Why are Japan’s famously reserved citizens becoming more violent?
- From savage fights between commuters to the murder of schoolchildren, it appears Japanese people are becoming less tolerant than ever before
- Their frustration could come from a lack of interpersonal communication – or fear for the future as the country’s population shrinks at record levels
The argument involving two men on the evening train escalated quickly once they got onto the platform at Chigasaki, southwest of Tokyo.
The older commuter was angry at the music he claimed could be heard coming from the younger man’s earphones, so he shoved him so hard the younger man fell onto the train tracks.
Apparently not convinced that he had made his point forcefully enough, he then delivered a series of kicks to the younger man’s head as he attempted to climb back onto the platform.
The older man, who has not been named, was arrested on June 8.
The same day, police also arrested Yutaka Arai, a 71-year-old resident of Tokyo’s Adachi Ward, after he left messages in the letterboxes of neighbours telling them that their children were too noisy as they waited for their school bus near his house.
According to police, one of the messages said: “Do not let your children raise their voices. If you cannot do that then do not complain, no matter what happens.”
