Japanese musician arrested for playing guitar loudly for seven years

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TOKYO: A Japanese man has been arrested after allegedly subjecting his elderly neighbours to seven years of relentless guitar playing and blaring radio noise, leaving several residents with serious health problems.

Police said the 61-year-old Kyoto resident repeatedly played dozens of guitars and loud music day and night since 2019 despite numerous official warnings. Authorities allege the prolonged disturbance caused three neighbours, aged in their 60s to 80s, to suffer insomnia, sleep deprivation and depression, while another developed persistent tinnitus.

Investigators later measured neighbourhood noise levels exceeding 80 decibels, comparable to being inside a moving train. After years of complaints, police said they finally had sufficient grounds to arrest the suspect on assault charges.

Officers also seized more than 40 guitars, amplifiers, CD players and radio cassette players from his home as part of the investigation.