STORY RETRACTED: Nara child abduction case results in NJ father assaulted, bricked in head, computer evidence destroyed
Posted by debito on November 16th, 2009
UPDATE NOVEMBER 18, 2009. The original source for this story, the Children’s Rights Network Japan, has pulled it. Quoting them:
On November 16, 2009, CRN originally published the story of “Mick Hogan”, a person who was allegedly assaulted while trying to negotiate for access to his daughter in Nara. CRN believed the veracity of the story due to the compelling evidence of 1) photo evidence of a physical beating and computers submerged in a bathtub, 2) several direct phone conversations with “Mick” over the course of several weeks leading up to this assault by CRN coordinator Mark Smith, and 3) confirmation by a third party, the Australian Consulate’s Chris Rees, that this case was legitimate.
However, the Australian Consulate has now refused to verify the accuracy of many of the important claims made in the “Mick Hogan” case. If we cannot get independent verification of any case by a reputable independent third party, CRN will have no choice but to hold off on reporting on the case until we do. We hope to receive confirmation of the facts in this case in the future. We apologize for any inconvenience incurred.
I will state for the record that I found the evidence compelling (of course — photos of a bloodied person, a blood-spattered floor, and a bathtub with submerged computers in it are probably not faked; I also just received a medical report from a Nara hospital substantiating that the person in question was injured on November 13 from multiple blows to the head).
However, as more details came out, and further scrutiny of the case by Debito.org readers uncovered irreconcilable holes in the story, the story seemed to me also harder to stand by. So I won’t, especially if the original source and the verifier won’t either. I apologize to readers for any inconvenience, and I hope the person in the photos gets whatever help he needs to fix his situation.
For the record, I will not delete the data or comments below. I will put lines through it, so that readers know the story has also been pulled from Debito.org.
Again, sorry everyone. I will exercise greater caution in future. Arudou Debito in Sapporo
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Hi Blog. It was only a matter of time before this sort of thing happened, but it has. Japan’s deeply flawed laws governing divorce, child custody, and parental access have led to violence.
Over the weekend, a NJ (we’ll call him Mick Hogan), a medical doctor, who has been having issues with his Japanese family by marriage over a separation and child access, was attacked in his home by an unknown assailant. See photos:
He was assaulted with a brick and rendered unconscious, then his computers were thrown into a pool of water in his bathtub to destroy the data he was collecting regarding his case.
Hogan, an Australian, claims that he has had no effective help either from the Nara Police (who allegedly wouldn’t even take the brick as evidence) or the Australian Consulate. He has also lost all his money (his former wife withdrew all their money when she left with the child). Now he feels he is fearing for his life as he tries to persue all available domestic channels to not only see his child, but also pursue his assailants.
The full story, as told by Hogan through Children’s Rights Network’s Mark Smith, is available in full here.
http://crnjapan.net/The_Japan_Childrens_Rights_Network/itn-jappoli.html
Have a read. Arudou Debito in Sapporo
(Reporters who wish to receive more information on this case are encouraged to contact Mark Smith at mark AT crnjapan DOT net)
November 16th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Does this guy have a legal fund somewhere where we can chip in?
– (I used to have his bank account number up here, but since his name will appear in the ATM when wiring, I’ll take it off for his own protection.)
November 16th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
From what’s written in the crnjapan article, it sounds like this “Watanabe” family is a yakuza family or something along those lines, which would unfortunately explain both the horrible violence and the negligence of the police. What this man is trying to fight against might be something much greater than what we think…
November 16th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I would just like to add that the crnjapan seemed rather too racist of its own, almost suggesting that this is how the Japanese police (not specifying the Nara prefecture police, a.k.a. Japanese police in general) will treat foreigners versus the Japanese.
> They were here to assist the Japanese not the gaijin.
This case is so unusual and over-the-top, the reader should first question what kind of possible background this case may involve, but the article misleads the reader with wordings like the above to suggest that this is a “standard procedure” towards foreign nationals. There are many questions that need to be answered (such as the nature of this “Watanabe” family and the influence they have towards the police) before anything controversial like that is suggested. Making such suggestive claims is borderlining racism on their part.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
This is just a simply horrible story.
I think Australian newspapers would be all over a story like this and it may help hsi case if it’s fully publicized around the world. Debito – how does one go about contacting the press and putting them in touch with this story?
