Case 196: Boy A

DESCRIPTION
** Warning: This case involves a child victim **
In March 1997, residents of the city of Kobe, Japan were horrified when dead and mutilated cats began appearing at random along sidewalks. The public’s horror intensified when two children in the area - Ayaka Yamashita and Jun Hase were savagely murdered within a few months of each other...
CREDITS
Narration - Anonymous Host
Research & writing - Jessica Forsayeth
Creative direction - Milly Raso
Production and music - Mike Migas
Music - Andrew D.B. Joslyn
SOCIAL LINKS
Website
www.casefilepo...
Facebook
/ casefile
Twitter
/ case_file
Instagram
/ casefilepodcast
Patreon
/ casefile
Casefile Presents
casefilepresen...
RESOURCES
For all credits and sources please visit casefilepodcas...

[@Roaming725]

Thank you for covering this. Throughout his life, he consistently puts his desires over everybody else: his parents, cats, frogs, children, and the victims' families--obviously he's not remorseful. He wanted to keep feeding off of the pain he causes. Since he didn't want to lose his freedom as an adult, instead of killing, he published a book to torture the surviving families all over again. I hope karma gets him good.

[@orlandomota6685]

I’m not even halfway through this case and I’m already sick to my stomach….this is evil!

[@sarahsarah3945]

How disturbing! Doesn't sound like he's rehabilitated at all!

[@pearlkenna5745]

Totally agree its outrageous

[@WakeyWakeyEggsandBakey]

I don't believe that people who kill children can be rehabilitated, in the most part. The killings are for different reasons than killing adults. Children are completely blameless and innocent, and although obviously killing adults is despicable, it's in my opinion, a completely different kettle of fish when someone kills children. It's invariably for sexual gratification or pleasure and someone that broken can't be fixed and even if there's a slim chance that they can be, I don't think it's worth the risk... imagine the families, the parents not to mention the general public- they will be terrified at knowing this person is walking among them again and imo, those people are victims too and their wellbeing should be considered. There are soooo many cases I can recall where someone is released after killing someone and then, shock horror, they reoffend, having had a psychiatrist sing their praises about how they are a different person now. Well I don't think a child killer can be fixed. And like I said, the risks are too high to even chance it. They lost their chance at living in society. Its not like we'r talking about shoplifting or speeding. Ugh, it's just horrendous. Sorry, rant over. Hope you had a peaceful holiday. Best wishes from Kerry in England ❤

[@drink_with_the_dead]

​@@WakeyWakeyEggsandBakeyagreed 💯

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

Rehabilitation doesn't exist

[@nickelsworthmytencents393]

Once a sadist. Always a sadist...and PROUD OF IT, it seems.

[@WakeyWakeyEggsandBakey]

Is it just me who feels that anyone who murders children should never be released from prison? I believe that sometimes, very rarely, people can be rehabilitated especially if they are were children at the time of the crimes. However, the risk that they will reoffend and do something similar again is, for me, far too great to take the chance. The number of cases I've researched where the perpetrator reoffends after release is shocking. Yes, some don't reoffend but many do and I personally believe that releasing child murderers has repercussions that go far beyond the life of the offender. The family of the children murdered, and the public in general are at risk not to mention their psychological and emotional wellbeing isn't taken into consideration when releasing these offenders and in my opinion, those things are way more important than giving the offence another chance. What do you think? Am I being too judgemental? Is giving child killers the benefit of the doubt and a second chance at a new life as or more important than the emotional and mental wellbeing of the victims' families and the general public? Or should the life of the perpetrator come first? Is it possible for someone who kills children to be rehabilitated? Obviously, a child probably didn't do anything that could motive someone to murder them, such as cheat on them or do anything that an adult might do to somehow provoke an attack... a child killer does it for sexual and/or pleasure purposes and in my opinion, that can't be healed in s person. What are your thoughts? Best wishes from Kerry in England ❤

[@thecatatemyhomework]

Someone like him should never be released. He's not going to change. He will always have that compulsion to murder.

[@VladRadu-tq1pg]

you re 100% right obviously...anyone with a brain could see that

[@dsd7004]

If they are a child themselves, a whole life sentence would be very harsh. You one of them people who think the Bulger killers should of stayed in prison for something done at 12? years age

[@beverlyhitchon4901]

@@dsd7004 in the case of one of the bulger killers, yes as he’s proven that he can’t be rehabilitated and has offended every time he’s been let out! All have been concerned with child porn, are we to really trust him given how poor James was killed? Don’t think so.

[@nancychisholm5399]

For those about to watch, the bodum and I salute you! Apparently this is the first view and like. thank you Casefile and team! Greeting and salutations from Cabbagetown in Toronto.

[@nancychisholm5399]

@Camelot House it is a wonderful neighborhood1 Very diverse and a small town vibe in a big city. You know your neighbors and people greet each other and look out for one another. (Gentrification was attempted but failed due to our communities inclusive nature)

[@danrobinson572]

I’m surprised the public or relatives didn’t make him disappear for good.

[@leon3283]

Great job as always from someone who binges on your shows! I find it very disturbing how modern society seems willing in a case like this to accuse the school system, exam pressure, and even the traditional reserve existing for centuries in a national culture and temperament, but never ever ever the violence depicted in the media. That's taboo. Even in this particular case, where this evil killer admitted to have been inspired by violent media. Another token of insanity: so, we protect the identity of a juvenile killer (even after he reaches adulthood), but we allow him to write and publish a memoir in which he defiles the memory of his victims (which are publicly identified) and tortures their families with horrid detail, and to then enjoy the fruits of his success. Which success is basically guaranteed in a society like this. Something is deeply wrong in this picture.

