OSAKA, Feb 19 (News On Japan) –
A brutal stabbing in Osaka’s Minami district late final week left three younger males wounded, one fatally, elevating new questions concerning the altering atmosphere round a widely known youth gathering spot beneath the Glico check in Dotonbori.
The incident, which occurred late on February 14th, noticed three 17-year-old males attacked with a knife. Ryunosuke Kamata, an organization worker from Nara Prefecture, died after being stabbed within the chest, whereas one other sufferer stays unconscious in vital situation and a 3rd sustained critical accidents. Police arrested suspect Ryo Iwasaki on suspicion of homicide, although he has reportedly denied intent to kill.
Investigators say the deadly wound pierced Kamata’s coronary heart, and extra stab wounds reached the liver and neck, suggesting sturdy intent. Footage obtained by reporters seems to point out a person believed to be Iwasaki shortly earlier than his arrest strolling by means of the realm, discarding an merchandise and placing on what regarded like gloves. Police say the suspect was carrying gloves on the time of the assault and will have modified them.
Authorities imagine the suspect and the victims had met shortly earlier than the incident at an space referred to as “Gurishita,” the area beneath the enduring Glico billboard the place younger individuals have gathered for a number of years. Once seen as a spot for teens battling loneliness or household points to seek out companionship, the location has more and more change into related to drug use, underage ingesting, and transactional relationships, in line with interviews performed by Kansai TV’s News Runner program.
People aware of the realm say its environment has shifted in recent times. Some declare people now frequent the placement to make cash by means of intimidation, theft, or different illicit actions. Others report a rise in drug overdoses and arranged teams exerting management over youthful guests. One common described the realm bluntly: “It’s not a place you should come anymore.”
Several sources who knew the suspect stated he appeared to function underneath people who held affect over the realm and was typically seen carrying a knife. They described frequent confrontations, generally sparked by minor incidents comparable to bumping into somebody, that might escalate shortly into violence.
Following the incident, fewer younger individuals had been seen on the website, although international vacationers continued to cross by means of. A person who has visited Gurishita for a number of years stated organized teams and people carrying weapons had change into extra widespread over the previous two years, including that some individuals now come particularly as a result of they imagine they’ll earn cash there by means of legal actions.
Video obtained in the course of the investigation seems to point out teams related to the realm utilizing threats and violence to settle disputes, a apply generally referred to domestically as “tsume.” Those aware of Gurishita say the absence of clear hierarchies amongst youths can result in misunderstandings and conflicts, whereas the presence of organized actors has made the atmosphere extra harmful.
Experts and commentators notice similarities with different city youth gathering spots, comparable to areas in Tokyo the place susceptible younger individuals congregate and generally change into targets for recruitment into legal actions. They argue that stronger patrols and cooperation between native governments, police, and volunteer teams are wanted, however stress that prevention should start earlier by addressing the isolation and lack of protected areas that draw younger individuals to such places within the first place.
The investigation into the Dotonbori stabbing continues, however the case has already drawn consideration to the evolving actuality of Gurishita, the place a spot as soon as seen as a refuge for troubled youths is more and more seen as a breeding floor for organized violence and crime.
Source: KTV NEWS