– I’ve already sent this to my press contacts, as well as on Facebook and Twitter, and it will be in my DEBITO.ORG NEWSLETTER shortly.November 16th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
OK – the story on CRN is not exactly the best written piece out there, but the bottom line is it is another case of police officers in Japan not doing their job and acting with bias. Sadly, this, like other cases will not be reported in the Japanese press, or will be reported with cultural bias.
November 16th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
This story is an abomination and sets Japan back to the stone ages if it is true/accurate.
However, so the people not living in Japan don’t get the idea that 100% of the Japanese police == nazis, here is a personal and true story from last month to show that this is not entirely “typical” of all Japanese police.
I was in Hiroshima with about 5 of my foreign buddies. At about 8:00pm, we were standing in front of the atomic bomb dome when a Japanese guy on a bike stopped and just *exploded* at us in Japanese. “Get out of Japan, you foreign scum, your being here is an insult to those who died in the bomb” etc. etc. My friends and I weren’t going to let him walk away from that, so we called him out on his nonsense.
When he realized we spoke Japanese, we ended up getting into a heated argument. He got off his bike, and as things escalated, he raised his hand as if to make an attack, and I said “go ahead, do it,” and then while he sat in hesitation, I went on to berate him for being an embarassment to Japan, and pointed out that trying to start a fight based on merely a difference in nationality right in front of the dome was far more of an insult to those who died rather than us just merely standing in front of it. Boy, he did not like that. Things got even louder.
Someone in the area saw this going on, and called the police. No less than TEN cops showed up, some by car, some by bicycle. This is where the police COULD have had their way with us, took us to the station, etc. But instead, they calmly listened to both sides of the story, and ultimately sided with us completely! They let us go free without so much as another question, but they made the guy on the bike sit down, and as we walked away we could hear them reaming him.
November 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Graham,
This generally is a standard procedure towards foreign nationals. CRN is merely stating the facts, namely that the NPA is often reluctant to bother investigating crimes where the victim is non-J.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I would just like to add that the crnjapan seemed rather too racist of its own, almost suggesting that this is how the Japanese police (not specifying the Nara prefecture police, a.k.a. Japanese police in general) will treat foreigners versus the Japanese.
Please tell me you’re joking or have never had any experience with the Japanese police?
I’ll go further and add, ‘this is how the Japanese police on the whole will treat Japanese versus Japanese cases’.
Google up ‘stalker, murder, Japan’ if you need any proof of the general incompetence of the Japanese police.
I hope someone can get this publicized in the Australian media.
Absolutely disgusting, even by Japanese standards.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
This is both the worst case of news reporting AND creative writing I have seen in a long time. Someone has really got to rewrite/reinterview everyone involved here if this is going to have any chance of being taken seriously. Get rid of the hyperbole, tone the biases down, and report the names. This is a news piece not a drama based on true facts. Even if one wishes to protect little ‘Megumi’ through non-disclosure of Mark’s full name, the embassy and police officials should be a matter for public record.
Beyond the issue of the reasons behind the attack, this is a case of aggravated assault, at the very least, and perhaps even attempted murder and should have been reported to the police and media as such. It is my understanding that the perpetrators of the vast majority of assaults/murders are known to the victims. This makes this case just like any other. If it remains private and treated as a civil matter then it is being handled improperly by all involved.
If the police refuse to take a report on a brutal attack, then there are certainly grounds for a wider intervention by the press. In recent years there have been a number of incidents where police were less than diligent in following up reports of attack (I can think of one stalking case in particular) and it has come back to bite them. I would think that the threat of blowing this up in the press would get their attention at least in the short term.
The hospital should have also been involved in the reporting of this crime to the police. (I am assuming that Hogan has his medical reports and the photos and evidence as taken at the hospital). I see NHK news reports daily that are involving more mundane events than this. I would think Hogan can get traction with a proper news agency and not simply leave the reporting to the CRN. Hogan should act while this is still a fresh issue in its first days, if not hours. “Over the weekend” is going to be old news by Tuesday. Act now Mark if you haven’t already. In future, Mark can use this as part of his evidence in his child welfare case but I think CRN should take a back seat while the criminal assault charge is played out.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I wonder what reason the police have for not taking the brick as evidence. What other investigations as underway regarding this man’s assault.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I think if they take the brick, i.e. the possible assault weapon, it means they have to do something with the item. Like figure out who used it in the attack.
If they don’t take the brick, then, well, the guy says some brick was used in the attack.
November 16th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Wow, Debito I don’t think I’ve been through your whole picture section on “Japanese Only” but this certainly starts a whole new category. Are you sure you’re not trying to compete with shock websites?
