Kazunori Yokoi Arrested in Kyoto Over Ten Years of Loud Noise Complaints
Police in Kyoto’s Nishikyo district arrested 61‑year‑old Kazunori Yokoi on 23 July 2026, charging him with bodily injury after a decade of playing loud electric guitar and blasting radio music that disturbed his neighbours. The continuous noise, measured at 80‑90 dB, was reported to have caused sleep deprivation, depression and tinnitus in three elderly residents and a fourth woman. Authorities seized 76 items from his apartment, including more than 40 guitars, amplifiers and other audio equipment. Yokoi admitted to producing the noise but denied that it caused any injuries, and will face court proceedings.
Entities: Kazunori Yokoi · Kyoto · Kyoto Police · Nishikyo · Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto · elderly neighbours
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Four neighbors reported health problems—including sleep deprivation, depression, and tinnitus—linked to the noise. (all)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police in Nishikyo, Kyoto arrested Kazunori Yokoi on 23 July on suspicion of bodily injury. (all)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Noise levels were measured at over 80 decibels. (all)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police classified the conduct as bodily injury under Japanese law. (all)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kazunori Yokoi denied the bodily injury charge. (all)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police seized more than 40 guitars and audio equipment from Yokoi’s residence. (all)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Yokoi had been playing guitars loudly and broadcasting radio since 2019 despite warnings. (all)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Four neighbours documented the health impacts, providing the legal basis for the arrest. (all)