Let's Japan.org Debunking Eikaiwa and Ramblings in Japan

This got buried in my stack of stuff to do, but why not haul out the rotten corpse that is Fortress Japan for another round of flogging? To recap, the Consumer Affairs Agency shut down Fortress Japan in February for six months over its coercive methods of signing up new students. The agency's report [PDF] contains five case studies that illustrate how Fortress Japan did business.

You are probably already familiar with Fortress Japan's sleazy conduct, but the stupidity of its victims also shines through. Why did they sign? Where they mentally worn down to the point of being unable to leave the room or were they scared into signing? Fortress Japan's suspension ends August 18 and I wonder if they will return to their dirty tricks if they return at all. Here's a summary of the case studies.

CASE 1

In March 2009, Employee Z from Fortress Japan stopped Consumer A, who was in the midst of looking for a job, in a train station and asked if he would answer a questionnaire. He agreed.

Days later, Z called A on the mobile phone number he left on the questionnaire. She identified herself as Z from Global Trinity and asked A if remembered the questionnaire from the other day. For the next 20 minutes, she told him about an information session that would be useful in A's job, saying that it included one-on-one counseling, that it was popular, and that seats would fill up quickly. A was interested and said he would attend the session at Fortress Japan.

A went to Fortress Japan at the appointed time and date, where Z led him into small room. Using newspaper clippings, Z proceeded to explain to A the importance of being able to speak English and how it would benefit him in a severe the job market. Z also produced a pamphlet which she used to introduce Global Trinity to A, explaining that it offered employment skills and personal development seminars in order to succeed in finding a job as well as English lessons that A could take at any time without any restrictions.

A, realizing that two and half hours had elapsed and that Z wasn't about to finish, informed Z that he was leaving. Z replied that she was almost done and to wait a bit longer. On hearing the exchange, Z's boss jumped in to tell A that Z's presentation was almost finished. So, A let Z continue. A asked how much English lessons were after thinking that studying English would give him an edge in his job search. Z replied that she would tell him the next time they met. Wanting to know how much lessons cost, he arranged for another meeting.

Days after the first meeting, A returned to Fortress Japan where Z led him to the same small room and proceeded to talk about importance of English and the lesson fees. Z informed A that it cost 570,000 yen for 10 months and that A could take any number of lessons at any time he wanted in any course offered, all at the same price. On hearing the cost, A informed Z that he wanted to talk things over with his parents since he had no savings and couldn't carry a loan by working part-time. Z told him that A could increase his hours at his part-time job. A replied that getting more hours would be difficult, to which Z replied that he would be a failure in life and accomplish nothing if he didn't start now, and that he should work more hours. Z also pressured A into making the decision himself by saying that A was an adult and didn't need his parents to make decisions for him. Just then, Z's boss, Y, appeared and told A the reason he couldn't decide was because he didn't have the resolve and was weak. A signed a contract, thinking that they would not let him leave unless he did so.

A later took a level check at a Global Trinity school and was told he was at Level 1. Just as he was about to start his studies based on the curriculum for his level, he was unable to book a lesson three out of four times he tried. Moreover, A found that there were times when the lesson schedule that was released two weeks in advance of classes was suddenly released only 3 days in advance, making it difficult for A to book a class. He was never able to take lessons as he intended due the large number of Level 1 students all trying to make lessons reservations.

CASE 2

In April 2009, Employee X from Fortress Japan stopped Consumer B at a train station while he was on his way to university and asked him if he would fill out a questionnaire about English. B agreed.

That night, X called B on the mobile phone number he gave on the questionnaire. She identified herself as X from Global Trinity and thanked B for his help with the questionnaire at the train station earlier that day. She asked about B's university life and search for a job, and informed him of a popular English conversation information session that was filling up fast. Since B was aware how important being able to speak English was, he made an appointment with X for the next day.

B met X at the train station closest to Fortress Japan, where X escorted him to the building where Fortress Japan had an office. B was led into a small, partitioned room on a different floor than Fortress Japan. X then began a one-way spiel and informed B that Fortress Japan operated an English conversation school and job seminars, and that it had a lot of good things to offer. X also informed B that taking Fortress Japan's English lessons and job seminars would make him a go-getter, instilling within him assertiveness, responsibility, and ambition. X asked B to come tomorrow for a more detailed explanation about the English lessons. Since B was interested in studying English, he agreed to meet the next day.

