to make a full recovery.
College Student
At least they can't blame this on gaijin.
Oddly the picture of the guy who did this looks similar to the guy from Densha Otoko.
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
very sad news indeed. :-(
the last thing i heard... 7 dead 6 man 1 woman. 2 were foreigners but i dont know which nationality.
student
http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/
I just heard what had happened on the news, I was actually at the scene during the aftermath. It's quite sad that it happened.
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
Sekai ga kawateru...
-Saji Crossroad-
But it's certainly not changing for the better! What's with people these days, huh?
http://lifeshou.blogspot.com
What a shocker. I was at the exact same place yesterday. I bought a DS game and some Revoltech figures at Sofmap.
I was watching this live earlier today and still am surprised about this incident.
Gamer
http://www.DontVisitThisSite.com
Has he told anyone his reasons for doing it?
Student
http://www.tecurious.com
""He said he was tired of life. He said he was sick of everything.""
From http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/06/07/japan-stabbing.html
腐女子
http://www.myspace.com/hyperactiveotakuaddict
not that excuse again D":<
I was there today at around 1:40. Place was full of police and loads of helicopters. Didn't even understand what was going on at first until I asked a woman who explained in poor English while miming stabbing someone. If I had gone a little over an hour earlier I would have witnessed the whole thing.
Student
A little over an hour before and you could have been stabbed or worse. Good thing you went at the time you decided to go.
EX-NSF / NS-Men / Certis Cisco Protection Officer
Out of the 12 people, 6 was killed while 3 was rammed down by a truck drove by the murderer. It was reported on Singapore Channel 8 6.30pm news.
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
it's on the evening news just now. some of them are so young. :-(
working to pay for figures etc.
http://spacejunq.deviantart.com/
He obviously picked Akiba deliberately because the streets, although coned off on Sunday, are still relatively accessible, and there are usually a lot of people walking in the road. He could have gone for just about any other pedestrianised area in Tokyo on that day. I know the heavier police presence there is resented, but it most likely prevented any further mayhem (he dropped the knife when he saw a copper with a gun apparently). It will remain to be seen what repercussions this will have on the district. Hopefully the spirit of the place will recover, but it may never be QUITE the same...
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
He should have just stabbed himself with the knife in the middle of the street. That way he dies (in)famous and no one dies along with him.
I wanna pelt him with shotput balls, seriously.
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Agreed
Ork Warlord
Terrible thing. I heard of this when get up on news, and seems that the man says something like: "I`m tired of live...", or something like that... Damn maniac, if you are tired of living, finish with it if is your desire, but don`t involve others with your madness...
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Agreed.
Student
Depressing. I just can't say more.
Where is this incident going to go to? More police in Akihabara?
So much crime in Japan lately...
Student
7 confirmed killed...
NSF, Hikkikomori
http://yukikaze.wordpress.com/
There seems to be a disturbing trend of increasing violence these days... ...
I hope that no more such incidents occur in Akiba (or anywhere ROW)
Before you kill, think. Did they do anything wrong to deserve an early end to their lives? Did their family do you anything wrong to deserve such?
conscript
this incident seem to be pretty big.. it was reported (again) in the Singapore news (the 11 pm news )this time, it reported 7 dead.
Graphic Designer
Man, this is bad.
Talk about making me hesitant on my work transfer at the end of the year, sheeesh.
On an off note for people saying "Jack Thompson this and that", this is Japan, not the US. He would be an idiot to even try and involve himself in something out of his jurisdiction, per se. IMHO.
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
If he is tired of life, then why didn’t he just ended his own life rather than going on a stabbing frenzy and killing innocent people’s lives >.>
Not only he killed innocent people but he also killed Akiba or maybe even Japan's reputation as a safe city.
Student/Daemonhunter
Wow, never expected this......
ok, seriously now, there's no way they can pin this one on us. it's sad though, 3 people died because some psycho decided to go crazy like that. I guess I should be happy that there's a ban on firearms in Japan.....
architect
so sad to hear that innocent people get killed and injured not just in akihabara but all over the world. i feel so upset and angry.
i believe that if you get caught doing such crimes you should be tortured to hell. Families of innocent people go thru pain when their loved ones die, so why not give pain back to those who do the crime?
I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. so sad.
Student
http://www.joesblog.jp
7 people confirmed dead
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080608-00000934-san-soci
Wannabe Web Developer
http://www.sakuafk.com
This is really depressing. 7 people are dead and 10 others got injured according to BBC news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7442327.stm
:(
Student
http://www.tecurious.com
Not to make light of this horrible situation, but you would think that if he drove his car into a crowd of people and then got out carrying a knife, SOMEONE would've been able to get him before he injured/killed those people.
Then again, I wouldn't charge at a guy with a 12-inch knife. From pictures he doesn't seem like a big strong guy, though...
流浪人
Granted, but you don't need to be a big, strong guy to kill someone with a knife. People reacted as they should've reacted--they ran.
Unless you're armed with a better weapon, have extensive training in disarming people, or have some kind of hero complex, you should just stay away.
Student
http://www.tecurious.com
Well, yes, but I'm sure that if 2 of the 7 people who are now dead had rushed the guy, there would be at least 5 less people dead.
Same sort of thing as the Virginia Tech shooting when the guy walked in and killed a whole classroom full of people - if one or two people had rushed him, the other 28 or whatever it was would still be alive.
