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Kazutaka Komori

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Kazutaka Komori (小森 一孝, Komori Kazutaka, May 25, 1943 – November 1971[citation needed]) was a Japanese right-wing ultranationalist youth who attempted to assassinate Japanese journalist and magazine publisher Hōji Shimanaka in February 1961, in what became known as the Shimanaka Incident.[1] Komori sought retribution for a fictional story published in one of Shimanaka's magazines which featured a dream sequence in which the Emperor and Empress were beheaded by a guillotine.[2] Shimanaka was away from home at the time of Komori's assault, and he ended up stabbing Shimanaka's wife and murdering his housemaid.[3] Komori was 17 years old at the time of his attack.[3]

Early life

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Komori was born in Nagazaki, Japan, on May 25, 1943.[4] His mother, Tatsu, committed suicide when he was a young boy.[4] His neighbors later described him as having been a "moody" child, and in high school he was once admitted to a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown.[4] After graduating from high school, he drifted around the country taking on various odd jobs.[4] On January 3, 1961, he joined prominent ultra-rightist Bin Akao's Greater Japan Patriotic Party, and withdrew from the party just hours before his attack on Shimanaka's household.[4][3]

Attack

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Main article: Shimanaka Incident

On February 1, 1961, at the age of 17, Komori went to the home of prominent Tokyo publisher Hōji Shimanaka with the intent to kill him in retribution for a fiction story by Shichirō Fukazawa printed in Shimanaka's magazine Chūō Kōron that described the overthrow and murder of the Japanese Imperial family.[1] The story, which satirized the recent Anpo protests, depicted a dream sequence in which the reigning emperor and empress were beheaded, along with the crown prince and princess.[5] Shimanaka was not at home but Komori murdered his 51-year-old maid and critically injured the publisher's wife.[3] Komori initially fled the scene, but later turned himself in to police.[3]

Aftermath

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Komori was tried as an adult and sentenced to 15 years in prison.[6][7] This murder and the assassination of Inejiro Asanuma by Otoya Yamaguchi led to the arrest of Bin Akao in 1961.[8] Komori died in prison in 1971.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kapur, Nick (2018). Japan at the Crossroads: Conflict and Compromise after Anpo. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. pp. 255–257. ISBN 978-0674984424.
  2. ^ Kapur, Nick (2018). Japan at the Crossroads: Conflict and Compromise after Anpo. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 256. ISBN 978-0674984424.
  3. ^ a b c d e Kapur, Nick (2018). Japan at the Crossroads: Conflict and Compromise after Anpo. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 257. ISBN 978-0674984424.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Fanatical Rightist Youth Confesses Brutal Stabbings". The Japan Times. Tokyo. February 3, 1961. p. 4.
  5. ^ Kapur, Nick (2018). Japan at the Crossroads: Conflict and Compromise after Anpo. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 256. ISBN 978-0674984424.
  6. ^ United Press International (March 22, 1961). "Will Try Slayer as Adult". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  7. ^ Associated Press (February 26, 1962). "Story in Magazine Touches Off Tragedy". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  8. ^ United Press International, February 21, 1961. "Rightist's Arrest Sparks Demonstration Threats". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 21 August 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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