The next day, B went to the same place to hear more about the English lessons. As with the previous day, X told him about the lessons and job seminars. Interested in signing a contract, B asked about how much it all cost. X didn't answer his question and repeatedly told B that the English lessons were a great opportunity for busy university students such as himself as he could take lessons any time he wanted. B thought that taking the classes would change him. After speaking for nearly four hours, X informed B that she would discuss lesson fees the next time they met and that he should come again tomorrow. Although B was busy that day, he made an appointment for another day.

Several days later, B met with X to talk about lesson fees. As with previous meetings, X again repeatedly told B of the importance of English and job seminars, telling him that English lessons were a great opportunity for busy university students such as himself since he could take lessons any time he wanted. Concerned about how much everything cost, he asked about the price. X told him it was 500,000 yen for 10 months and that he could make a lump sum payment or pay in 24 monthly installments of 24,000 yen by credit card. Knowing it would be difficult to make monthly payments of 24,000 yen and go to school at the same time, B asked for some time to think things over. X pressured B into making a decision by telling him things such as, "500,000 may seem expensive, but it's an investment in yourself. It's cheap when you consider you'll be able to speak English," and "You can decide on your own. You're older than 20." X pressured B for more than two hours before he finally signed a contract.

After signing the contract and going to the school to find out if he could take lessons any time he wanted to, the receptionist told him that all lessons had to be booked and that there was a curriculum for each particular language level. B realized that he would not be able to take lessons at a time of his choosing.

When B tried to book lessons in the fee time he had in between his university studies, classes were filled quickly and he was only able to make a reservation about half the time he tried.

CASE 3

In the Spring of 2008, University Student C, who had filled out a questionnaire on English conversation while on his way to school, received a call on his mobile phone from an unknown number but decided not to answer.

In May 2009, he received a call on his mobile phone and answered it. The person on the line was W from Fortress Japan. She introduced herself, told C that he had filled in a questionnaire at the train station a year ago, and asked him how his studies were progressing. She engaged in small talk while asking him about his search for a job, and then asked if he was interested in visiting an English conversation school that would help him with his job hunt. C was interested in studying English and arranged for a meeting at the school. C went to the school and was taken to a room. There, W informed him that "companies demand assertiveness, responsibility, and go-getters," and "English will help your search for a job. You need it in today's society." W made C anxious by telling him he wouldn't make it in society without being able to speak English or that he would earn less if he could not speak English. Since W didn't tell C about the English conversation school, C made an appointment to meet the next day.

C went to Fortress Japan the next day and after W reminded him again of the importance of English, told him that while all lessons have to be reserved, he could make a reservation without any restrictions at any time and that he was free to choose the day of the lesson. C liked the idea of being able to take lessons whenever he wanted but when he asked about the price, W told him it was 500,000 yen for 10 months, or monthly payments of 24,000 yen by consumer credit loan, and that this was considerably cheaper than other English conversation schools. C replied that a 500,000 loan was out of the question. W ignored C's rejection, telling him it wouldn't be a problem since he had a part-time job. Despite his job, he was a student with an unstable income. C said no and expressed his desire to go home and think it over. W refused to let him go, saying things like he would "regret it if he didn't decide now," or that she needed a decision right now or "You're a failure as a working adult." Wanting to leave as quickly as he could, C signed a contract, believing he had no other choice.

When C tried to book a lesson, he found he was unable to since the class schedule for the next half month was released two weeks in advance. The school was flooded with reservations. Moreover, C's university and part-time job schedules were set a month in advance, and when he tried to make a reservation that fit his schedule, he would only be able to fit in lessons once or twice a week. C tried more than 20 times to book a lesson but could never get the dates he wanted. Ultimately, he was never able to take more than half of the lessons he intended as they were all booked.

CASE 4

In June 2009, Consumer D was stopped in front of the entrance of his university by V, who introduced herself as being from Trinity, an English conversation school and job hunting juku. She asked D if he would take 30 seconds and fill out a questionnaire. V told D that Trinity was holding a free job search seminar and that he should attend. D was worried about his job prospects and decided that it would be a good idea to attend.