From what I read this guy has it the worst out of most cases you’ve posted about. Caught between what sounds like the Yakuza and the Japanese Police (geez! how does someone find themselves in a position like that?) sounds like a horrible situation to be in. This guy needs some definite help!
You don’t think you could be taking a personal risk by posting this do you?
November 16th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I have to agree with Graham. However frustrated you may be, it is simply not helpful to make broad blanket accusations or statements -ultimately it merely makes you seem shrill and biased.
For example, the police here in Sendai have been extremely helpful the three or four times we have had to call them to deal with our borderline psychotic Japanese neighbour. Every time they have been nothing but polite and professional.
The facts of this case seem horrific enough to stand on their own merits, without the bitter hyperbole. I hope things work out for ‘Mick’ and his daughter.
November 16th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Completely agree with Frodis on this one. CRNJAPAN really overstepped its role as amateur blog on this one and should have let the authorities and professional press handle this rather than become the first key handler of evidence and reporter. I find it very odd that a blog picked up these photos before an international (Australian) or Japanese newspaper did.
The most disturbing passages in the article: “Both the police and the Watanabe family knew this couldn’t be allowed.” and “He knew the whole problem had begun with their slip. He couldn’t trust the police. They were here to ‘assist the Japanese not the gaijin.’”
He knew the police were out to get him? It’s a big conspiracy, and the entire Nara police force is in on it? HE REFUSED THE HELP AND QUESTIONING OF THE POLICE INITIALLY AFTER THE ASSAULT?! Really? Really? REALLY? The CRNJAPAN author insinuates that the police is not interested in evidence of a violent crime. Who knows why they didn’t take the brick? But given the tone and attitude of the article, and the fact that the protagonist took a DIY/antagonistic attitude with the police from almost day one, I FIND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE that Japanese police are not interested in genuine evidence of impromptu weapons used for violent assault.
I find it very difficult to believe almost any of the story as is. It’s impossible to take any of that article at face value given how the author destroyed his credibility by assuming you’re on the “you can never trust the Japanese police” platform.
CRNJAPAN has gotten on the Crazy Train, folks. Apparently, it’s not just about children and Japan anymore. The entire police force is out to get us! With tales of broke Health Ministry connected Military Men/Prestigious Doctors that save Japanese Officials in danger marrying the abused daughters of Yakuza members! Wow! WOW!
If CRNJAPAN leaves its scope of Japanese parental rights and starts broadening its focus to the Japanese police’s secret national agenda of systematically suppressing all the non-Japanese, they’re going to destroy the credibility that a lot of legitimate child/divorce/custody cases have worked so hard to build.
– Um, er, calm down? We’ve had some pretty incredible stories about the Japanese police and how they treat NJ in the past, that did in fact turn out to be true (like the arrest and detention of a 74-year-old NJ tourist for carrying a pocket knife, that elicited similar catcalls of disbelief?). And there’s plenty of evidence out there that the police and organized crime (if that is who is involved — you’re the one making the connection out loud) have colluded in the past. Don’t believe it? Fine. But calm down.
Look, we’ve got photos of a very badly beaten man and his computers sitting in a bathtub. This man clearly needs help and the case needs exposure. Putting this up on a blog is one way for that to happen (it quite frequently happens in the New Media nowadays). Cut this poor guy some slack, wont’cha?
November 16th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I hope he at least has a copy of his medical records and filed a written police report, so if it is ignored or not followed up on he has a paper trail.
I agree with Frodis – the only way this will get serious attention by the media is full disclosure. It wouldn’t take 5 minutes to find out who the person in question is considering the amount of personal information provided.
Less bias and speculation, more facts and solid information.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Al, a brick can’t be pressured into a confession. So obviously the police have no use for it.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
It sounds to me like there is more to this particular case than J-vs-NJ… this “powerful family” of the wife’s, I’m guessing is powerful in ways that don’t necessarily involve working through the official channels.
I wonder about the name issue though… if this man is really a doctor working for the government, the only foreigner to have risen to his position… shouldn’t someone be able to find out pretty easily who he is? (I’ve got no personal interest in trying to figure it out, he deserves his privacy… but it seems odd that such details about his career are given after so much other effort to hide his name and face) It also seems odd that he has “no money” to change the locks, if he’s got such a career he should at least have a credit card or the ability to get a loan.
