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The disappearance follows last week's grisly discovery - also by officials updating the most-elderly list - that the man listed as Tokyo's oldest male, who would have been 111 years old, had actually been dead for some 30 years and his decayed body was still in his home.
Police are investigating the family of Sogen Kato for alleged abandonment and swindling his pension money. Kato is believed to have died about 32 years ago, when his family said he retreated to his bedroom, wanting to be a living Buddha.
Officials said they had not personally contacted Furuya or Kato for decades."
So the family just kept his dead body around for 30 years to collect their pension.
But on the bright side...
"Officially, Japan has 40,399 people aged 100 or older, including 4,800 in Tokyo, according to an annual health ministry report last year marking the Sept. 21 holiday for the elderly. "
Two young children died after being abandoned by their mother in a garbage-filled Osaka apartment, despite repeated calls to child welfare officers from a neighbor reporting the children's cries.
The officials visited the apartment on five occasions between March and May but made no attempt to enter or contact the police.
The partly decomposed and skeletonized remains of 3-year-old Sakurako Hagi and her brother Kaede, 1, were discovered in the apartment in Nishi Ward on Friday morning.
Police said they may have starved to death and had been dead for a month or two. They were not wearing any clothes.
Their mother Sanae Shimomura, a sex industry worker, was arrested Friday on suspicion of abandoning their bodies. She was sent to prosecutors Sunday. She had been raising the children alone following a divorce in May 2009.
Shimomura, 23, said she left the apartment in late June because she wanted "to flee from everything and have time to myself," police said.
"I knew they wouldn't be able to survive if not given food or water. I abandoned them and killed them as a result," she was quoted as saying.
The sooner humankind is cleansed off the face of the earth by zombies the better. It will be brutal and unpleasant, but necessary. Like ripping off a bandaid.
As to the second story, I ask how anyone could believe in God.
Drink deeply and lustily from the foamy draught of evil.
W: 1.756 Quadrillion L: 0 D: 2
Haters gon' hate.
Kato, on the other hand, probably died of natural causes, and while disturbing, it is slightly humorous. If only all pensioners could go on supporting their families!
Monster Rain wrote:As to the second story, I ask how anyone could believe in God.
The two main arguments that I remember are that 1) Evil is necessary for Good to have any meaning and 2) Evil on earth is fleeting, heaven is forever, and thus earthly harm is minimized by being allowed into the most exclusive and awesome club of all.
So, while the first relies on a faulty assumption (that god can't make Good have meaning in the absence of Evil) and the second relies on presupposing that an afterlife exists, if you accept either then belief in God is still tenable.
Monster Rain wrote:As to the second story, I ask how anyone could believe in God.
The two main arguments that I remember are that 1) Evil is necessary for Good to have any meaning and 2) Evil on earth is fleeting, heaven is forever, and thus earthly harm is minimized by being allowed into the most exclusive and awesome club of all.
So, while the first relies on a faulty assumption (that god can't make Good have meaning in the absence of Evil) and the second relies on presupposing that an afterlife exists, if you accept either then belief in God is still tenable.
I don't see how either of those arguments would trump the fact that this thing happened under the alleged watch of an omniscient, omnipotent deity that loves all of mankind.
Honestly, that's the very issue that made me decide to sleep in on Sunday mornings.
Drink deeply and lustily from the foamy draught of evil.
W: 1.756 Quadrillion L: 0 D: 2
Haters gon' hate.
I went to Japan once when I was in the Army. Honestly I was a bit creeped out over there. Very odd country and I have been places in my time (for example, Dildo, Newfoundland; trapped in traffic in San Francisco surrounded by an inpromptu gay pride parade, and chased by a half naked pre-op transvestite through Washington D.C. at 2:30 in the morning) and Japan has taken the cake so far. Too much cosplay and stuff that is only seen those pesky dank, dark corners of the interwebs for my liking all crammed into one cute green and concrete little package.
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2010/08/04 03:53:35
251 point Khador Army
245 points Ret Army
Warmachine League Record: 85 Wins 29 Losses
A proud member of the "I won with Zerkova" club with and without Sylss.
Monster Rain wrote:As to the second story, I ask how anyone could believe in God.
The two main arguments that I remember are that 1) Evil is necessary for Good to have any meaning and 2) Evil on earth is fleeting, heaven is forever, and thus earthly harm is minimized by being allowed into the most exclusive and awesome club of all.
