Countdown
to murder - the final posts
Sunday’s five-minute eruption of violence by a lone knifeman, in which seven
people were stabbed to death beneath the neon lights of Tokyo’s Electric
Town, may have been planned for months.
The selection of Akihabara — a district famed as the cradle of modern Japanese
youth culture — appears to have been a central part of the killer’s scheme.
And in plotting his spree, Tomohiro Kato appears to have chosen people he
considered most like him: the obsessive geeks of a subculture known as otaku.
Friends of Mr Kato described him yesterday as a typical Akihabara type — a
cartoonist of reasonable talent who would “lose himself for hours in
cyberspace”. When he went to karaoke, he would select the theme tunes of TV
animations; when it came to women he would declare that he was “only
interested in two-dimensional girlfriends”.
Police investigating Japan’s worst killing rampage believe that the attacks
were planned. In the days before the spree, Mr Kato made several visits to
Akihabara to establish its suitability for his ambitions. “I knew there
would be lots of people and I decided this some days ago,” he told police.
Even as the minutes ticked down to the start of his rampage, he is believed
to have recorded his thoughts on a blog through his mobile phone. The first
comment, which appeared on the internet at 5.21am on the day of the
violence, read: “I will kill people in Akihabara, have a vehicle crash and,
if the vehicle becomes useless, I will use a knife.” After a running
commentary that tracks his 100km (60-mile) drive from Susono, in the
foothills of Mount Fuji, the messages end just minutes before the attacks.
“It’s time; I’m going,” read the final comment.
Until this weekend, he appeared to have led the average life of a young
Japanese man from a small, provincial town: a serious boy who graduated from
a good local high school in the northern prefecture of Aomori, and headed
south to work in a car-parts factory in Shizuoka. According to work
colleagues, he would become deeply immersed in online forums.
He appears to have shared with tens of thousands of young Japanese men a
passion for Akihabara and its maze of shops that helped to create Japan’s
otaku stereotype. Originally, otaku referred to a sub-class of youth culture
that encompassed manga comics, video games and animated pornography. More
recently it has gone mainstream and financial analysts track the spending
habits of its participants.
But on Sunday, the façade of normality around Mr Kato slipped. At about 8.45am
he arrived at a colleague’s house to give him a bag of DVDs and video games,
leaving with the message: “I’m going to deliver this truck to Akihabara. I’m
going to stop there briefly and then I’m flying east.”
Three and a half hours later, Akihabara became a bloodbath. The victims
included Katsuhiko Nakamura, a dentist who was having lunch with his wife
and son, and Mai Muto, a student at Tokyo University of the Arts whose
part-time job was to sell mobile phones from a booth on the crossroads where
the killing took place.
The mainstream media have spent the past five years demonising the otaku
phenomenon, and the horrors of the weekend will only heighten the suspicion
and dislike of the geeks of Akihabara.
Sunday June 8: texts for a killing
05.21 Sleepy. Will drive into [the crowd] and, if the car becomes
useless, I will use a knife.
I'm half Japanese and I've lived in Tokyo for a long time.These violent actions of people doesn't shock me at all.We are known to be very hardworking and respectful people but although some are successful (career-wise) they are also lonely that they do the craziest things they can think of.
Kaoru, Tokyo, Japan
Tom Franklin. Men are not becoming deranged. Todays modern sedantery lifestyle just does not sit well with a mans psyche as he has been designed to hunt run and kill. We are simply animals no matter what our pretensions.
Rob, Singapore,
Though there were virtually no police on the streets when the rampage occurred, within minutes Japanese law enforcement, healthcare workers, and emergency response teams were at the scene reestablishing order and providing care - a better response than those of more "violence-inured" countries.
T. Wright, Santa Barbara, USA
As passive as we would like our modern cultures to be...some humans are still as unpredictable as a wild animal. Don't let events like these cripple your freedoms. Unplug every now & then,hug your children and enjoy life. Becoming a rock throwing peasant probably isn't the answer. Try History 101.
Dwight, Largo, USA
Helen E. raises a very good point. Sure, there are killings carried out by women, but come on, generally acts of violence, and murders of most kinds are carried out by men.
And she's right - the violence in our society IS getting worse, men especially are becoming basically deranged.
Investigate.