That said, you're right, I would have tried to get away from this knife-wielding guy as quick as I could.
The argumentation does make sense considering our current knowledge of the killer's intentions.
But when suddenly facing a psycho toying with a blade or gun you don't know if he's desperate to kill people, making an attack a potentially very unnecessary risk escalating the situation. (and very likely ending your own live)
In the current case the truck will be perceived as an accident at first, then no one will know what the "bad driver" is up to with his knife and the intentions will only be clear once you see him stabbing a person laying on the ground.
If not prepared the rush of adrenalin alone would hamper any kind of coordinated action by the potential victims in such a situation.
The only exception are modern day plane hijackings, all know they are in high risk of involuntary kamikaze and act accordingly.
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
we live in a more selfish and cynical age today. the ideas of heroism, courage and honor are dead.
ask yourself, in the midst of sudden bloodshed and insanity, whose skin will you save first? yours or a complete strangers'?
Warehouse Employee
http://daftline.wordpress.com/
Very sad news... Can't imagine someone causing such a horror. It's been on the news even here in Belgium.
student
OMG!! I didn't find out about this incident till now!
What is happening in Akiba. Its supposed to be a sanctuary for otaku and all around safe place for tourists, but never expected anything like this. Trully sad news. Hope it doesn't continue this way. Those crazies need to kept off the streets.
student
Oh, btw--take care of yourself, danny!
Student
http://animestuff.wordpress.com/
According to Jiji the guy said to the cops that he was tired of living and went to Akihabara to kill people didn't matter who. Unfortunately seven people died in the attack, six men between the age of 19 and 74 and a woman of 21. Apparently people are relating this attack to the one that happened exactly seven years ago in a primary school in Ikeda Osaka, where a mentally ill killed 8 students.
Our sorrows to the families of the ones that died in this attack in Akihabara
IT Student
Sad news indeed but doesn't this show that the Otaku population are too busy with their hobbies to know martial arts? If one knew Aikido or Karate I'm sure they would have thrown and pinned this guy to the ground before he could stab anyone else.
Of course, Japan does appear to be a very safe place to live in for one to be bothered to take such lessons.
Athough our general japanophilia might lead to an interest an martial arts, this doesn't quite work for japanese.
The sick logic behind choosing akihabara might be that the attacker wanted to face as little physical resistance as possible, expecting weak nerds as target (especially after the police going after military otaku). He might have chosen ikebukuro's more female audience if he knew about it.
流浪人
Knowing martial arts does not mean you should charge someone with a knife. He doesn't need extensive training to get one lucky stab in that could end your life, regardless of how skilled you are.
I remember my teacher always stressing that even with training, the only reasonable unarmed way of reacting to a knife is to run, something I fully agree on.
And even a 12th dan won't help you when being stabbed in the back... or run over.
study
That crazy
IT Tech
http://www.t-ono.net
That's just terrible, why would anyone want to do that in the first place? Apart from local otakus, I would expect a lot of tourist would be in the area too.
Graphic Designer
http://revistawish.com.mx
1st world uh?... o. O
Student
http://www.joesblog.jp
"Many said that the incident would change “Electric Town” forever. Shun Koizumi, an Akihabara regular, said that the area had gained its reputation as a centre of otaku culture because of the sense of safety that surrounds it. “With that gone, it will be some time before otaku like me will return,” he said."
Doesn't sound good :*(
Rather sad to read about this, as i've seen the news on TV here in Norway...
Why is it that people vent their rage on innocents just because someone lost ones job, or other things ?
Is japanese society so merciless on people who fail in life ?
Sure, anyone can tolerate that your habits may seem odd, and still people respect you for that... but going postal by stabbing anyone randomly ? that won't help your situation at all...
don't know what to make of this...
Student
So far, very few people mentioned that there's someting to do with otaku culture. (Precisely, there's no room for everyone to pay attention to details now.)
However, according to a latest report, the suspect seemed to like anime when he was on his teens. (In his guraduation writings of junior high school, he painted a girl with a sword, it says.) It may be matter of time before someone say otaku culture would have bad influences.
It was the most depressing news ever...
Education specialist, IT content developer, crosscutural trainer, freelance translator / interpreter
http://smart.fm/users/xaky
Unfortunately, things aren't looking too good. You might have already seen the sketch that he drew in high school showing that he was a fan of fantasy games. Well, now, According to Itai News, Asahi TV in the morning wide show, and then the Yukan Fuji newspaper reported on what Kato's fellow employees said, talking about Kato's lolicon proclivities, that he loved Akihabara, was "only interested in 2D", would only sing anime songs at karaoke, and would take fellow employees with him to Akihabara where he'd show them around to maid cafes, and that his apartment hardly had any things in it apart from a few dojin manga.
It's the same old story once again. In an attempt to rationalize the unfathomable atrocity of the crime, the media is doing everything short of drawing the explicit conclusion that otaku culture was responsible for fostering Kato's murderous ways. What a crock of BS.
Hoping the victims, their families, & the reputation of Akihabara will recover.
I just hope that Akihabara doesn't die due to this...
Student // Collector // Gaijin
http://zacbush.com
Gosh...and I have a picture of me on that street corner exactly 1 month prior. Scary.
RIP victims
Student
his favorite game was probaly out of stock or something, lol