- 18 Jan 2005
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- 3,643
Related threat cases
A 14-year-old junior high school girl was referred to prosecutors for sending threatening e-mails to Takuya Matsunaga (38), who lost his wife and daughter in a car accident in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. When questioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the girl reportedly said that she had problems with relationships.
"I wish you'd die" - Threatening email sent to the family of the victim - Junior high school girl "was worried about relationships" - Ikebukuro runaway accident.
■ Malicious words directed at Matsunaga
From Matsunaga's X
"I wish you'd die~ If it's that painful, why don't I kill you instead? Lol"
"I wish Matsunaga Takuya would die~"
Malicious verbal violence that cannot be dismissed as a prank.
The target of the anger was Takuya Matsunaga, who lost his wife Mana (31 at the time) and daughter Riko (3 at the time) in a car accident in Ikebukuro. Matsunaga has worked for five years to "reduce the number of similar tragic accidents, even if only a little."
Matsunaga (2021)
"I want to do everything I can to eliminate traffic accidents."
From Matsunaga's X
"Matsunaga, the man behind the Ikebukuro runaway accident, are you sad that your child and wife are dead? Lol
Thank you for your hard work. He's not coming back. You'll never see him again. Are you sad that your child can't live his life? Your wife is too. It's all for money lol."
However, there were many heartless and malicious words directed at Matsunaga. The one who sent this message was a third-year junior high school girl.
From Matsunaga's X
"You're not worth living lol. Kill him, kill him, die, die. Should I go to Takuya Matsunaga's house? I'll identify him lol and I'll be there."
On the 28th, the Metropolitan Police Department referred a female junior high school student from Yokohama City to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of blackmail for threatening Matsunaga by email in September of this year.
Furthermore, the junior high school girl was also referred to prosecutors on suspicion of intimidation and obstruction of business for allegedly sending around ten slanderous emails to Matsunaga's lecture venues, including "Should I kill you?" and "Is there any point in holding an event like this?".
When questioned, the girl admitted to the charges, saying, "I'm sorry for what I did." As for her motive, she reportedly said, "I was having trouble with my relationships. I thought, 'Maybe the police will give me some advice,' and thought, 'If I send a threatening email, the police will take action.'"
Matsunaga posted on X about the junior high school girl's actions, "I hope she will take a step toward living a life that values her own life and the lives of others after properly fulfilling her social responsibilities and deeply reflecting on her actions."
■Words from the inmate who took her family away
Another thing Matsunaga has been fighting against is confronting inmate Iizuka, who caused the accident and took his family away from him.
Riko-chan: "I'm home."
Mana-san: "Welcome home."
Riko-chan: "Welcome home."
Matsunaga-san: "Thanks, I'm home."
Matsunaga-san lost his beloved wife and daughter at once. The inmate who caused the accident, Iizuka Kozo (93), is...
Matsunaga-san: "He passed away in prison on the 26th of last month. I have mixed feelings."
It was learned this week that Iizuka, who was serving a five-year sentence, died in prison. Matsunaga-san met with Iizuka-san while serving his sentence in May of this year and spoke directly to him when he could not get up.
Matsunaga-san: "When I asked him, 'What would you like to say to the elderly of the world?' he could barely speak, but he answered that question. He said, 'Please tell the elderly of the world to return their licenses.' I think that, in a sense, I was entrusted with the words and regret of the perpetrator."
■Negligence or danger? A notable ruling from the Oita District Court
A runaway car accident brings misfortune to the perpetrator, the victim, the family, and everyone else. In this context, a notable ruling was handed down on the 28th by the Oita District Court.
In a reenactment video of a car travelling at 194 kilometres per hour, from the perspective of an oncoming car, a car from the left rear disappears to the right of the screen at an incredible speed.
Defendant: "I wanted to try how many kilometers it would go in a foreign car I bought. I wanted to enjoy the feeling of accelerating."
Three years ago, a 19-year-old man drove on a public road at 194 kilometres per hour, more than three times the legal speed limit. He collided with a car trying to turn right, and Ken Koyanagi (then 50), who was in the car, died. The impact was so strong that the seat belt the victim was wearing broke, throwing him out of the car.
The Oita District Public Prosecutors Office initially charged the man with negligent driving, resulting in death. In response, the victim's sister, Naga Fumie, said, "There is no way this accident, which occurred at 194 kilometres per hour, was accidental. I would be really troubled if they lump him in with the others."
The family of the deceased started a petition campaign to change the charge to dangerous driving, resulting in death, a more serious crime. After collecting more than 29,000 signatures, the charge was changed from negligent driving to dangerous driving, and he was charged with dangerous driving.
Amidst all of this, the much-anticipated trial took place. The issue was whether it was "negligent driving" or "dangerous driving."
The defence argued that it did not amount to dangerous driving, stating that "the car was driving straight until it collided, so it was not difficult to control even at extremely high speeds." Meanwhile, the prosecution sought a 12-year prison sentence, arguing that "it was dangerous driving at a high speed that was difficult to control."
Presiding Judge: "The defendant is sentenced to eight years in prison. The speed at which it is recognized that there is a substantial risk of causing an accident with even the slightest mistake in steering or braking."
The Oita District Court ruled that "the crime of dangerous driving is established" and sentenced him to eight years in prison.
Presiding Judge: "The defendant drove at an extremely high speed, more than three times the legal speed limit, and committed the crime to enjoy the sound of the muffler, engine, and increased acceleration. This selfish and self-centred decision-making deserves severe criticism."
While the dangerous driving charge was acknowledged, the prosecution sought a sentence of 12 years, but the sentence was eight years.
Family: "I think it is a big deal that the crime of dangerous driving resulting in death is acknowledged. However, when I heard the sentence was 'eight years,' I felt like I was not listening to anything the presiding judge said after that."