Tom Franklin, London, United Kingdom
Japan is the safest place you've ever been? I feel much better. Wait, where else have you been?
sgsnow, NYC, USA
This man should have been shot dead. He does'nt want to live, so what is the purpose in keeping him alive?
mike rigby, blackburn,
Hey, I'm not in the U.S.A. so it doesn't really bother me that many of you are blaming America for violence like this, but I'd just like to say that it's very childish to actually think they are the ones who 'influenced' this. To be evil is to be 'human', not American. Please, let's not point blame.
Nessa, Timmins, Canada
I've been to Akiba, I've visited London on several occasions, and I live in San Francisco. I must say that Japan is safer and healthier than most "westernized" countries.
The only developed country I know of where alot of people carry guns to protect themselves is Israel. Think about it!
Mike, San Francisco, USA
He probably became deranged and exiled himself from society he craved attention. In order to get the society that ignored him, he did something so insane that society has no choice but to pay attention to his actions. Or he did it for the lulz.
James, Chicago,
Jesus is the answer to troubled souls like this fellow. May God save many souls.
Ruban, Newark, USA
I like Japan very much and i plan to go there next year, and what happened in Akihabara hasn't changed that at all as Japan's violent crime rate is very low, meaning these kinds of attacks are very rare.
What has happened to those people was awful and i give my deepest sympathies to their families.
Melissa Ash, Washington, England
From of a nation of 127 million people, a single incident of extreme violence does not constitute social or political disintegration.
Neither does it equate to a breakdown of spirituality or morality.
It simply means that one man's psychosis got the better of him.
P Flannery, Glasgow,
These comments make me so depressed about the intelligence of people. Its either blamed on God (or lack of), culture, society breaking down (globalisation/industrialisation), too many people not enough space. Based of what!? Pitiful anecdotal evidence.
Do some research before you form an opinion
Ben, Leeds, England
Troubled soul!!
Ruban, Newark, USA
I totally agree with Owen from London. I know that there is a pressure nowadays to succeed and do better, it is everywhere: from your peers, your family, the media.
The numbers of people suffering depression are increasing, it makes sense that living to work is slowly taking it's toll on society
A. Hunt, London, UK
classic. the commercial before the video starts shows 2 people fencing. it closes with the tag line 'typically german'. sensitive!
alex, london,
"..and if this guy had used a gun instead of a knife, he would have 'taken down' a lot more than 7 before he was 'taken down' himself.
Pete, Cov"
Oh, you mean like at Players Bar, Winnemucca - no UK press mention. Funny that! ..And exactly how much experience do you have with guns, Pete, from 'Cov'?
MS, London, UK
This country grinds people down to the point where they crack.
When I ask my students in high school if they had a good weekend I'm always met with a resounding "NO!" "We had to study/ We had too many club acivities!" It's really sad for them.
charlie, osaka, japan
after living in japan for seven years, in fact, just a few months into japan, i was convinced that most japanese in japan are tomohiro katos waiting to happen. stress from family, education, work and society, is inescapable to the japanese
blackpassenger, kobe, japan
Simplicity, patience, compassion -
these three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and in thoughts,
you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.
Lao-Tzu, Mainland, China
There are various social diseases like selective mutism, sever anxiety that can lead to this kind of events. Society should learn how to deal with illnesses like these, until it is not identifed and dealt with, we will get more cases like this guy, cho the guy who mowed down people in virgina tech.
ryan, glasgow, scotland
Jeez...
Why do ppl relate THIS to politics?
Peter Niu, London, UK
i was horrified while sitting next to a guy on the bus. he's fixated onto a SONY toy. his hands never stopped pressing the buttons left and right. TO do what? the character on the screen was jumping everywhere with a long knife slashing people and leaving them in pools of bright blood! Thanks SONY!
Simon, Shanghai, China
...it is still the safest environment I have ever had the privilage to travel in... enough said.
Aaron H, Nottingham, UK
Bottom line is that the the more industrialised and consumerist we become, the more spiritually miserable people seem to be. Similarly, the bleaker the environmental outlook becomes, the more depressed people are.
Capitalism is currently heading towards a dead end, IMO. Resources are drying up.
Owen, London, UK
A few weeks ago here in london an english barrister went nuts with a shotgun, he had all the trapping of success - career, money, marriage etc. that modern society expects, clearly it is not enough for some people.