Days later, D met V at the train station closest to Trinity, where V escorted him to a small booth on the 9th floor of the building that Trinity occupied. V used newspaper clippings to illustrate how bad the job market was while explaining to D for three hours how difficult it would be to find a job and that companies want people who can speak English and are good communicators. D understood the need for personal development but didn't hear anything about how much everything cost, so he asked about the price. V replied that she would talk about prices during the second meeting, but D didn't seem like a university student who would have problems with money, so he should come to the next meeting tomorrow. D decided that he would make up his mind after learning about the price and promised to attend the second meeting the next day.

When D showed up at the appointed time the next day, V introduced him to U, who would be giving the presentation that day. U informed D that while the English lessons were by reservation-only, he could take as many lessons as he wanted during the 8-month course. U then spoke about the price of the lessons, informing D that it cost 650,000 yen, or under 30,000 yen a month in 24 monthly consumer loan payments. D thought the course was expensive and clearly refused to sign a contract as he wanted time to think it over. U, looking disappointed, told him that talking to his parents was pointless since they'd be the ones footing the bill and that it was too bad that D couldn't make the decision himself. When D explained that he had no choice but to talk with his parents since he probably wouldn't be able to get more hours at his part-time job, U replied that he should take responsibility for signing the contract without his parents input. The back and forth continued for some time. Finally, D decided to work more hours at his job and said he would join the school.

CASE 5

In August 2009, Consumer E was passing through a train station during his search for a job when he was stopped by T, who asked him if he would fill out a questionnaire about his job hunt. T asked E if he was interested in studying English and whether he felt that it was important. E thought both were important and filled out the questionnaire, leaving his name and phone number on the form.

That evening, T called E using the information on the questionnaire and introduced herself as T from Hearts. She then asked E about university life and his search for a job, and asked if he was interested in attending a free job seminar. E had just started looking for a job and thought the seminar would be crowded with people but would be worth attending for the information. He agreed to attend.

Days later, E went to the train station where he first met T. S escorted him to a booth and told him that today was decision day. E replied with a vague, "I see" although his intention was to listen to the spiel and go home without joining Hearts.

S started her presentation by saying that with the Hearts program, E would have to work part-time and earn money on his own. When E replied that he didn't have a part-time job, didn't have time for a job, and didn't intend on getting one, S attacked him for not having a job as it would hurt his job prospects. She said things like, "Not being able to work and go to school at the same time gives a bad impression because society demands that you do various things at the same time," and " Businesses don't like to hire people dependent on their parents because they've had to deal with complaints about their child's employment environment." After some time, S asked E if he had any questions. E replied that Hearts had something to offer but wasn't sure if he wanted to study there. S asked why he was confused, to which E replied, "I have university, seminars, and my own job hunting to worry about so doing a part-time job and studying at Hearts is impossible." S told him that he could do both.

Since the discussion was going nowhere, E asked to see some information about prices. S showed him a chart that said that it would cost 20,000 yen a month, a price that even a university student could afford it while working part-time. E felt that 20,000 a month was doable but the chart that S showed him listed a lump sum price of 500,000 yen payable in monthly installments of 20,000 yen over three years. E pointed out that at 20,000 yen a month, the cost would be more than 600,000 yen. He didn't have the money or time for a part time job, let alone study at Hearts. S tried to persuade him by saying the money was an investment in himself which would yield huge returns and that it was important to work and do something for yourself while he was still young. Again, E declined, "It all sounds good but I have my doubts about some things and am not quite convinced." S asked why he was confused again, to which E replied, " I'm not interested. I'm surrounded by highly-motivated friends at university who are more interesting." S countered by saying that there were plenty of people like that at Hearts and that relying on those close by wasn't a good thing. It was better for him to create his own environment. E thought the discussion was never going to end, so he made himself clear, "I'm really not interested right now."

S, however, pressed on saying, "You think like an old man," "All you think about is risk, not the challenge. You're young but indecisive. If you fail, it's better to do so while in university. It's better to do something and regret it than regret not doing something," and "You can take the lessons when your schedule allows it and you can take as many as you want at no extra charge." E was firm, "The risk is considerable if I fail given the large amount of money involved and other things may take a backseat if I start studying at Hearts. There are other ways than Hearts to grow personally, so I can't make a decision right now." S was persistent in maintaining that joining Hearts was the only way to succeed despite E's many protests, "You're being evasive. You're saying that activities beyond money, your schedule, and Hearts are more important so you can avoid having to make a decision." E kept refusing for over three hours but S wouldn't take no for an answer, so E decided to sign the contract.