[@cm9439]

This is heartbreaking and sickening. What kind of justice is that? This freak is not rehabilitated.

[@Animelover22111]

Poor kids and kitties...

[@VicTheFigGuy]

God, what is up with the Justice system in some parts of the world where punishment for such heinous crimes is so light?!

[@geesmash5717]

WOW. Unsettling to say the least. Confused about the choice to let "Boy A" free.

[@nikiwalkey8114]

He should never have been allowed to glorify his crimes by publishing a book? Disgusting. He was in no way sorry for anything he did.

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

Thank you.

[@annikamunson7161]

“one of the safest places on earth” proceeds to list multiple violent crimes that happened in the span of one month 😭

[@danrobinson572]

What kind of sentence is that!

[@zafran20]

What a stupid justice system. Being released into society in itself is completely unwarranted, but the fact that he’s not even required to check in with a parole officer or something to keep track of his whereabouts/activities/mentalhealth astonishes and shocks me!!

[@roshandmatabick6676]

Boy A could be anywhere. No he is not in jail.

[@crimeteetee]

This should be of interest

[@naomiledger1374]

I can't imagine what it was about Boy A that convinced a parole board to release him. Every red flag was present indicating a dangerous narcissistic psychopath. I also thought it seemed a bit ludicrous to blame comics and video games when allegedly Boy A's actions were an anomaly in Japan and particularly in safe Kobe. I hope Boy A can maintain an uneventful future, for the good of those who now have to live around him.

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

Its unbelievable they let this twisted monster out

[@famachris]

Where’s the Punisher when you need him?

[@Misskittycat8]

Like your voice......will listen....

[@amandasiddle6571]

Thanku ♥️

[@Jimmytheman1]

“Acts worse than murder…” this sounds like one sick individual…

[@AMYV3]

Thank you. You truly are the best at this. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼♥️🇨🇦

[@jamesparsons9068]

Just listened to this on my phone and it is both a fascinating, and very worrying, case. Although the Casefile Presents that they promote on this podcast Searching for Sarah MacDiarmad appears to have an incorrect feed/link because it points you to a completely different case related to a woman who goes missing on a camping trip. Although the name of the podcast appears to be correct. Strange?? One for Casefile?

[@hawkstajeffhawksta9229]

Don't know what you think of wine but yeah did U hear all the wine ads

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

​@@hawkstajeffhawksta9229 Ridiculous

[@roadwarrior528]

This psycho deserves life in prison, and I hope he's getting what's coming to him soon. However, the one part in this story I'm ok with is him defending himself against the bully with a lead pipe blow to the head. Honestly, bullies deserve worse. The bully should have been expelled, not him.

[@TwoMiceOnMyBookshelf]

5 AM. Can’t sleep. Why am I here. I should be at Joe Pera’s.

[@TwoMiceOnMyBookshelf]

@@PaulRudd1941 He did. Then my cat woke me up 💀

[@arcade6694]

“japan is one of the safest places in the world” like there isn’t a huge misogyny + SA problem there🤧🤧 it’s heavily under reported, which is why they never appear on ‘official’ crime charts. there’s a reason why the camera shutter sounds can’t be turned off, and why there’s female-only trains.

[@thecatatemyhomework]

I wouldn't blame anyone but that boy, and maybe his parents, depending on how they brought him up. What he did was an extremely rare occurrence.

[@friendlylaser]

No amount of manga would make you a serial killer. And after that hey just let him go? Amazing stupidity.

[@ibraheemtemur3469]

Western (or developed world things because Japan isnt in the west) holidays seem out of touch with reality. Ive seen homeless children suffering in the streets, hell, 15 years ago i was one of them. The west is hollow and doesnt care from the rest of us. Okay, i can get behind this! When the world spits at your face, you spit back. Thats how i lived for years during the war, and i can understand why kids shouldnt be put under too much pressure. A child soldier and a japanese student arent the same thing, but both are manipulated and abused by adults who should protect them! And good for him that he is free. I broke my own chains, mostly because they were of my own making, but he needed the japanese parole board to break his. Im glad that they did.

[@KrystalLioness]

This is generational and a worldwide/societal problem. It's especially people like you who can make a difference for the positive.

[@VladRadu-tq1pg]

you sound like a grabge deluded human being

[@kimgarciacruz2983]

Holy shiz

[@ssn-5898]

Had to pause for a moment when the kids head was found on the gate. Yeesh…

[@davidgibbs1288]

It's pronounced Kobee .. like the beef..

[@Roaming725]

He pronounced it correctly. Most of the time, English speakers can't say it correctly, so Kobee is how it's known 🤷‍♂️

[@WakeyWakeyEggsandBakey]

@@Roaming725 hi are you Japanese/a Japanese speaker? I ask because I am very interested in knowing how the Japanese words and names should be pronounced. So the correct pronunciation of Kobe is like kor-beh? I have always wanted to learn Japanese. I find it to be a beautiful and musical language. I've previously learned a few words and short phrases on free websites but I gave up learning, I guess I was too busy with other things and it was pretty difficult. Anyway, if you can confirm this for me I'd be grateful. Thanks. Best wishes from Kerry in England ❤

[@Roaming725]

@@WakeyWakeyEggsandBakey Hi there, yes I am! The correct pronunciation is ko-beh. Btw Tofugu seems to have a very thorough guide on pronunciation on their website. Though it's a very different language compared to English, once you learn the main principles, you can pronounce anything in Japanese because it's phonetic! Ganbare!! 💪

[@jjames6552]

Starts 3.52