Category: Crime

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 15, 2023 Number of comments0
Crime Elderly Japan Technology

Japan police to launch new unit for tackling scams targeting elderly

Japanese police plan to launch a new unit based in the Tokyo metropolitan area next spring to investigate the rising number of scams nationwide that often target the elderly, with the new team to involve police officers from across the country, officials said Saturday.

The envisioned unit is expected to have more members and a larger role than an existing team that was established in 2005 to tackle so-called special fraud cases, covering scams such as the swindling of elderly people by impersonating their children and asking for urgent money transfers over the phone.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 26, 2023 1
Abuse Crime Disability Japan

Suspects in 6 Year Old Boy’s Death in Kobe also Arrested for Mistreating Boy’s Wheelchair-Using Grandmother

According to the prefectural police force’s first criminal investigation division, Yumiko had been locked in the closet from the outside. She had meals regularly, but is believed to have been locked up several dozen times over the space of three months. She escaped when the four went out, and police took her into protective custody in Kobe’s Tarumi Ward on the evening of June 20. She was in a wheelchair, and suffering from eye and back injuries, but her injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 19, 2023 Number of comments0
Crime Japan Mental Health

SDF recruit likely to undergo mental evaluation after fatal shooting

Authorities are considering ordering a mental evaluation for an 18-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force recruit after he shot dead two instructors and injured another in central Japan last week, investigative sources said Monday.

The authorities aim to assess the male recruit’s mental state at the time of the attack on the three men during a live-fire training exercise at an indoor firing range in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, as he has claimed no personal animosity toward the victims.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 12, 2023 Number of comments0
Assassination of Shinzo Abe Crime Japan

Pretrial Hearing for Alleged Abe Killer Cancelled over Suspicious Item

Nara District Court canceled Monday’s pretrial hearing for the suspect of the fatal shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after a suspicious cardboard box arrived at the court in western Japan on the day.

After the box was checked with a metal detector, an official at the court in the city of Nara reported the incident to the police department of Nara Prefecture.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 26, 2023 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department confirms “A person was shot with a gun” in Machida, Tokyo

According to investigative sources, around 8:00 pm on May 26th, there was a call to 110 in Machida City, Tokyo, saying, “A person seems to have been shot with a handgun.” The Metropolitan Police Department is confirming the details of situation, m that there is one injured person and eyewitness information that two men escaped from the scene in a passenger car.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 23, 2023 Number of comments0
Crime Japan Mental Health PM Kishida

Suspect in attack on Japan’s PM Kishida to undergo psychiatric observation until Sept 1

According to investigative sources, Kimura has remained silent about the allegations against him and details of his motives remain unclear. Law enforcers are planning to add charges of attempted murder and a violation of the Criminal Regulations to Control Explosives, after closely examining Kimura’s psychiatric and living conditions during his examination.