
On 29 June, Nagano police were inundated with demands for an investigation after live footage broadcast over Japan’s Niconico Video showed a caged cat being left to drown in a river.
Warning: some readers may find the content of this report upsetting.
It’s reported that the suspect, one Fuyuki Hattori, admitted to charges of violating animal law, saying: “I only wanted to show how to exterminate these pests. I regret my rash action.”
By the way, according to police, this “rash action” was to set-up a trap outside his home prior to the morning of the 29th in which he captured a cat. He then rashly waited until the evening of that day to drive to the river. Finally, he rashly drove along the looking for a good spot to drown the defenseless animal because “it was too shallow everywhere.”
Once he had found a suitable location, he placed the cat into the water and begun videoing it on his smartphone, on which he had rashly set up a live feed through Niconico video ahead of time.
It was also suggested that the suspect’s rural background may have played a part in how he treated cats. That seems like utter BS, though, as any farm boy would know how to kill an animal as quickly and painlessly as possible rather than spend an entire day trying to slowly drown it.
Taking a moment to move away from how sick this guy allegedly is, let’s also celebrate his monumental alleged stupidity. What could the thought process have been to imagine that broadcasting the torture and murder of what is clearly the internet’s most beloved animal was not the worst idea?
Sadly, even if Hattori is found guilty, the punishment for this violation probably won’t be as strict as some would like. However, with the enemies he probably just made online, this man’s inboxes should be full of penis enlargement ads for a long time to come.
Source: J-Cast News, Yahoo! Japan News, Naver Matome (Japanese)
Video: YouTube –Tomo News Japan

Korean man arrested for boiling 600 cats alive, selling the meat for use in soup
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar
Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon
Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video]
Sanrio collaborates with Sesame Street for adorable merch and sweets in Japan[Photos]
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]