It was only when E went to take an English level check that he learned the truth: He had to book lessons, but there was only about one class a week for a given curriculum, he could only make one reservation at a time, and he had to go to the school in person to book a lesson for the same day.

An update on former Nova president, Nozomu Sahashi's, appeal. You may recall that he was sentenced to three and half years for embezzlement last August. He quickly appealed his sentence, maintaining that he was innocent.

Kyodo News, via the Nikkei keizai shimbun reported last week that Sahashi maintained his innocence again at his appeal, saying that he took money from the employee's fund to help the company, not to line his pockets. The prosecutors, of course, are trying to have the appeal dismissed.

That's all the article says. Don't know where the appeal goes from here. I take it that for now, Sahashi avoids going to jail.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that the charge of aggravated breach of trust leveled by the Nova administrators against former Nova president, Nozomu Sahashi, has been dismissed.

According to the report, the Osaka District Public Prosecutors dropped the case due to insufficient evidence. Although Sahashi admitted to using the telecommunication company (Ginganet) he owned to sell massive quantities of unwanted videophones to Nova, Public Prosecutors deemed that there was no intent to cause harm as Sahashi never pocketed any of the money from the sale of the videophones.

Sahashi is still appealing his embezzlement conviction.

Yomiuri Shimbun

特別背任容疑で告発のＮＯＶＡ元社長、不起訴

英会話学校「ＮＯＶＡ」（大阪市、破産手続き中）に約２１億円の損害を与えたとして、破産管財人から特別背任容疑で告発された同社元社長・猿橋(さはし)望被告（５８）（業務上横領罪で有罪判決を受け、控訴中）について、大阪地検特捜部は不起訴（嫌疑不十分）とした。３月３１日付。

猿橋被告は、自ら実質経営する通信事業会社から、不要なテレビ電話機を、ＮＯＶＡに大量に仕入れさせて損害を与えたなどとして告発されたが、特捜部は猿橋被告に資金が渡っておらず、損害を与える目的もなかったと判断した。

（2010年4月1日11時15分 読売新聞）

Police in Japan are remarkably reactive and don't spend much time or energy working on crime prevention. Besides stopping the occasional cyclist and verifying ownership of said bicycle, offering directions or taking a spin on their scooters, they remain very low-key, but they are a constant presence. The officers are largely relegated to their small community police boxes that are centrally located close to train stations all over the country. The policing approach has been one that is based on police officers maintaining a visible presence. “Patrols are the most important duty for community police officers in that the visible presence of police officers in their uniforms prevents crimes and gives community residents sense of security.” (1)

This type of policing is often a proactive approach, but the general disregard for blatant warning signs and growing unease has led to citizens in Japan, calling for an increased effort to stamp out the causes of crime.

The National Police Agency announced this week that they are enacting a set of regulations based on prevention of crime. The service is committing itself to the documentation of all tips, inquires and consultations. The move comes on the heals of public complaints over the way police officers handle tips from citizens. According to reports, the police had failed to follow-up on tips offered before crimes were committed.

“At present, some police officers do not leave documented records when people come in to report potential crimes, saying the reported incident didn't yet constitute a crime or that the matter was outside their jurisdiction.” (2)

This documentation initiative is a welcome step in community safety, and can only help one of the world's safest nations. If the strategy is adhered to and implemented effectively then the result will likely slightly lower an already low crime rate. It is a step in the right direction and should be followed with more moves towards an increased focus on crime prevention and a pro-active focus.

In many regards, the institution of policing in Japan is not focused on the study of criminology and addressing the underlying issues of crime. The nation is still under the guise of the evil foreigner committing all the crimes.

This is largely apparent in recent reporting on the hit-and-run case in Nagoya, involving suspects carrying Brazilian citizenship when headlines such as “3rd Brazilian arrested over fatal hit-and-run in Nagoya” and “Brazilian arrested over deadly hit-and-run in Nagoya,” (3) were splashed everywhere in the Japanese media. The fact that the suspects were Brazilian had little to do with the story, but soon became the central issue. Only the latest example, where crime perpetrated by foreign residents in Japan is held out as the norm and throughly reported by the Japanese media.

