Kazunori Yokoi Arrested in Kyoto After Decade of Loud Rock Noise

Kazunori Yokoi Kyoto noise complaints electric guitar arrest

Kazunori Yokoi, a 61‑year‑old resident of Kyoto’s Nishikyo district, was arrested after a ten‑year saga of noise complaints. Neighbours reported that he blasted a radio and an electric guitar at volumes measured between 80 and 90 decibels, playing hard‑rock music 24 hours a day. Several elderly residents developed health problems, including depression, sleep disturbances and one case of tinnitus. Police warned Yokoi repeatedly, but the disturbances continued. When he was finally taken into custody, officers seized 76 items of audio equipment, including guitars and amplifiers. Yokoi admitted to producing the noise but denied that it caused any injuries. The case will now proceed through the courts.

A neighbour quoted the police report: “The music was hard rock… playing 24 hours a day.” The incident highlights how prolonged noise pollution can lead to legal action under bodily‑injury statutes.

Entities

Japanese police · Kazunori Yokoi · Kyoto · Kyoto Police · Nishikyo · Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto · Nishikyo district · elderly neighbours

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Four neighbors reported health problems—including sleep deprivation, depression, and tinnitus—linked to the noise. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Police in Nishikyo, Kyoto arrested Kazunori Yokoi on 23 July on suspicion of bodily injury. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Noise levels were measured at over 80 decibels. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Police classified the conduct as bodily injury under Japanese law. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Kazunori Yokoi denied the bodily injury charge. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Police seized more than 40 guitars and audio equipment from Yokoi’s residence. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Yokoi had been playing guitars loudly and broadcasting radio since 2019 despite warnings. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Four neighbours documented the health impacts, providing the legal basis for the arrest. www.merkur.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de