Manu, Croydon , UK
Did he have a father or equivalent adult male role model as a child?
John Hardy, Redditch, UK
anyone that thinks the US is to be blamed for is equally disturbed in the head as this man. violence isn't anything new as it's been with us from the beginning of human civilization. it's like blaming the english for what our forefathers did to the native americans. yup it was the english influence.
J, northern california, USA
"Capitalist influence from Western/American/Euro globalization".
Dear oh dear, we're really excelling ourselves today in drawing ridiculous conclusions from one violent incident, aren't we?
Random acts of violence are the norm on planet Earth, but we live in relatively peaceful times.
David Pritchard, Madrid, Spain
"One person with a concealed handgun carry permit could have taken this guy down" -Alaska Paul
.. and if this guy had used a gun instead of a knife, he would have "taken down" a lot more than 7 before he was "taken down" himself.
Pete, Cov,
To Homer in Seoul who wrote:
"...remember chinese guy ..., or german teen, or americans..."
It's NOT about nationality but about the growing mental instability of people in industrialized countries, a consequence of sacrificing real human interaction and relationships, for 'success'.
Shenan, London, UK
Actually Japan was recently ranked 5th most peaceful country in the world. So the idea that just because of one attack that their whole society is breaking down and based on people running after money is nonsense.
David, Osaka, Japan
I think every human has the potentual to kill it's all a matter of control , we need to ask ourselves why this is happening ,weve become humandoing instead of human beings ,we all need to stop and smell the roses and feel the sun , it's called industreail disease , Stop the madness !
Tommy, springfield, USA
people run after money rather than running after mental peace, policy of government has created the environment, work work and only work, thats not life is aabout, life is about enjoying it, leaving in it with u r near and dears.
RCM
RCM, miami, us
Before someone will start to blame here all on japenese. well. remember chinese guy who atacked children in kindergarten with a knife, or german teen who was going insane in grow. or americans who did columbine.
homer, Seoul,
i do live in japan n i dont think all japanese r the way of u have described them,most of them r respectful bt they r jst pushed to the edge by the stress in the whole country n the way of life.The guy probably dint hve a gd day,n dint get ny1 to talk to 2,lke the many of them who hve suicided.
bryan, tokyo, japan
I thought this only happened in the US. I'm sick of life too, but I would never kill anyone else.
Jeff, Sacramento / CA, USA
That old argument, Alaska Paul. I can't think of a single case where a citizen packing a gun has taken down a mass murderer.
Ian, Brisbane,
Japan's culture is amazing. The guy was obviously mentally ill. It can happen anywhere. Don't epitomise this as being something to do with Japanese culture.
Rahul, London,
One person with a concealed handgun carry permit could have taken this guy down. However, to do that, you would need training and refresher practice. But also, even unarmed people need to have the defensive mindset, instead of thinking like victims. That is not taught today, with few exceptions.
Alaska Paul , Alaska, USA
sadly, I can completely understand this guys point of view. Life has become too hard, too diffcult for so many people. God rest the soles of all the people killed or injuried. A side reflection on society.
David, Braintree, UK
To those who say its man thing, I would say its your fault, there is no way in this world for men to be men, no more fighting nor more sports no more physicality only a long drawn out life of boardroom and women's things, Give us back the world!
Health and Safety has gone mad!
Mr W Jones, Liverpool, England
Helen E. from London - what about Brenda Ann Spencer who "didn't like Mondays"? Or Caril Ann Fugate, Laurie Dann, Jennifer San Marco, Sylvia Seegrist? Its not "increasingly gettting worse" either - two infamous Japanese spree killings took place in 1893 and 1938. Mass murder has been around forever.
Jenna M, Inverness, Scotland
A few women in Japan have been convicted of killing their kids.
John, London,
why can somebody feel tired of life?
that sounds horribly!!
what happend to human being...?
agustin, suipacha, argentina
There is nothing wrong with the male brain, it is a fact of nature that we are the more aggressive of the sexes. There's nothing 'wrong' with us it's just a fact of nature.
Joe, London, England
In reply to Rika's posting - "This kind of thing did not happen in Japan 10 years ago." You've obviously forgotten about the Ikeda Elementary School incident, when a guy walked into the school and stabbed 8 kids to death 10 years ago. These events are a regular occurrence in Japan.
