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FUKUOKA--A man indicted on suspicion of threatening online to go on a random stabbing spree if two concerts at a Fukuoka venue were not canceled has paid in full about 1.2 million yen demanded by the foundation that operates the venue as compensation, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The Foundation of Fukuoka Convention Center was forced to beef up security at the venue in Hakata Ward and demanded Takayoshi Nakano pay the sum to cover the additional costs involved for the shows by singer Ken Hirai.
"I bought tickets to go to the concert with my girlfriend, but couldn't go because we'd split up," Nakano reportedly told police when questioned about his motive. "It was my way of taking revenge on her."
Nakano, 31, a company executive from Kurume in the prefecture, is being tried for fraudulent interference in business. His trial opened at the Fukuoka District Court on Friday afternoon.
Since a man went on a stabbing rampage in Tokyo's Akihabara district in June after posting a message on an Internet bulletin board expressing his intention to do so, a number of people across the country have posted similar warnings online.
But cases in which victims have demanded compensation from perpetrators have been few and far between.
Some experts believe that attempting to hold people liable for such acts, in addition to criminal indictments, will act as a deterrent to prevent other would-be online menaces.
According to the indictment, Nakano wrote the threatening messages on a mobile phone bulletin board on July 2.
One message said: "Cancel the concert at the Marinemesse Fukuoka. I'll stab people indiscriminately. I'll shoot randomly when security guards are present. Then I'll commit suicide."
The foundation and the Fukuoka-based concert organizer claim the defendant obstructed their business and the work of the Fukuoka prefectural police.
According to foundation, the Ken Hirai shows were held as scheduled on the evenings of July 5 and 6 amid tight security. The foundation asked a private security firm to supply additional personnel and had some of its staff work overtime.
The prefectural police identified Nakano from message records and arrested him later in July.
The foundation demanded Nakano pay about 1.2 million yen to cover additional security and other costs.
The defendant paid the full amount the same month and reportedly also agreed to pay damages to the concert organizer. He also sent a letter of profuse apology to the foundation.
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