I have no doubt that this really happened and was every bit as terrible as it looked. But I’m guessing that the brutality in this case has more to do with who the wife’s family is, than the fact that the husband was NJ.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I have one question about the CRN site: the photos. The two face photos really are of “Mick” after the incident, aren’t they? The story is presented like that’s his face, but the police box in the photo is from Seishoko-mae, which is in Tokyo, not Nara. Is that a stock photo? How about the photo of the blood on the floor?
(Assuming the face photo really is Mick, he’s pretty brave letting himself be photographed in that condition!)
November 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
The fact that the criminals were too dumb to not just smash the laptops with the same brick is curious.
I see how the senior citizen with the pocket knife is an argument for your point. On the other hand, it demonstrates to me how the police, rightly or wrongly, overreacts to the most mundane potential weapon. Which again makes the claim that the police ignored an assault weapon to be especially dubious.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:32 am
I’m not sure about this one. Something is a tad fishy about the whole affair. This is, of course, not to say that it is not horrible, just that we seem to be missing some vital information to piece together this incident. With the information provided, it really seems like his ex(ish)-wife’s family actually hired some thug to hit him with a brick and attempt, rather ineptly, to destroy his computers.
The article itself is of questionable quality. It is written like the author is weaving us a tale rather than reporting an event. I realize that crnjapan is not a newspaper in any sense of the word but the language of the report itself becomes highly suspect when written in this format.
Thanks for posting this up, Debito… I do hope someone in the news media gives this some press.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Taking this horrific incident at face value, I would be amazed if the Japanese police ignore it once it hits the international press, yakuza or not. I’m not saying they are perfect, but surely they don’t want to be shamed internationally for apparent inaction and incompetence.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Johnny,
I would pretty much guarantee you that even if “Mick” was Japanese, he would’ve still have been treated similarly. These are no ordinary people. Being an NJ is not the main cause of this maltreatment.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
>>If you think it is a hoax, don’t send any money.
Hell, I want to believe but I have too many questions unanswered.
“Mick”, as an Australian has an topical story and access to programs such as A Current Affair in his home country. The necessary links are available to get his story heard so that a reputable news source can blow it open to the world.
I believe if we can validate the story via such means we can then focus energy on helping this chap or bring the publisher of the story to task. A sketchy story or biased blog potentially undermines the credibility of every NJ in Japan. Agree?
– Disagree.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Debito, to send money, one needs the name of the recipient in addition to account number.
– Name has been withheld at the recipient’s request. Sorry.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
“I know. That was withheld at the recipients request. Sorry.”
Does he know that many ATMs have the name-back function, so if the bank details and account number are entered correctly, the name is automatically populated/revealed…?
November 17th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
HO,
I don’t think that is correct – I don’t remember typing in names when I first created the furikomi cards that I regularly use, and I’m pretty sure I would if I’d had to do this as they are long and awkward strings of katakana. IIRC the ATM reveals the name which is enough to check the recipient is the intended one – but maybe if you do it through a bank clerk it’s different.
(come to think of it, the only place I’ve ever seen the katakana for one of them is on this card, payment instructions are always emailed out in English, so I don’t see how I could possibly have entered the name.)
November 17th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Hmm.
Yahoo says there was no rain on the 13th of November (0.0mm).
http://weather.yahoo.co.jp/weather/jp/past/29/6410.html
Article says it was “pouring rain”.
Is the date correct?
Also, the original article has been changed to make him a university employee now, not a doctor.
The picture of the koban not in Nara has been removed.
While I believe such an attack is possible, it doesn’t help anyone’s credibility go be shaky on the facts…
November 17th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Chris,
The original article said he worked for a university-affiliated hospital I believe, so the change is not entirely controversial, albeit misleading. Perhaps we can give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was to protect the identity of “Mick,” but still they need to make things a bit more clear, I think (or the media, if they would only do their job…).
But it is interesting that there was no rain on the 13th, or the entire weekend for that matter.
– Yes, quite. I agree.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
It is too bad Debito didn’t archive the original article for comparison. To give a few:
From the only foreign medical doctor to achieve the position (esteemed University hospital AND Ministry of Health) in the last 6 years saving countless children and being left in wills to “university employee in good standing”.
From waking up in his genkan then stumbling to the hospital while refusing assistance from the local police who are in on it all to waking up outside the local 7/11 (a nod to another modified earlier claim that the assailants could have placed him in a van and dumped him anywhere?).