Gaz, Hadano, Japan
Japanese people view crime as a foreign problem. They see themselves as the salt of the earth. Ask Japan's neighbors what they think of Japanese people. The country has such a bad past that they still can't write the truth in the history textbooks. I just wish the foreign press focused on it more.
Gaz, Hadano, Japan
I agree with Helen E., London, United Kingdom
But occasionally men are killing each other over women. That is not to say women are to blame. However, they have 'influence'.
jayil, london, uk
Judging by the amount of negative news being driven into the minds of the populance, from the media , it is surprising that more individuals are not running round killing people.
Jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia
You just don't see women doing this kind of attack, either here in the UK, America or Japan.
There is something very wrong in the male brain/psyche that is increasingly getting worse.
Until this is admitted and resolved, these killings will continue. What is wrong with men is the real question.
Helen E., London, United Kingdom
Using a kinfe is up close, personnel and too messy.
In America we prefer to keep it moe distant and cleaner by using one of our 200,000,000 guns.
Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA
Dear Des and Raymond, We were all on the same side during WWII and I believe the UK has some involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA
He was the one disgusted and tired with life. He should have killed himself and not innocent bystanders.
vero, Grenada,
Yes, American influence. After the japs were bombed into submission the yanks were so awful they spent zillions of dollars rebuilding the country that destroyed Pearl Harbour, on a peaceful Dec. Morn. If the yanks were like the nazi/jap/italians Japan would have been samuarai-sworded into history.
Brian O'Loughlin, Ennis, Ireland
True life can seem like a thorn-shirt, but city streets being so chock full of loud bikers, scandalous construction sites, ghetto blasters and stereo-blasting neighbour-torturers, it's a sacrilege to take out so many innocent bystanders and not do the world a favour on your way out.
Eugene, heidelberg, germany
Chris from Tokyo,
If you say Interested to hear your explanation for all those stabbings of teenagers in London this year. Are those in London part of a "pitiful society" too?
Simon, Yokohama, Japan
Sad to see the tsual nonsense about Japan in the replies. Yes, it has its problems with disenfranchised youth but, as the stats bear out, it's remarkably safe. Much safer than the US, UK or European countries. How many teen knife murders have there been in London this year?
Iain, Tokyo,
Japan was not like this 1o years ago, it's getting
worse and worse every year it seems now.
A few months ago, in Ibaraki pref a young guy
killed and hurt many people, after a while, a young
guy killed an old woman in Fukuoka pref (I think)
Yes, it's scary, I felt much safer back in Los Angeles.
Rika, Kanagawa, Japan
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU LOT?
How on earth did an article about multiple stabbings turn into a discussion about the invention of the world wide web?
Just listen to yourselves. Country A blames Culture B blames Race C. STOP IT
Howard, Manchester,
Jayil, you have prejudices so deep that you seem incapable of making a conrtibution to debate. As many have pointed out Japan as a society has a history of violence, accepted in Japanese culture. If you get a chance to see the very great Japanese film 'Hari Kiri' (1956) you will begin to understand
Dectora, London, UK
My friend arrived to Tokyo two days ago. I hope she's fine today.
Luong Khanh Thien, Ha Noi, VietNam
Re: the who invented the internet comments; I will provide good anology-
What good is a car without the wheels?
U.S invented the car frame/engine; U.K the wheels to get the vehicle moving.
jayil, london, uk
These young people need help, japan's social security system seems to be almost non-existent yet many young people must find it extremely difficult to find employment.
In Japan probably more than any other country, you are identified by your job, having no job may mean you are worth nothing???
Graham, St. Albans, uk
Dear Des, They are a very polite culture, especially on Dec. 7, 1941. Oh yeah, don't forget the Bhutan Death March.
Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA
Oh yeah cos Afghanistan and Iraq, with a huge fear of god, never have any violence at all.
What a stupid thing to say.
HG, Durham,
He should have lived in Britain. When it's all too much just travel to the Lake District and your faith in God and human nature is completely restored..... such beauty. The selfishness of people never fails to astound me. Those that he murdered may have had good contributive lives. How sad for them.
judy, liverpool, England
I am sorry to say that these psychotic attacks, though not common, are increasingly regular here. The man was no doubt crazy, but there is also no doubt that it is a spilling-over of an unrelenting pressure to behave in a particular way- one that robs people of a zest for life so they 'work harder'.