So, while the first relies on a faulty assumption (that god can't make Good have meaning in the absence of Evil) and the second relies on presupposing that an afterlife exists, if you accept either then belief in God is still tenable.
I don't think that's the point he was trying to make, but great work turning a tragedy into a theological argument!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/08/04 04:01:01
Arctik_Firangi wrote:The second one is extremely depressing...
Kato, on the other hand, probably died of natural causes, and while disturbing, it is slightly humorous. If only all pensioners could go on supporting their families!
Hey, jugs of kitty litter and pine tree air freshners, Grandma can still be useful.
251 point Khador Army
245 points Ret Army
Warmachine League Record: 85 Wins 29 Losses
A proud member of the "I won with Zerkova" club with and without Sylss.
"Where's Gramps?"
"He's in his bedroom meditating."
Kid_Kyoto wrote:
"Officially, Japan has 40,399 people aged 100 or older, including 4,800 in Tokyo"
The remainder living near me driving their cars glacially slow at all times, slowing down at green lights, parking in the middle of the street, hammering their brakes and THEN signalling...
Actually, a doctor buddy of mine had worked at a special clinic for the 100+ crowd in Tokyo. He was shocked at how many of the men past 100 still smoked and drank. "It's the Japanese genes." he said. "If they aren't predisposed for cancer, they could live to be 150 easily." We had a neighbour in Kawasaki who jogged 5km a day. She was 93.
I'm going to go see the Shizuoka Gundam Mobile Suit next weekend after binge drinking at Nagoya castle and visiting the Romanian hostess bars.. Monday is the tour of the Tamiya factory. If I come across any 100 year old people, I'll let you all know.
Monster Rain wrote:The sooner humankind is cleansed off the face of the earth by zombies the better. It will be brutal and unpleasant, but necessary. Like ripping off a bandaid.
As to the second story, I ask how anyone could believe in God.
Frazzled to the Zombies, come get some baby.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
Yep that 1:1 Gundam has steam vents and lights if I remember correctly.
Monster Rain wrote:As to the second story, I ask how anyone could believe in God.
Simple, instinctively Humanity seeks to answer all mysteries in the world around them. When they couldn't explain why they existed and how everything could have been made from nothing they used their imagination to make up a story to fill in the gaps and make themselves feel better. This story stuck and continues to this day in various iterations and forms depending on the geographic location and peer pressure supporting it. People should account for their own actions themselves and hiding behind stories designed to make people feel better, like some do, is stupid; especially when it's allowed to go through.
But, enough of this talk as it only leads to more hate and becomes and off-topic waste of time to everyone involved.
The authorities visit the apartment 5 times!? 2nd time they came the door should have come down. Poor kids, lives taken away by a degenerate mother and inept neighbors. I realize the people of Japan act differently, but wth!
Catachan LIX "Lords Of Destruction" - Put Away
1943-1944 Era 1250 point Großdeutchland Force - Bolt Action
"The best medicine for Wraithlords? Multilasers. The best way to kill an Avatar? Lasguns."
"Time to pour out some liquor for the pinkmisted Harlequins"
Stormrider wrote:The authorities visit the apartment 5 times!? 2nd time they came the door should have come down. Poor kids, lives taken away by a degenerate mother and inept neighbors. I realize the people of Japan act differently, but wth!
Similar things happen in the UK with depressing regularity.
Anyone else notice that in the second story someone just called child services, but never actually went out to check on the crying children in the street?
mattyrm wrote: I will bro fist a toilet cleaner.
I will chainfist a pretentious English literature student who wears a beret.
Stormrider wrote:The authorities visit the apartment 5 times!? 2nd time they came the door should have come down. Poor kids, lives taken away by a degenerate mother and inept neighbors. I realize the people of Japan act differently, but wth!
This is par for the course here in Japan. The bureaucracy in Japan is huge! To get most things done you have to fill out form after form to follow the "procedures". The authorities were probably following procedure. There is no way they are going to "buck the system" to do the right thing, ever. You used to have to fill out 6 -7 pages to get a video rental card. Registering a car is a lot of fun too. As for inept neighbours, in Japan if you don't live in a house, you generally do not know your neighbours. You might know their last name, but that's it. It's weird, I know. But, that's the way she goes.