Until Japanese society can begin to wrap its collective head around the fact that Japanese citizens commit the majority of crimes and that foreign citizens commit, per capita less crime than the domestic population, there is no sense in studying crime prevention techniques. Occasionally a foreign citizen will be apprehended and convicted of a crime, allowing the domestic population to breathe easy; “Oh another foreigner convicted, the crime rate is rising due to their transgressions.”

Under the new system all interactions with officers will be documented, no matter how minor, and they will be passed on to the relevant section so that it can be handled in an appropriate manner. Police chiefs will be in charge of enforcing the new measure, and if Japanese bureaucratic systems are any example, the new regulations will be religiously followed in every regard. The fact that the National Police Agency is at least paying lip-service to the issue and making small steps in the right direction is to be commended.

(1) http://www.npa.go.jp/english/seisaku1/JapaneseCommunityPolice.pdf
(2) http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20100219a2.html
(3) http://www.newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/79472.php
(4) http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/honkawa/2788d.html

It took the Consumer Affairs Agency long enough. From the Yomiuri Shimbun:

The Consumer Affairs Agency and the Tokyo metropolitan government on Thursday ordered a Tokyo-based English-language conversation school chain operator to suspend operations due to its coercive method of selling its services to university students and others.

Fortress Japan talked customers into signing contracts for the purchase of English-learning programs, often telling students, "You'll never be able to find work with your current English-language abilities."

The authorities issued the order based on the Specified Commercial Transactions Law.

A consumer organization certified by the prime minister filed a lawsuit last year arguing that Fortress Japan's way of soliciting customers was against the law. Last March, the plaintiff and the company reached the first settlement of its kind in the nation.

There are seven consumer organizations across the nation certified by the prime minister to file lawsuits against companies over aggressive sales schemes. The certifications were introduced to discourage dubious or illegal sales schemes before damages proliferate.

But the authorities said Fortress Japan continued to use unlawful sales practices after the settlement, leading to the stricter punishment by the agency.

According to the news brief released by the Consumer Affairs Agency [PDF], Fortress Japan has been ordered to cease operations for 6 months from February 19 until August 18. During that time, they are not allowed to solicit new contracts, accept applications for lessons, or conclude any contracts.

I previously wrote about Fortress Japan breaking its promise not to be evil, but they just couldn't help themselves. The article offers this example:

Last April, a man in the Kansai region who was then a third-year university student was approached by a female employee of Fortress Japan in front of his university campus. She asked him to fill out a simple survey about English conversation and job-hunting activities.

He wrote his name and phone number on the sheet, and was frequently called about attending an introduction meeting.

He finally agreed to attend a meeting, but ended up being confined in a small room together with a male employee of the company for three hours and was cajoled into signing a contract for lessons.

When the student tried to refuse, the employee looked down at him and demanded he sign the contract, telling him, "You'll never survive in the business world with such a carefree attitude."

Unbelievable. While it's good that the Consumer Affairs Agency put an end to Fortress Japan, consumers need to wise up and grow a backbone.

Remember Fortress Japan? Back in 2008, they were caught stealing a page or two out of Nova's playbook with some underhanded sales tactics. The Kansai Consumer's Support Organization (KCSO) sued, and in 2009, Fortress Japan promised to change its ways and behave.

According to the Sankei shimbun, the KSCO has asked the court in December to force Fortress Japan to pay 1.5 million yen in penalties, claiming that the English school operator broke its promise not engage in unfair sales practices.

The KSCO says that despite Fortress Japan's promise, they still told potential students that they could take lessons any time and pressured them into signing contracts. The consumer group confirmed the practices with three individuals last November and demanded that each person be paid 500 thousand yen each in compensation. Fortress Japan, however, has asked for a reprieve and has not paid the money.

Comment: What else can be said? Fortress Japan is but one example of the persistent rot in eikaiwa. Both the Mainichi and Sankei reported in November last year that complaints about the way eikaiwas (self-improvement seminars, certification courses, and computer schools were also mentioned) did business were rising. Specifically, the Sankei article reports that a typical tactic is to call a customer, usually university students, and tell them they have some useful information regarding their job hunt. Once at the school, the customer is given a guilt trip (you'll never find a job without taking English lessons) and then made to sign a contract.

The rip-off continues...