G Davidson, Kashiwa, Japan
Japan has one of the strictest gun laws in the world. Can we all try to imagine what the number of the people dead would have been had the killer had access to guns ??
MK, Oklahoma, USA
There is no fear of God
josh, Oxford,
Did you say that Japan doesn't have a history of violence?
I think you have a big misconception... Japan has always been the most dangerous country in Asia. Japan invaded Korea, China, Philippines, etc. If there were the opportunities, they have always invaded countries based on Yaskuni ideology.
daniel, Beijing, China
Why are young people so violent? I truly believe that it is the fault of these disturbing video games that they have been exposed to from a young age.When these games have roleplay of running people over, killing them etc. reality is blurred.Get rid of these games people.
jacci obrien, belleair Beach, florida
There are far too many humans taking up precious little liveable space on the planet. Combine this with modern living- with all the pressures we put on ourselves and each other- and it's little wonder that people snap like this.
Phil, London,
Jayil no one knows why this guy started killing people. Your Americans-are-evil conspiracy is low on the list of probable causes. The old classics of him not getting any sex/love/money/respect are much more likely causes. Sorry but you are going to have to find another excuse for your hatred.
Doug, Gisborne,
This is not an alien influence,
This weariness is something I've resonated with after I returned to Tokyo and begun living by myself in my 20s. JPGov't rarely listens to its people; whereas in US, the presidential election has been an excitement and beautiful hope that I have been encouraged.
Yoshimi., Tokyo, Japan
i want to bash america too.. bash bash bash....
no reason but then nobody else really has one either
peter jones, moscow,
By the way, I do not think the man was sick and tired of life like this article says. The man was on some kind of psychiatric drug for sure as his actions didn't make sense at all. The psychiatrist with the murderer should both in jail together.
Giancarlo, London, England
worse thing is that someone will go out and do a copycat.
While the police will be busy stopping a non japanese for riding a bicycle.
I feel sorry for the victims
But the japanese as nice as they are need to get ot of their shells
Finbarr Crowley, Nagoya, japan
Let me see if I understand this... When crimes such as this occur in the USA, it's proof of America's violent culture. When it happens in other countries, it's proof of America's violent culture. Pure genius.
We all know that Japan doesn't have a history of violence. Just ask the people of Nanking.
Paul, Sussex, NJ, USA
American influence? Please note that the word influence denotes that a person is not forced to do something. Something about them, their nature makes them susceptible to the influence but it is their own decision. Perhaps that something is that we aren't as "good' as we like to think.
Larry, London, UK
Peter Evans, Weymouth, Norfolk, unemployment in the U.S. as of June 2008 is 5.5%. I don't know where you are getting your information, but 25+% is unbelieveably wrong.
Marcella Smith, Ohio, U.S.A.
I have just come back from Tokyo and visited the Akihabara district. The Japanese are the most civilsed and polite people i have ever met.
Des, Birmingham, UK
It's fairly conceited to think this is because of American or British influence.
Japanese are just as capable of cracking up in lonely isolation as people in LA or London. There are, however, plenty of ways to vent frustration: Kendo, Karate, Karaoke, or a good (non-violent) drinking session.
Bazza, Tokyo, Japan
The Japanese are the nicest people in the world, yet I fail to understand their robotic lives. A major portion of their lives is spent at work, travel, pachinko, or in bars (without their wives). No wonder their younger generation cannot understand the point of living.
Benjamin Alvares, Mumbai, India
GP Martin, yyougive the typical repsonse from an NRA spokesman. If the guy has a gun it would not have been 6 it would have been 60 who were killed. Look at the murder rates in the US versus any other nation.
Peter , Hudson, Ohio
99% of all violent films/video games are made in the U.S and are imported to the rest of the world. They watch and learn. That is America's biggest influence.
jayil, london, uk
Crediting Tim Berners Lee with "inventing" the internet is a gross exageration.All Tim did was make minor adjustments to an existing mark up language, the same used by printers of glossy magazines since the 60's.If credit should go anywhere, the internet was always the child of the American military
Killian, dublin, ireland
Ed, sorry but thats rubbish.
Individuality and freedom is alive and well in Japan.
