Japanese police arrested a 61-year-old man in Kyoto city after accusations that he played loud radio and electric guitar continuously day and night for over seven years, causing several neighbors to suffer from insomnia, depression, and tinnitus. Despite multiple police warnings, his behavior did not change before authorities conducted a search and seized dozens of electric guitars along with sound amplification equipment.
Officers from Kyoto Prefectural Police Station arrested Kazunari Yokoi, a 61-year-old unemployed man residing in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto city, on 23 July. He faces assault charges after causing prolonged loud noise disturbances for several years, leading to physical and mental health problems among community residents.
Reports stated that Yokoi left a transistor radio playing by an open window, emitting loud noise onto the street 24 hours a day without turning it off, even when he was not at home. Additionally, from early morning until evening, he practiced heavy hard rock electric guitar playing through an amplifier.
Police measurements found noise levels reaching between 80 and 90 decibels, comparable to the sound inside a moving subway train.
This disturbance has persisted continuously since January 2017. Although police received numerous complaints and repeatedly warned Yokoi, he would only temporarily lower the volume before resuming the loud noise. The severity of the disturbance escalated, seriously impacting the health of at least four elderly neighbors aged between 60 and 80.
Among the affected neighbors, an 80-year-old community member and a 67-year-old man were diagnosed with depression and insomnia by doctors. A 76-year-old elderly person suffered from sleep disorders, while another female neighbor began experiencing tinnitus or sudden hearing loss starting in April last year. One neighbor in their 60s described it as "very distressing because of the constant chaotic noise day and night."
Due to Yokoi's stubborn behavior and the clear health impact on residents, police eventually searched his residence and that of his estranged wife. They seized a total of 76 items, including 49 electric guitars (47 from Yokoi's home and 2 from his wife's), 19 amplifiers, 5 radio cassette players, 1 mandolin, 1 speaker, and 1 CD player.
During initial questioning, Yokoi admitted to playing the radio and guitar loudly but denied assault charges, telling police, "The claim that my noise made others ill is not true." Authorities plan to proceed firmly with legal action.