Sankei article

就活生へ不当勧誘、英会話学校に違約金求め提訴　消費者ＮＰＯ

2009.12.25 11:05

就職活動中の大学生を対象に大阪や東京などで英会話や就職支援の教室を運営する「フォートレスジャパン」（東京）が、不当な勧誘をしないとした裁判上の和解条項を守っていないとして、ＮＰＯ法人「消費者支援機構関西」は２５日、同社に対する違約金１５０万円の強制執行を求める訴訟を大阪地裁に起こした。

訴状などによると、消費者支援機構関西とフォートレス社は今年３月、不当勧誘差し止め請求訴訟で和解。同社は不当勧誘の停止に合意したが、その後も「いつでも受講できる」と虚偽内容を伝えたり、威圧的に契約を迫ったりする不当な勧誘を続けた。

機構側は１１月末、３人に対する不当勧誘が確認できたとして、和解条項に基づき１人５０万円の違約金を請求したが、フォートレス社は猶予を求めるなどして支払わなかったという。

TV news is reporting that Ichihashi has been caught in Osaka. According to the Asahi shimbun, Ichihashi was taken into custody by the Osaka Police after being spotted while trying to board a ferry in Suminoe-ku.

Asahi article

千葉県市川市で０７年３月、英会話講師の英国人女性リンゼイ・アン・ホーカーさん（当時２２）の遺体が見つかった事件で、市橋達也容疑者（３０）＝死体遺棄容疑で指名手配＝と見られる男の身柄が大阪市内で確保された。

大阪府警によると、発見場所は同市住之江区にある南港のフェリー乗り場付近。通行人から「似た男がいる」と通報があったという。同署員が駆けつけ、職務質問したところ市橋容疑者であることを認めたため、身柄を確保したという。住之江署で指紋の照合作業をしている。

千葉県警などのこれまでの調べによると、市橋容疑者は１０月１３日に福岡市内の病院を訪れ、鼻の整形手術を希望したが、予約がなかったことから断られた。同２４日に名古屋市の病院で、数十万円を払って鼻を高くする整形手術を受けた。この際、大阪府内の住所と偽名を記していた。市橋容疑者は、先月まで約１年間、同府茨木市内の建設会社の寮に住み込み、土木作業員として働いていたこともわかっている。

　１０月中旬には福岡市内のインターネットカフェに市橋容疑者とみられる男が訪れていたことが判明しているが、捜査関係者によると、この際、「井上康介」とは別の偽名を名乗っていたという。

Update: The Mainichi Daily News

He was trying to board a ferry bound for Okinawa on Monday, broadcaster TBS said in its evening news program.

In a telephone interview with the broadcaster, Hawker's father Bill Hawker said he was surprised at the news of Ichihashi's apparent apprehension.

"My nightmare is finally over," Hawker said in the interview soon after the news broke.

"I'm now going to contact my wife and my two daughters to tell them this good news, and I very much look forward to seeing Ichihashi across a courtroom so I can look him in the face," Hawker said.

Update 2: YouTube

The man is determined not to be found:

Police on Thursday released a new photo of Tatsuya Ichihashi, the suspect in the slaying of a British woman in 2007, that was taken last month at a Nagoya clinic before he underwent cosmetic surgery there but after he apparently had had at least one face-lift elsewhere.

Several facial features have apparently changed — he now has double-fold eyelids, a higher nose and thin lips. Two moles that had been on his left cheek have disappeared as well, according to police.

Ichihashi, 30, is wanted in connection with the murder of Lindsay Ann Hawker, 22, an English teacher.

In another development Thursday, investigative sources said Ichihashi had attempted to undergo cosmetic surgery in Fukuoka Prefecture in mid-October before his Oct. 24 face-lift in Nagoya.

It's been two and a half years since he escaped 9 police officers on foot with no wallet, no mobile phone, and no shoes. How does a person with no money and only the clothes on his back to make it to Nagoya and Fukuoka? He's either being helped (by his parents? I seem to recall them cooperating with police but they have been invisible during the investigation) or has manged to scrape some money together by working the odd job.

It doesn't say much about the effort by the police. Two years after Lindsey Hawker's death, the best the Chiba Police could do is create five measly cardboard models of Ichihashi that play a recording of Ichihashi's voice. Bill Hawker was not amused. While this video doesn't show it, he was upset over the fact that only five of the models existed and knocked one of them over in disgust.

For what it's worth, if you have information, contact the Chiba Prefectural Police at 047-397-0110 or email to gyoutoku@police.pref.chiba.jp. You can also send information here.

