usually i try not to write about my cynicism about japan. i don't think it does a lot of good to bitch about it all of the time. for the most part i enjoy my life here and am happy. but sometimes i feel as though the justice system seriously fails. well, this news gives me a little hope. such a sad story when it happened, and i really reacted to it because it was only a week or so before sasha was born. such a slap on the wrist--and on the face to the victims--punishment from the district court (though i readily admit that i have no wish to spend one day--let alone seven years--in a japanese prison) and although those poor children will not come back, the man who caused their death has a heavy fine to pay.