A 14-year-old junior high school girl was referred to prosecutors for sending threatening e-mails to Takuya Matsunaga (38), who lost his wife and daughter in a car accident in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. When questioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the girl reportedly said that she had problems with relationships.
"I wish you'd die" - Threatening email sent to the family of the victim - Junior high school girl "was worried about relationships" - Ikebukuro runaway accident.
■ Malicious words directed at Matsunaga
From Matsunaga's X
"I wish you'd die~ If it's that painful, why don't I kill you instead? Lol"
"I wish Matsunaga Takuya would die~"
Malicious verbal violence that cannot be dismissed as a prank.
The target of the anger was Takuya Matsunaga, who lost his wife Mana (31 at the time) and daughter Riko (3 at the time) in a car accident in Ikebukuro. Matsunaga has worked for five years to "reduce the number of similar tragic accidents, even if only a little."
Matsunaga (2021)
"I want to do everything I can to eliminate traffic accidents."
From Matsunaga's X
"Matsunaga, the man behind the Ikebukuro runaway accident, are you sad that your child and wife are dead? Lol
Thank you for your hard work. He's not coming back. You'll never see him again. Are you sad that your child can't live his life? Your wife is too. It's all for money lol."
However, there were many heartless and malicious words directed at Matsunaga. The one who sent this message was a third-year junior high school girl.
From Matsunaga's X
"You're not worth living lol. Kill him, kill him, die, die. Should I go to Takuya Matsunaga's house? I'll identify him lol and I'll be there."
On the 28th, the Metropolitan Police Department referred a female junior high school student from Yokohama City to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of blackmail for threatening Matsunaga by email in September of this year.
Furthermore, the junior high school girl was also referred to prosecutors on suspicion of intimidation and obstruction of business for allegedly sending around ten slanderous emails to Matsunaga's lecture venues, including "Should I kill you?" and "Is there any point in holding an event like this?".
When questioned, the girl admitted to the charges, saying, "I'm sorry for what I did." As for her motive, she reportedly said, "I was having trouble with my relationships. I thought, 'Maybe the police will give me some advice,' and thought, 'If I send a threatening email, the police will take action.'"
Matsunaga posted on X about the junior high school girl's actions, "I hope she will take a step toward living a life that values her own life and the lives of others after properly fulfilling her social responsibilities and deeply reflecting on her actions."
■Words from the inmate who took her family away
Another thing Matsunaga has been fighting against is confronting inmate Iizuka, who caused the accident and took his family away from him.
Riko-chan: "I'm home."
Mana-san: "Welcome home."
Riko-chan: "Welcome home."
Matsunaga-san: "Thanks, I'm home."
Matsunaga-san lost his beloved wife and daughter at once. The inmate who caused the accident, Iizuka Kozo (93), is...
Matsunaga-san: "He passed away in prison on the 26th of last month. I have mixed feelings."
It was learned this week that Iizuka, who was serving a five-year sentence, died in prison. Matsunaga-san met with Iizuka-san while serving his sentence in May of this year and spoke directly to him when he could not get up.
Matsunaga-san: "When I asked him, 'What would you like to say to the elderly of the world?' he could barely speak, but he answered that question. He said, 'Please tell the elderly of the world to return their licenses.' I think that, in a sense, I was entrusted with the words and regret of the perpetrator."
■Negligence or danger? A notable ruling from the Oita District Court
A runaway car accident brings misfortune to the perpetrator, the victim, the family, and everyone else. In this context, a notable ruling was handed down on the 28th by the Oita District Court.
In a reenactment video of a car travelling at 194 kilometres per hour, from the perspective of an oncoming car, a car from the left rear disappears to the right of the screen at an incredible speed.
Defendant: "I wanted to try how many kilometers it would go in a foreign car I bought. I wanted to enjoy the feeling of accelerating."
Three years ago, a 19-year-old man drove on a public road at 194 kilometres per hour, more than three times the legal speed limit. He collided with a car trying to turn right, and Ken Koyanagi (then 50), who was in the car, died. The impact was so strong that the seat belt the victim was wearing broke, throwing him out of the car.
The Oita District Public Prosecutors Office initially charged the man with negligent driving, resulting in death. In response, the victim's sister, Naga Fumie, said, "There is no way this accident, which occurred at 194 kilometres per hour, was accidental. I would be really troubled if they lump him in with the others."
The family of the deceased started a petition campaign to change the charge to dangerous driving, resulting in death, a more serious crime. After collecting more than 29,000 signatures, the charge was changed from negligent driving to dangerous driving, and he was charged with dangerous driving.
Amidst all of this, the much-anticipated trial took place. The issue was whether it was "negligent driving" or "dangerous driving."
The defence argued that it did not amount to dangerous driving, stating that "the car was driving straight until it collided, so it was not difficult to control even at extremely high speeds." Meanwhile, the prosecution sought a 12-year prison sentence, arguing that "it was dangerous driving at a high speed that was difficult to control."
Presiding Judge: "The defendant is sentenced to eight years in prison. The speed at which it is recognized that there is a substantial risk of causing an accident with even the slightest mistake in steering or braking."
The Oita District Court ruled that "the crime of dangerous driving is established" and sentenced him to eight years in prison.
Presiding Judge: "The defendant drove at an extremely high speed, more than three times the legal speed limit, and committed the crime to enjoy the sound of the muffler, engine, and increased acceleration. This selfish and self-centred decision-making deserves severe criticism."
While the dangerous driving charge was acknowledged, the prosecution sought a sentence of 12 years, but the sentence was eight years.
Family: "I think it is a big deal that the crime of dangerous driving resulting in death is acknowledged. However, when I heard the sentence was 'eight years,' I felt like I was not listening to anything the presiding judge said after that."