From having not having even the money to add/ change the locks (on the advice of Mr. Smith prior to the alleged attack?) to the lawyers cleaning out what little he had left.
From stumbling to the hospital where he was supposedly employed has been deleted in favor or stumbling home while refusing assistance from the local police who are in on it all. Yet, they are still blamed for not taking the brick into evidence during their investigation of the scene (his home- which he would have had to grant permission for them to enter-BTW).
In other words, anything that could be relatively easily confirmed has been cleansed from version 2.
No doubt- a horrible crime has been committed. I truly hope justice is served.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
A LOT of the original article has been changed (I knew this would happen and crnjapan would go into revision mode, so I saved a copy of the original). In addition to what was mentioned above:
1) The rant about Obama prioritizing N. Korea over parental abductions, the police force going to new lows, the inflated (30,000) abduction estimate, the “empire of Japan” reference. The entire first paragraph gone.
2) More difficult to believe and racist language in paragraph 2 was removed. (“The Japanese hit all time lows).
3) Paragraph 3 (detailing Mick as a only foreign physician, saving Japanese from danger, being added to Japanese wills, being part of the Japanese elite, saving Japanese babies, serving on the health ministry), and his status evaporating in the blink of an eye has been replaced with “works in good standing at a Japanese university.” (?!?!?!?!?!?!)
4) Race baiting language (“no longer needed the influence of a white man”) removed in paragraph 4.
5) More back story as to how he became broke added in paragraph 5 (“consulate suggested he employ an attorney, which emptied his accounts”)
6) More stereotyping of the police removed in paragraph 6 (“bypassing the local koban mentality”) removed.
7) In paragraph 7, the police paranoia, the police/crime collaboration charge (“both the police and the Watanabe family knew this couldn’t be allowed”), and hate (“gross abuse of power … cowardly attack by Japanese Police”) has been removed.
8 ) fact change in paragraph 8. In the new version, Mick speaks to Chris Rees. In the old version, he spoke to “John Alexander.” In the new version is the name not marked as an alias.
9) paragraph 9, the “police yelled at Mick turning the blame to him” changed to “The police began speaking to Mick in a tone he found demining” [sic]
10) paragraph 10 the phrase that “Mick again reported that he had been followed” has been removed.
11) paragraph 11 about enjoying a good meal and cold beer and being relaxed walking down main st towards home has been removed. reference to him becoming a patient at the hospital he worked at removed.
12) More detail added in the new version: pouring rain on nov 13, 4½ hours later he awakes by a 7-11. Speculation about driven off in a van removed. Reference to “ex-army surgeon” removed.
13) Police paranoia in paragraph 13 changed from (“the whole problem began with their slip. he couldn’t trust the police”) to “he felt as though he could not trust the police anymore and refused to answer.” Police “questioned over and over” changed to police “approached.” In the new version “genuine concern about his condition” from the locals removed. “bled from numerous wounds” changed to “visibly bloodied.” Spelling for “genkan” fixed.
14) Yakuza overtones reduced in paragraph 14 (“thrust into an underworld”). Japan race baiting and bashing (“people so concerned with ‘look’ could continue to destroy all international norms”) removed.
15. “During police investigations of the scene” added to new version. “He will work his way through the numerous stages of mediation and court” and “refusing to give up” removed.
I may have missed a few things, as I scanned the documents quickly. Mark Smith has a lot of explaining to do if he wants us to ever believe anything ever posted to crnjapan again.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Like Eido, above, I also happened to have a copy of the original version. But I haven’t gone through to see what changed.
I say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Obviously something is going on in the person’s relationship. It would just be good to know what the story is.
If the guy is showing people how badly he got beat up, why isn’t he giving his actual name? It’s like the 74-year-old “knife guy” in Shinjuku.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:09 am
As much as I think CRN Japan is necessary and does good, my original thought was that the original piece was shoddy at best and fiction at worse.
The fact that the article was nearly completely rewritten makes me believe it is a work of fiction.
Hope to hear more on this one and I would really be interested in the reasoning behind the major revision.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:59 am
“The fact that the article was nearly completely rewritten makes me believe it is a work of fiction.”
If the work were fiction, then that would make the first post, suggesting a legal fund, and the rapid provision of bank account details seem… unseemly.
In which case, let’s hope it’s just over-eager, hurried reporting…
November 18th, 2009 at 1:34 am
So CRNJAPAN has now pulled the story, claiming that the AU Consulate has flip flopped and refused to verify many important details that Chris Rees did verify earlier. A quick call to Chris at the AU embassy should confirm exactly how often CRNJAPAN contacted them and if in fact they changed their stance over time.