This was a person who for whatever reason is very disturbed.
paul, Tokyo, Japan
How funny, no matter what the news topic half of the UK blames the states. Is your educational system there that poor? Violence is everywhere in the world and anyone with any intelligence can see that over-population is one of the key factors. Worry less about economic growth and reduce popul.
Kristina Jensen, Copenhagen, Denmark
if the japanese had gun rights and concealed carry -someone in the crowd could have been able to defend themselves and others--instead of being victims. people will go nuts and do these things---with guns or knives or rocks. one uneeded death is tragic---more don't make it more tragic.
gp martin, pinellas park florida, usa
Ed form London. What about in the west, where the murder rate is much higher?? Murders per 100k, US at 5.7; UK at 2.03; Japan at 0.50.
Japan is a very safe country. What does it say about the misery of people in the "free" world when our murder rates are 4 times higher (10 in the US)?????
Mike, Beijing, China
Do your research, folks.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_was_the_Internet_invented
Plus, the WWW is NOT synonymous with the internet. It is only one means of getting to the internet.
Emily, boston, usa
The first internet network was created by americans. ARPANET anyone? The WWW was indeed created by a Brit. One would argue that the Americans created it and the Brits found a way to popularize it. Which one is more important is up to you to decide.
Andreas Andreou, Larnaca,
For a country of 300 million people, we are pretty good at not killing each other you know, Jayil. I understand London is having a problem with Random stabbings too, and I think it has more to do with Human nature, so don't blame American influence.
Charles, Broad Run, USA
Jayil: "American influence is growing in Japan?"
America-bashing is inappropriate.
The number of people killed in such rampages is tiny. Dunblame and Hungerford occurred in the UK (look them up).
Statistically, a person is twice as likely to be mugged in London than New York.
David C, Brussels , Belgium
Around a 100 people a day top themselves in Japan and still no-one talks about it. Unfortunately, this is one of the other outlets some Japanese take to show their disdain for others and unrelenting infantilism.
Jimmy, Tokyo, Japan
No, this is a peculiarly Japanese phenomenon. Having lived there for 18 months, and having learned the language, I was struck by the way that not only the Japanese, but anyone speaking Japanese, simply do not have the framework for expressing their true feelings. Read Chie Nakane on this...
Paul Schroeder, Berlin, Germany
Capitalist influence from Western/American/Euro globalization.
Di, Fort Worth, USA
Jayil, Japan has had US influence for more than a century. Japanese wish they could pursue new careers as openly as others do. I get sighs of disbelief about how often I've changed jobs, as it's simply not normal here. It's global influence and the need for flexibility that's changing Japan.
Ken, Tokyo (formerly Los Angeles),
The opposite. I've lived in japan. Their society and language is built around discipline, emotional distance, formalities, hard work, and being closed to outside. It is the exact opposite of the west where self expression is accepted. Examine Japanese history and you'll see that this is common.
joey, los angeles, us
It's time for knife control laws in Japan. Last year 11 people died in one incident, now six. Well, is not the gun or the knife but people murdering others.
trans-Mutant, LA, US of A
Where in the article did it mention American influence. Americans all use of guns to kill each other not knifes, it's not quite the same.
Tomas, Ilsan, South Korea
Well, just been there one hour later...I do not think is anything to do with American influence or anything else than a person with mental illness and that's it! everywhere there are people with problems but we all look aside when it comes to "light" problems!!
Alf, Yokohama,
I was just coming out of the subway when this happened. To see all of those people in the street was a tragedy. I have been in tokyo for 10 days now. You see the police stations, but you hardly ever see police. I was amazed and how many and how fast they swarmed the scene. the ambulances, not..
Tony, las vegas, usa
Japan has never truely recovered since the atomic bombings of hiroshima and nagasaki.
jayil, london, uk
No wonder.
There is a whole generation that sees every older member of their family going to work at 7am and coming home at 10pm every day of their lives.
They now have access to the wider world through the internet and see that there is more to life than just doing the rat run for all your years.
Jamie, Halifax, West Yorkshire
Robert from L.A. - the internet was not invented by "we Americans", but by an Englishman, Tim Berners-Lee, now Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee.
Why do so many Americans assume they invented everything. An amazing number actually think The Beatles are Americans!
Go learn about the world!