The one thing I've noticed bing around Japan for the last 12 years is that there isn't a lot of murder as crime, but when there is, wow, look out, it's usually beyond the pail. I remember about 2 years ago, some guy killed a retired city hall worker and his wife because the afore mentioned city hall worker had been in charge of the department that signed off on putting the murderer's pet dog down as a public nuisance some 20 plus years earlier. There was also the underwear thief who killed some high school girl for her panties. There was also a woman who made a huge pot of poisoned curry to feed a bunch of people at a public luncheon.
Stormrider wrote:The authorities visit the apartment 5 times!? 2nd time they came the door should have come down. Poor kids, lives taken away by a degenerate mother and inept neighbors. I realize the people of Japan act differently, but wth!
This is par for the course here in Japan. The bureaucracy in Japan is huge! To get most things done you have to fill out form after form to follow the "procedures". The authorities were probably following procedure. There is no way they are going to "buck the system" to do the right thing, ever. You used to have to fill out 6 -7 pages to get a video rental card. Registering a car is a lot of fun too. As for inept neighbours, in Japan if you don't live in a house, you generally do not know your neighbours. You might know their last name, but that's it. It's weird, I know. But, that's the way she goes.
The one thing I've noticed bing around Japan for the last 12 years is that there isn't a lot of murder as crime, but when there is, wow, look out, it's usually beyond the pail. I remember about 2 years ago, some guy killed a retired city hall worker and his wife because the afore mentioned city hall worker had been in charge of the department that signed off on putting the murderer's pet dog down as a public nuisance some 20 plus years earlier. There was also the underwear thief who killed some high school girl for her panties. There was also a woman who made a huge pot of poisoned curry to feed a bunch of people at a public luncheon.
I can't even comprehend how anyone could live like that. Honestly, I could never survive where everything is regulated in some form or another. It's insane.
Sad but true world sometimes.
Catachan LIX "Lords Of Destruction" - Put Away
1943-1944 Era 1250 point Großdeutchland Force - Bolt Action
"The best medicine for Wraithlords? Multilasers. The best way to kill an Avatar? Lasguns."
"Time to pour out some liquor for the pinkmisted Harlequins"
Stormrider wrote:The authorities visit the apartment 5 times!? 2nd time they came the door should have come down. Poor kids, lives taken away by a degenerate mother and inept neighbors. I realize the people of Japan act differently, but wth!
This is par for the course here in Japan. The bureaucracy in Japan is huge! To get most things done you have to fill out form after form to follow the "procedures". The authorities were probably following procedure. There is no way they are going to "buck the system" to do the right thing, ever. You used to have to fill out 6 -7 pages to get a video rental card. Registering a car is a lot of fun too. As for inept neighbours, in Japan if you don't live in a house, you generally do not know your neighbours. You might know their last name, but that's it. It's weird, I know. But, that's the way she goes.
The one thing I've noticed bing around Japan for the last 12 years is that there isn't a lot of murder as crime, but when there is, wow, look out, it's usually beyond the pail. I remember about 2 years ago, some guy killed a retired city hall worker and his wife because the afore mentioned city hall worker had been in charge of the department that signed off on putting the murderer's pet dog down as a public nuisance some 20 plus years earlier. There was also the underwear thief who killed some high school girl for her panties. There was also a woman who made a huge pot of poisoned curry to feed a bunch of people at a public luncheon.
I can't even comprehend how anyone could live like that. Honestly, I could never survive where everything is regulated in some form or another. It's insane.
Stormrider wrote:The authorities visit the apartment 5 times!? 2nd time they came the door should have come down. Poor kids, lives taken away by a degenerate mother and inept neighbors. I realize the people of Japan act differently, but wth!
This is par for the course here in Japan. The bureaucracy in Japan is huge! To get most things done you have to fill out form after form to follow the "procedures". The authorities were probably following procedure. There is no way they are going to "buck the system" to do the right thing, ever. You used to have to fill out 6 -7 pages to get a video rental card. Registering a car is a lot of fun too. As for inept neighbours, in Japan if you don't live in a house, you generally do not know your neighbours. You might know their last name, but that's it. It's weird, I know. But, that's the way she goes.
The one thing I've noticed bing around Japan for the last 12 years is that there isn't a lot of murder as crime, but when there is, wow, look out, it's usually beyond the pail. I remember about 2 years ago, some guy killed a retired city hall worker and his wife because the afore mentioned city hall worker had been in charge of the department that signed off on putting the murderer's pet dog down as a public nuisance some 20 plus years earlier. There was also the underwear thief who killed some high school girl for her panties. There was also a woman who made a huge pot of poisoned curry to feed a bunch of people at a public luncheon.
