Neomugicha incident
Encyclopedia
The is the name given to the 2000 hijacking of a Japan
ese bus by a user of internet forum
2channel
after placing a warning on the website.
An hour after posting a cryptic threat in a thread with the name "Neomugicha" ("Neo-Barley Tea"; ネオむぎ茶), the 17-year-old youth hijacked a bus "the Wakakusu" (Nishi-Nippon Railroad
Co., Ltd.) in Dazaifu
, Fukuoka
, Japan, stabbing one passenger to death. The Special Assault Team
then stormed the hijacked bus and captured the youth alive.
The incident came as a shock to both 2channers, who had mocked Neomugicha as a liar, thinking he was posting about an attack that had already occurred, and to the general public.
Later, a poster named "Neouuroncha" ("Neo-Oolong tea
") attempted to imitate Neomugicha by plotting to blow up the Odakyu Electric Railway
in Japan and posting warnings about it on 2channel. After the Neomugicha incident, however, the Japanese police were keeping a close eye on 2ch, so he was identified and arrested before his plan could be carried out.
A poster called "Neomugishu" ("Neo-Barley Wine") also attempted to imitate the incident, planning a terrorist attack on a railway company, but he was also arrested.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese bus by a user of internet forum
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
2channel
2channel
is a Japanese textboard. In 2007 there were 2.5 million posts made every day. Launched in 1999, it has gained significant influence in Japanese society, comparable to that of traditional mass media such as television, radio, and magazines. As of 2008, the site generates revenue upwards of ¥100...
after placing a warning on the website.
An hour after posting a cryptic threat in a thread with the name "Neomugicha" ("Neo-Barley Tea"; ネオむぎ茶), the 17-year-old youth hijacked a bus "the Wakakusu" (Nishi-Nippon Railroad
Nishi-Nippon Railroad
The , also called or NNR, is one of Japan's "Big 16" private railroad companies. With headquarters in Fukuoka, it operates local and highway buses, supermarkets, real-estate and travel agencies, as well as railways in Fukuoka Prefecture. In addition, from 1950 to 1972, the company owned the Lions...
Co., Ltd.) in Dazaifu
Dazaifu, Fukuoka
is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Nearby cities include Ōnojō and Chikushino. Although mostly urban, it does have arable land used for paddy fields and market gardening....
, Fukuoka
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
, Japan, stabbing one passenger to death. The Special Assault Team
Special Assault Team
The is a paramilitary counter terrorism unit under the Japanese National Police Agency. The SAT is mandated, along with the Anti-Firearms Squad and the Counter-NBC Terrorism Squad, for counterterrorism missions and incidents involving firearms or criminals which require an armed response beyond...
then stormed the hijacked bus and captured the youth alive.
The incident came as a shock to both 2channers, who had mocked Neomugicha as a liar, thinking he was posting about an attack that had already occurred, and to the general public.
Later, a poster named "Neouuroncha" ("Neo-Oolong tea
Oolong
Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea produced through a unique process including withering under the strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting. Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties...
") attempted to imitate Neomugicha by plotting to blow up the Odakyu Electric Railway
Odakyu Electric Railway
, or OER, is a major railway company based in Tokyo, Japan best known for its Romancecar series of limited express trains from Tokyo to Odawara, Enoshima, Tama New Town, and Hakone....
in Japan and posting warnings about it on 2channel. After the Neomugicha incident, however, the Japanese police were keeping a close eye on 2ch, so he was identified and arrested before his plan could be carried out.
A poster called "Neomugishu" ("Neo-Barley Wine") also attempted to imitate the incident, planning a terrorist attack on a railway company, but he was also arrested.
See also
- Seito Sakakibara
- Akihabara massacreAkihabara massacreThe was an incident of mass murder that took place on Sunday, June 8, 2008, in the Akihabara shopping quarter for electronics, video games and comics in Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.At 12:33 p.m...
External links
- Neomugicha's thread (warning: over 500KB)