However, despite the above, the fact remains that the original article contained racist language, and Mark, the author (not the alleged victim, Mick), wrote the inflammatory language and then tried to hide it by editing it out after people on this board noticed it.
Mark still needs to explain himself (or apologize) as to why he thought racist language was initially appropriate for a group representing father’s and children’s rights in Japan.
Extremely counter-productive to the cause and unprofessional.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:36 am
CRN Japan has removed the link/ story completely from its website or at least taken it down to revise again. Seems like Debito’s readers debunked the story before it gained too much traction, although v 3.0 may reappear tomorrow.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Debito-san
I just want to offer my thoughts on your comments and apology.
I do not think you need to make any apology. You simply linked to another story that is important to all foreigners in Japan. As a matter of fact I think it is good to post these stories as it is better for readers to question (as we should all sources of information) things that we hear and read, especially those that are not well documented.
In the end, posting this story on your blog may have been what caused CRN Japan to take action, which in turn helps everyone….as outlandish claims or statements that we as a collective (the foreign population) cannot verify can reduce the effectiveness and call into question other valid concerns. It is better to get this information out….and then corrected as in the end it is in the best interest of any activist to only deal in fact, refrain from name calling to those that disagree, and finally be ready and able to back up claims.
In my opinion no apology needed and it is good that you are leaving this up. As far as we know more information may surface.
The photos are very compelling and I hope the dude is OK and hope that he is not really in as deep a pile of mung as the article leads us to believe.
Have a good one!
– “Mung”? I learn new words every day from comments.
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
In response to the many blogs, I would like to make the following short statement.
The Australian Embassy and Australian Consult General, Mr. Chris Reevs has and is currently in contact with the Kashihara City Police who are investigating this attempted murder. I can not make any other statements due to the investigation and the fact that media networks are currently collectng verifiable information from several sourses. In one additional note to where a person stated the photos were taken from tokyo? please go and ask the police at kashihara city police box near the 7/11 Kashiharaginju mae station store.
For additional information, the crime scene unit was contacted by the Australian Embassy regarding the BRICK as the weapon, however the senior Police Det stated to the Australian Embassy that they did not take the brick because they believed it was not the weoapon used. However on the 20th of this month Det Hugimoto (Female) came to my home to investigate the assault. However while here additional evidence was found, eg; 1 a foot print found in the garden MATCHED the foot print found in my house, 2 The BRICK which clearly showed my blood, hair and skin was shown to the det, 3 a portable small tape found on the other side of the fence clearly stating the name of the abusive recording of a family member, 4 my watch which also showed damage and trace elements from the brick with my blood and hair. The above matches the doctors report of multiple blunt forced trauma to the victims head.
Before anyone else post questions of doubt, please get your facts 1st.
Thank you for the hundreds of people who know me and the Doctors from Nara, Kyoto and Osaka who have helped me.
If anyone could send any food and little money I would be deeply appreciate any kindness.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 am
>I am the person assaulted in the pictures Says: If anyone could send any food and little money I would be deeply appreciate >any kindness. says
Do you need any help recovering the data off your computers that were damaged?
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 am
>a person stated the photos were taken from tokyo? please go and ask the police at kashihara city police box near the 7/11 Kashiharaginju mae station store.
Mick, I posted that, and I was only wondering about the photo of the koban, which (unless I’m wrong) is 清正公 (Seishoko), which is in Tokyo. The CRJ story didn’t mention the real name of the actual koban involved in your case, which makes it look like they just took a generic photo of any koban they could find, or thought that we readers wouldn’t be bothered to look at the name on the sign in the photo.
Demand that they use a photo of the actual koban that refused to take the brick in as evidence! They should be named and shamed!
November 24th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Response,
I will release as much in formation as legally possible in time. The Australian Embassy and Consult and I are currently waiting on a letter from the kashihara Police intervestigation team regarding 6 items at the crime scene which were ignored. I also have half loss of hearing in my right ear and blurred vision in my left eye, with concussion which would kill an elephant. However due to my wife, Hanae Inaba of Asuka (Kaashihara) has emptied out all monies from my account and taken the car and has left me with a high debit which I can not pay. I am going for perment residencey in Feburary however the lawyer stated he want about 300,000 to 600,000 yen which is not 100 % I will get Permement residence so I can stay and fight to see my daughter. Regards to other charges I have filed with the Kashihara Police and the Yamato Takata Family court, (Hanae father)Yoshinori Inaba and (brother^in law)Fumikai Ueda. The charges are Child Abuse, Sexual Child Abuse, endanagerment of a child and Blackmail. The Police and Courts has been aware of the situation with documents lodged over 9 months however no action has been taken.
