A crowded train in motion is in an extremely "dense" state.If it is an express or limited express train, it takes a long time to reach the next stop.In such a situation, what if oil is sprinkled and set on fire, and a knife is swung around...For those who commute by train to work or school on a daily basis, this must be a terrifying experience. On the Odakyu Line in August 2021 and the Keio Line in October of the same year, incidents that attempted indiscriminate mass murder in this manner continued.The defendants were each sentenced to 8 years in prison for the Odakyu line case and 10 years for the Keio line case (Tokyo district court, lay judge trial).
Therefore, let us clarify the characteristics of indiscriminate mass murderers by looking back on two incidents.
Feature XNUMX: The top priority is to choose a place where you can kill a large number of unrelated people without targeting the person you hold a grudge against.
In the case of Odakyu, the suspect was discovered shoplifting., the store clerk and police officer who responded.In the case of Keio Line, it seems that he held a grudge against his ex-girlfriend, but he did not do anything about it.On the other hand, in the case of indiscriminate mass murder cases, the line ``I could have killed anyone'' is often heard from the suspects' mouths.In other words, their major characteristic is that they do not directly aim at the life of the person against whom they actually hold a grudge.Instead, the target of the crime is determined by giving top priority to temporal and spatial conditions that allow the killing of many people at once.In the two cases mentioned at the beginning, it can be said that a ``crowded train'' was chosen as the best place to carry out the crime, as it had nothing to do with the person against whom the suspect had a grudge.
Feature XNUMX: Effects of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder
The real motivation for their actions is to release their inner frustration.The suspect on the Odakyu Line ``decides to commit indiscriminate mass murder in order to vent his anger towards happy people and society,'' believing that ``I'm the only one who's drawing the shortfall,'' and ``close to the type of man who is fascinated by men. A 20-year-old woman who thought,Their characteristic is that even if they fail at something, they do not think that their effort was insufficient or their ability was insufficient.Because thinking like that hurts you.Also, even if they are fired from their employers, they put their own faults aside and unilaterally blame the employer who fired them.In other words, they love themselves so much and think selfishly.This is the hallmark of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
As a result, they turn their anger into actions that do not conform to social norms, that is, violence, which is the ultimate destructive action of killing many people at once.This applies to antisocial personality disorder in terms of recklessness, consistent irresponsibility, and lack of remorse without regard for one's own safety or that of others.
Feature XNUMX: The ultimate purpose of killing a large number of people is the desire to show off
At the bottom of their hearts, they have a desire to show off and draw attention to themselves by showing the world that they are capable of something so tragic and terrifying as indiscriminate mass murder.They cannot become socially successful, heroes, and people who are looked upon with envy or respect.Therefore, he has no choice but to stand out by being hated and feared.Although it was Halloween night, the suspect in the Keio Line incident was dressed as the "evil" Joker.After stabbing the victim with a knife, he was shown on TV many times smoking a cigarette in the car.That scene fulfills their desire for self-expression..
Feature ④: Copycat phenomenon (the occurrence of one incident induces the next copycat crime)
Incidents of this kind have been preceded by similar incidents.They learn that when an indiscriminate mass murder occurs, gets a lot of media coverage, and gets a big public reaction, this is how they can make themselves stand out.The suspects themselves say that the Odakyu line case was a 2015 Shinkansen murder, while the Keio line case mimicked none other than the Odakyu line incident.Speaking of oil-sprinkled arson, the 2019 Kyoto Animation incident (36 deaths) is a precedent, and after the Odakyu/Keio Line, the Osaka Station Clinic arson incident (26 deaths) occurred (at the end of 2021). ).
Characteristic XNUMX: Has suicidal thoughts but does not have the courage to die alone (so it is not an extended suicide)
He tried to commit suicide before something happened on the Odakyu and Keio lines, but in reality he couldn't die alone.There he says he wanted to kill so many people that he wanted to be put to death.For this reason, some researchers consider their actions to be "extended suicide," but their true purpose is not to die. "If you want to die (without taking many people with you and killing them in large numbers), die alone," the words of the "scholar" mean nothing to them.They don't even have the courage to commit suicide.
Feature XNUMX: Crossing the final line with mental isolation and economic hardship
They are not good at maintaining good human relationships on a daily basis.Narcissistic and sociopathic personality disorder leads to the gradual separation of once-close friends and partners.In other words, there was no one to talk to them immediately before the incident, and the suspect on the Odakyu Line said, "I was looked down on by my male friends and treated lightly by my female friends," and was in a state of mental isolation. was inBoth of the suspects do not have a regular job and are constantly working part-time.Eventually, my savings will run out, I will not be able to borrow money, and I will be financially bankrupt.In the Odakyu Line Incident, he repeatedly shoplifted while receiving public assistance.The suspects on the Keio Line had less than 2 yen in their possession at the time of their arrest, and both were struggling with their daily lives.
Characteristic XNUMX: Desperate and not having an escape plan
In the end, it becomes desperation that it doesn't matter what happens.There, unlike other crimes, both men are arrested shortly after, with no intention of running away to survive after achieving their goal.
Considering this, in order to prevent the recurrence of this type of incident, it is important to have someone close to them who can empathize with them and listen to them empathetically.A safety net system that facilitates the support of psychiatrists and licensed psychologists would be effective.A survey by the Ministry of Justice points out that it is necessary to pay particular attention to those who have a history of violent crime and who have suicidal thoughts, as they may commit mass murder.As with any crime, if people have a place to live and a role to play, a job that makes them feel worthwhile and worthwhile, and an income, they should not commit crimes.
