Not that an isolated event such as this one details the new age of an entire nation, but it does seem that the golden days of ESL teaching in Japan are long gone. Japan, once touted as one of the safest countries in the world, definitely is plagued with its own issues. To make matters worse, there is little care or protection given to "gaijin" from local police authorities. The yakuza are still in heavy control of much of the urban areas. I spent the year 2002 teaching in Tochigi-ken. I was randomly attacked by local gangsters and left for dead on the street. I was severely burned and bludgeoned. I spent a week in the ICU and a further month in the hospital. I lost everything and had to return to the U.S. The police called me a liar and I was unable to reclaim any expenses.
Japan is a great nation with wonderful opportunities for foreigners. However, like any other nation, one must educate himself before and during the visit. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Hawker's family.

Reed Christy, Ventura, California, USA

I can not forgive this perverted man who distroyed this women's chance to have an amazing experience in Japan. I feel close to her because she used to teach English for kids and adults in my home town in Tokyo. I am very proud that she chose to visit Japan, learn about my country and my culture . I really hope the man that did this will be arrested and will be severely punished for killing her. I feel complicated and very sad as a japanese person that something so terrible can have happened to somebody visiting my country.

Koiwa, London, UK

On the other hand, quite a few of Manga comics ‘Otaku’ and Japanophiles head for Japan. It is strange that they invariably find a job at a language school, such as NOVA, AEON, etc. as only Mother tongue English teachers. They fancy that Japan is a safer country than other foreign countries.
Anyway, in order to avoid repeating a tragedy like this again, you should learn a sense of approaching danger and have a bilingual friend who you can ask for help.

E_Rubinstein, Spokane, WA, USA