If anyone could find it in your heart to advise me or somehow help me save my daughter I will offer my life for hers.
Even if we could have a coffee together so I have someone to talk too. Please
God bless you all – Loving Kindness and compassion
November 24th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
This email was received today and clearly showns the legal reasons behind the Australian Embassy and Consult not to release information regarding the attemped murder case now being investigayed by the kashihara Police, In which the 6 items of evidence in relation to the cae are still at my home.
Chris-Rees (Osaka)
to me
show details 2:24 PM (1 hour ago)
Dear XXXXXXXX,
Thank you for your email of 23 November in which you ask, among other things, that we release information about your case to the media. Please note that it is not within our role or remit to release information regarding consular cases to media outlets.
I note that you are now receiving professional advice from CRN and that you are now in direct communication with the Kashihara Police following the interview with them at your home last Friday.
I also note your request for further assistance with the Kashihara police. The nature of your requests, such as being involved in ongoing dialogue between you and the Kashihara Police, fall outside our (or any country’s) consular jurisdiction to provide consular services in accordance with international law and practice.
Finally, I am able to confirm that Kashihara Police have informed local child welfare authorities of your concerns about your daughter’s safety.
I trust that the assistance you are now receiving from your lawyer, the police and CRN will allow your situation to be resolved.
Yours,
Chris Rees
November 24th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Hi
Just a quick aside. Applying for (and getting) PR costs about 10,000 yen -the application is about 7,000 and you need some documents from your local office (city hall, ward office, etc.). You certainly don’t need a lawyer and you really don’t need to pay 300,000 to 600,000 yen.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
To Attacked victim,
Mr,I’m in same situation of you with my daugther here in japan,
exept nobody attack me,at this time..
I m sorry for people who doubt of you,I understand your pain and interest for your daughter,
I’m in tokyo,if I can help you,meet,talk, no problem,
I can’t help you with money now,my japanese wife put me in reel bad situation
November 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Eido Inoue Says:
November 18th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Mark still needs to explain himself (or apologize) as to why he thought racist language was initially appropriate for a group representing father’s and children’s rights in Japan.
Extremely counter-productive to the cause and unprofessional.
As japanese media and politicians (Ishihara,tamogami,nakayama,people in general in japan)ne..?
We waiting they apologize too
November 24th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
In Relation to if it was raining on the Saturday morning at approximately 4,30am.> If was pouring.
Ask the kashihara police or the paramedics at the scene. paramedic station Kashihara,
I am sorry ladies and gents, this story is true and sad to the fact that instead of questioning the facts or the story, think of the situation my daughter is in. And as a dad, please think to your self, If you knew your daughter was in a place where abuse and sexual abuse was proven to take place, what would you do as a dad? I have done everything I can legally, as told by my Embassy that if I do anything illegal I will lose all hope of knowing my daughter not just seeing her, holding her, kissing her and saying I love you. But never knowing her.
This blog should be in line with what can we do as a international group to fight the inhuman and injustice which has plagued japan for years. The most important point here is the children and the thousands of fathers and mothers left behind, not if it rain on the night of the attack in question, I want to have international media coverage because I believe in my heart that what I have experienced and lived though should be told, not just for me but because it will help the thousands of mums and dads that can not seem hold, play or say I love you to their babies.. It is a point that children need mum and dad regardless of divorce. Understanding two people can divorce, as long as they both understand that child has the right to have both parents in their life,
If you want my real name and contact details, I authorize Debito to release this information to members only.
loving kindness and compassion to all
November 25th, 2009 at 5:22 am
I am the victums neighor, I read artical and see the people said no rain on night of attacking, I say this is wrong fully. I was outside at my friends house with Kasatsu and raining very hard. I worry with wife because of my friends lige and trouble from his wife, Many people in houses close to my friends know of his wifes angryaryly father and when his wife do attempeing suicu\ide and stab phone book 50 times in fornt of his baby. My friend I know 4 years and is great nice peerson for many people in shirakashi choem.