Why Ichihashi would resort to cosmetic surgery to avoid capture becomes clearer given the nature of his crime. It has been widely reported that Lindsay's body was found in a bathtub of sand, but an article in The Times last year suggests that's not accurate. He wasn't trying to conceal her body, he was trying to dispose of it.

Again, it was widely reported that she was found in a bath full of sand but this too was wrong. Lindsay had actually been buried in a mixture of sand and compost soil which Ichihashi had soaked in a chemical the Japanese use to compact and decompose waste. The police believe he had simply taken a practical approach to disposing of Lindsay’s body. It would be hard to take her out and hide her so he would keep her there until eventually all trace of her was gone. He had cut her hair off and left it in a bag found in the apartment. Hair is evidently slow to rot.

They can't catch this guy fast enough.

A quick blurb in the newspaper, the Mainichi reports that the three men arrested on suspicion of confining Sahashi in his hotel room have been released.

Apparently the police don't have much of a case on them. At any rate, the thugs caught with Sahashi are probably thinking, "Mission accomplished." They delivered their message.

Mainichi article

ＮＯＶＡ元社長事件：監禁容疑で逮捕の３人釈放　東京地検　

東京地検は１９日、経営破綻（はたん）した英会話学校最大手「ＮＯＶＡ」（破産手続き中）元社長、猿橋望被告（５８）＝業務上横領罪で実刑判決、控訴中＝の監禁容疑で逮捕された指定暴力団山口組系組員（３８）ら３人を、処分保留で釈放した。

警視庁は、９月２８日に東京都中央区のホテル一室で猿橋被告を監禁したとして３人を逮捕した。捜査関係者によると、組員らは警視庁の調べに「一緒にいただけ」などと容疑を否認。猿橋被告もホテル内から外部に電話で連絡を取っていたといい、地検はホテルでのやりとりについて捜査を継続する。

毎日新聞　2009年10月19日　20時42分

According to the Yomiuri shimbun, Nozomu Sahsahi, NOVA's disgraced and convicted ex-president, was confined in his hotel room for three days by gangsters. The police have arrested two men, one who is a member of the Yamaguchi-gumi syndicate, in connection with the incident.

Sahashi had apparently traveled to Tokyo, and when his lawyer became unable to contact him over the weekend, he went to the police. The police found Sahashi yesterday afternoon in his hotel room in Nihonbashi where they arrested two men whom they allege held Sahsahi for roughly 3 and a half hours. The men claim that they were merely with Sahashi (and that they didn't hold him against his will).

Many will be disappointed to learn that Sahashi was not injured. The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Assuming it wasn't a social call, one possible reason for the "visit" may have to do with Sahashi's mysterious stock dealings as NOVA crashed and burned around him. Desperate to come up with some cash, he put his shares in NOVA up as collateral only to be swindled out of five million of them. One name that came up in the course of the dealings was Nishida Haruo, who appears to have made a career out of stock manipulation. Perhaps Sahashi owes some bad people some money. Then again, he is arrogant enough that you could not completely rule out him demanding his shares back, either.

Yomiuri article

ＮＯＶＡ元社長を監禁容疑、組員ら逮捕

経営破綻(はたん)した英会話学校「ＮＯＶＡ」（破産手続き中）の元社長で、業務上横領罪に問われた猿橋望被告（５８）（控訴中）を東京都内のホテルに監禁したとして、山口組系暴力団員の男（３８）ら２人が、監禁の疑いで警視庁三田署に現行犯逮捕されていたことがわかった。

同署幹部によると、２人は２８日午前１１時３０分頃から午後３時頃まで、中央区日本橋蛎殻町内のホテルの一室に猿橋被告を監禁した疑い。猿橋被告にけがはなかった。

猿橋被告の弁護士が、猿橋被告と２５日頃から会えなくなったとして同署に相談していた。捜査員が２８日午後３時頃、同ホテルで猿橋被告を保護し、２人を取り押さえた。２人は「一緒にいただけ」と容疑を否認している。同署はほかに共犯者がいるとみている。

猿橋被告は、ＮＯＶＡグループの社員積立金を流用したとして、２００８年６月に業務上横領容疑で大阪府警に逮捕され、先月、大阪地裁が懲役３年６月の実刑判決を言い渡していた。

(h/t to Are they the lemmings)