Sri Wahyuni
Researcher, 40 (Indonesia)
If the book describes how he dodged the police for so long, then that could be a problem. But from a publisher's point of view it's a freedom of expression issue. And the police may discover evidence of what Ichihashi was up to in the book.
Jason Palatellio
Finance, 32 (American)
I guess what everyone wonders is whether or not Ichihashi will profit from the book. It's a question of ethics though, and while he may have the right to publish, he doesn't appear to have displayed any remorse over Hawker.
Akemi Matsushima
Part-timer, 21 (Japanese)
I think it's OK to publish because the proceeds from the book are going to be donated to the Hawker family or to some other good cause. (Editor's note: The Hawker family has refused to accept any proceeds from the book.)
Yumenosuke Kojima
Comedian, 26 (Japanese)
I think the book is fine. Ichihashi seems to have done his best to seek forgiveness, and the book only covers his life on the run — not the crime or his feelings about what happened. He's also a unique person, so the book has value.
Mel Burrus
Screenwriter, 43 (Jamaican)
It's up to Ichihashi if he wants to justify things from that angle. But modern media is a babbling instrument and an endless soundboard. Some in Japan may be astute enough to get something from the book, though.
Kayoko Otsuka
Office worker, 23 (Japanese)
I think that the book was released because there was a market of people to which it could be sold. But it's still bad. Even if there are people out there that want to read about Ichihashi's time on the run, the release is insensitive.
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