All people in my area know my friend as dotor for universatusty and other hopsiaicals. my wife and me hope people can help my friend , we now take him food as he has no money because of wife and her family, as japanese I am shamed for this action of his wife and friend. we aploigse to western persons.
thank you
Michiro Matsura,
November 25th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Dear Marc,
As a mother, I can imagine your pain.I’m not in Japan right now, but my heart is with you.As for Mr Rees, maybe he is being lazy. If your daughter has Australian passport too (according to the Japanese law she can have both Japanese and foreign passport until she’s 21), she can be considered Australian citizen and if an Australian citizen is kidnapped shouldn’t the embassy do something?
BTW, I think the data still can be recovered from the HD, but you need to see a really good engineer.Isn’t there anyone who can help?
November 25th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Norik, dual nationals are always subject to the laws of the country they are in (Japan or Australia, in the hypothetical case you mentioned).
November 26th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
>> “Norik, dual nationals are always subject to the laws of the country they are in (Japan or Australia, in the hypothetical case you mentioned).”
Actually, everyone is always subject to the laws of the country they are in, dual national or not.
November 26th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
@Iago
Sorry, should have added ‘and not eligible to receive consular help or other special services from their other government or embassy’.
You know what I mean
November 27th, 2009 at 12:43 am
To all bloggers on Debito`s site.
Today, I had time to reflect on my situation and realized the following important points.
Mark Smith at CRN, was referred to me by the Australian Government because of his long working efforts in thousands of cases and in assisting people like me. If it was not for Mark, I could not honestly say where I would be today. The CRN web site information and news, made me realize that I am not alone and that it is possible to find a little peace in the chaos. Mark made time for me even though he himself was dealing with other cases and still working. To Mark and the CRN crew, I can not find the words to say, but just thank you.
The second person is Mr. Debito, short and sweet, a man of his word, and to the point. Mr. Debito`s website should be read by millions for the simple reason of the quality of information which would only benefit others. PERIOD!!
Thirdly, to all the strangers, I don`t know who have helped me, I am speechless. I wish I could find the right words to express my deepest gratitude, the best I can do is send preys to you all and say, thank you.
Lets come together as one family and fight this thing.
November 27th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Update: Kashihara Criminal Investigation Unit, Nara Prefecture japan.
Det. Hugimoto Kashihara Police stations has or is making inquiries regarding the attempted murder of XXXXXX XXXXX in Kashihara city. The Det. (has stated in a recorded interview with me at my house on Friday),is questioning the involvement of YAKUZA from the area of Osaka and the possible links to a second attempted being organized. However, I don`t believe or I find it hard to believe that the YAKUZA would be interested in me.
The other recording I have are of the Yamato Takada Family court mediator laughing during every session of my mediation, and at the last mediation my lawyer had to request the mediator to stop laughing and to take the matter seriously. (Recorded) The other recording of are Kashihara Police officers at kashihara city and Nara Ken Hombu Police stations in recorded interviews by me regarding the criminal charges of child abuse etc. against the family offenders.
Also, Det. yamatano? has confirmed that Hanae Inaba (Wife) has admitted to being mentally ill (eg; Attempted suicide and stabbing a phone book 37 time next to our daughter of 11 months at that time. And is now being investigated by the Child welfare investigation division from Kashihara City. However I am yet to be interviewed by them at this stage however a request will need to be lodged next Monday though the Police and Lawyer.
I can now release this information as it has been lodged with police and court and is available to the public. However any other on going information within the police, Child Welfare Division and my lawyers is confidential unit the time the trail day. After this time I will be releasing other information not yet available.
In relation to the evidence ignored by police at the time of the crime, I have asked that a letter from the Australian Embassy and my lawyer to be issued (Friday) to the Kashihara Police for the reasoning behind the ignored evidence. eg+ Blood pool approximately 500ml (not including blood soaked clothes) with a brick of unknown origin on the floor beside the blood pool. The brick can clearly be seen to have blood, hair and skin on it. The other evidence is withheld information until we receive a reply from the Kashihara Police investigation unit.
I hope to upload photos soon.
REQUEST;
I would also like to ask if there is anyone who can help me go though the recording and Japanese documentation which is totally unorganized due to the ransacking of my house. I need to present additional evidence and finding in family court on the 18th of this month. I live in kashihara city Nara. With my present health condition I am unable to travel long distances, if possible could someone come to home.
All related released (Open to Public)information regarding my case will be released on the 3rd of December at a congress involving the Japanese DIET Tokyo on the 3rd of December.
Thank you
Loving Kindness and Compassion to all The LBP