Regarding Robert McKinney's opinion ("No advantage in a media circus," Aug. 7 letter) of my July 31 letter ("A HREF="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/rc20080731a4.html">Mind boggles at police reports"): Perhaps the female slasher who attacked six at Hiratsuka Station is "mentally impaired" — but not, apparently, enough to prevent her from doing a "part-time job." I am sorry if she is "mentally impaired," but my point is that "suspects" and "criminals" in this country often remain unnamed. As far as a "media circus," what hasn't become one? That is the current, sad state of "journalism."
As for "Japanese police" trying to "arrest everyone in Japan who purchased child pornography," that wasn't my point. What bothered me was that the cited article said "But it remains legal in Japan to possess child pornography for individual use." My question is: why?
The reason I came to Japan was because of the horrific violence in Los Angeles, my hometown. My experience in Japan for the last 15 years continues to be one of a relatively peaceful, low-crime nation. But I am entitled, whether I am a "citizen" or "foreign resident," to comment or complain about things that don't seem right to me. And I can assure you, I feel no smug moral superiority about my own country, where people feel free to shoot anyone they feel like. On the other hand, let's not kid ourselves: Japan is home to any number of violent crimes — and sadly, they are increasing.
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