Ed, London, UK
The internet was invented at cambride during the 1960's, leave your american ignorance at home.
sally, Belfast,
Robert, Los Angeles, USA.
It was Sir Timothy Berners-Lee OM, KBE, FRS, FREng, FRSA, a BRIT, who invented the WWW.
(I do rather enjoy popping the overinflated US ego.)
jasper, chelmsford,
We in the west take our individuality and freedom for granted, but Japan is the ultimate conformist society. They have a saying - "The nail that sticks out gets hammered". Nobody can excuse killings, but it is the ultimate expression of frustration from people who are not allowed to be individuals.
Ed, London, UK
It's good that they don't own gun's like in the U.S or else casualties could have been a lot more than six.
jayil, london, uk
American influence has been big in japan since 1945 just think of how many of their troops are still based there.
Kris, london, uk
Hey, we Americans, who invented the internet, can read your comments here too! Trust me, if it had been American influence, he would have used a gun, not a knife, and there would be a lot more dead people.
Robert, Los Angeles, USA
Don't be put off from visiting Japan, it's a great place!.
Even in Tokyo, you'll feel safe as they have a Police station about every 1KM, very law abiding, hardly any crime.
They are a nice enough lot of people that are quite lonely and very private, smoke too much, work hard and enjoy life.
Sean Hamerton, York., England.
It seems like it.
Bill, Bangor, USA
Capitalist influence from Western/American/Euro globalization
Di, Fort Worth, USA
there's way too many people on this planet. and when you try and cram as many of them into a small area such as tokyo, london, or mexico city, etc., it compounds the problem. unless we cool it with the breeding, incidents like this are only going to become more and more commonplace.
charles, los angeles, usa
This isn't just happening in Tokyo, nor is it an American import. It's everywhere. Evolution simply hasn't been able to educate people fast enough that there's a difference between fact and fiction.
Andrew Waldron, Bournemouth, UK
I live in Japan and see the mind-numbing system that forces people to conform and obey. People live and work like ants in an ant colony. Stuffed into trains like sardines to work 12 -16 hours a day. Pitiful. Yet, like sheep, they never complain. Just kill themselves or others. A pitiful society.
Chris, Tokyo, Japan
How does this story equate to american influence?
Marjo9, Brisbane,
"American influence" to blame for a mentally-imbalanced person going on a stabbing spree in Tokyo? No, jayil, the Japanese pretty much invented death by the blade. Much as the British invented death by periodontal disease.
Sam, Seattle, USA
This is just so sad. So sad. Why are young people feeling this way about their life?
victoria, Gloucester,
The good thing about it is that he WILL get the death sentence.
Gaz, Hadano, Japan
Hardly, you cannot blame deep rooted social issues in a country on an "American influence". What drives these people is surely more significant than a film or news story coming out of the US.
Ben, High Wycombe,
What does that mean jayil? When will people stop blaming the Yanks for everything?
Sara, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
American influence? lol. Assuming that they can't think for themselves, it would be Brit Influence. We shoot, not stab.
RLA, Charlotte, NC, USA
Every chart I have seen shows Japan almost has the lowest crime rates in the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_murder_rate
Sam, Guildford, UK
American influence? What part of all this could you possibly see as "American Influence?"
Jason, US,
Yes, American influence is obviously the root of this problem in Japan. That is the only rational answer possible. Any time violence happens in the world, you can suspend critical thinking and just blame America.
Chris, Dayton, OH, 45432
Japan should just ban violence . . .
Carmen Branje, Toronto,
American influence is growing in Japan?
Hardly, more like the japense mentality combined with myspace.
Brad, Melbourne, Australia
Don't want a salaryman life? In the US many would do the same just to get a salaryman position. Unemployment at 25+%, avg. wages down 50% (adj. for inflation) since 1999. Job outlook shows Walmart and Tedesco's increasing and all other sectors decreasing. I'd say a salaryman position looks good
Peter Evans, Weymouth, Norfolk
Did anyone see that man before? This is a " so Japanese'. People right around Japan have always been a fan of "Japanese's suicide". They don't treat their lives as a being of them.
cristiano, Wuhan, China
This reads like the typical youth rampage that regularly occurs in Japan every six months or so. What is interesting is that it is now getting covered in the UK press.
Julian Cook, Oxford, UK
American influence is growing in Japan?
jayil, london, uk