I can't even comprehend how anyone could live like that. Honestly, I could never survive where everything is regulated in some form or another. It's insane.
Beer vending machines. Hot chicks.
Good enough, do you prefer Kirin Ichiban or another flavor?
Catachan LIX "Lords Of Destruction" - Put Away
1943-1944 Era 1250 point Großdeutchland Force - Bolt Action
"The best medicine for Wraithlords? Multilasers. The best way to kill an Avatar? Lasguns."
"Time to pour out some liquor for the pinkmisted Harlequins"
Khornholio wrote:
The one thing I've noticed bing around Japan for the last 12 years is that there isn't a lot of murder as crime, but when there is, wow, look out, it's usually beyond the pail. I remember about 2 years ago, some guy killed a retired city hall worker and his wife because the afore mentioned city hall worker had been in charge of the department that signed off on putting the murderer's pet dog down as a public nuisance some 20 plus years earlier. There was also the underwear thief who killed some high school girl for her panties. There was also a woman who made a huge pot of poisoned curry to feed a bunch of people at a public luncheon.
I remember that one. BEFORE she cooked the poison curry she first took out life insurance policies on her neighbors.
Plus there was the Junior High kid who beheaded a classmate or two in the 90s.
Yeah.
Nice people but when they snap they snap hard.
Anyway, who can anyone doubt God in a world that has 50' gundams? That pretty much proves God right there.
If they ever make a 1:1 MAC 2 Monster I'm converting to Shinto.
Stormrider wrote:The authorities visit the apartment 5 times!? 2nd time they came the door should have come down. Poor kids, lives taken away by a degenerate mother and inept neighbors. I realize the people of Japan act differently, but wth!
This is par for the course here in Japan. The bureaucracy in Japan is huge! To get most things done you have to fill out form after form to follow the "procedures". The authorities were probably following procedure. There is no way they are going to "buck the system" to do the right thing, ever. You used to have to fill out 6 -7 pages to get a video rental card. Registering a car is a lot of fun too. As for inept neighbours, in Japan if you don't live in a house, you generally do not know your neighbours. You might know their last name, but that's it. It's weird, I know. But, that's the way she goes.
The one thing I've noticed bing around Japan for the last 12 years is that there isn't a lot of murder as crime, but when there is, wow, look out, it's usually beyond the pail. I remember about 2 years ago, some guy killed a retired city hall worker and his wife because the afore mentioned city hall worker had been in charge of the department that signed off on putting the murderer's pet dog down as a public nuisance some 20 plus years earlier. There was also the underwear thief who killed some high school girl for her panties. There was also a woman who made a huge pot of poisoned curry to feed a bunch of people at a public luncheon.
I can't even comprehend how anyone could live like that. Honestly, I could never survive where everything is regulated in some form or another. It's insane.
Monster Rain wrote:As to the second story, I ask how anyone could believe in God.
The two main arguments that I remember are that 1) Evil is necessary for Good to have any meaning and 2) Evil on earth is fleeting, heaven is forever, and thus earthly harm is minimized by being allowed into the most exclusive and awesome club of all.
So, while the first relies on a faulty assumption (that god can't make Good have meaning in the absence of Evil) and the second relies on presupposing that an afterlife exists, if you accept either then belief in God is still tenable.
I don't see how either of those arguments would trump the fact that this thing happened under the alleged watch of an omniscient, omnipotent deity that loves all of mankind.
Honestly, that's the very issue that made me decide to sleep in on Sunday mornings.
Neither really works, I admit, but mostly because of how truncated they are. I lean more to the second when working as the devils advocate.
Basically: Look at the world from the perspective of an immortal being. Let's say that you break a leg in some excrutiatingly painful way. In one hundred years, one thousand years, one million years, are you even going to remember it?
Now, let's say that you're murdered, and that you go to heaven. You're free of mortal concerns; hunger, pain, thirst. You never feel those again. You never suffer again. You exist forever in a state of bliss. Would you remember, or care about if you did, the pain and suffering that you felt in your final moments, say, one hundred thousand years later?
On balance, would you say that such an existence is evidence against the idea of a loving god?
251 point Khador Army
245 points Ret Army
Catachan LIX "Lords Of Destruction" 
it had gone! 
