Kobe Killer *update*
Before i moved to Tokyo i was living in the town where this guy was relocated. His identity somehow slipped out (but he was living under an assumed name of course) and the people in town knew he was living there, and even the neighborhood he was living in! My girlfriend was afraid to go out by herself at night knowing he was for the most part free to walk around. He had a guardian watching him but the watching period was due to expire last December. It was a freakish experience -- I kept thinking I saw him here or there -- because I actually saw a picture of his face. The good news is, he was put in jail (now as an adult) for following some kid around. We were so totally relieved!
So, if you were worried that he might be out there somewhere, he's no longer free. And since he's not a minor anymore I suppose he'll not get out anytime soon.