Home > News > 15 Killed in Osaka Adult Video Theater Fire • Bookmark   • Register
Search Options
Join XBIZ.net

NEWS STORY

15 Killed in Osaka Adult Video Theater Fire

XBIZ POLL
Which is the biggest threat to adult entertainment sales?
The Economy
Piracy
Free Porn
Competition
Regulation
 
Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008    Text size: 
OSAKA, Japan — A man set fire to a Osaka adult video center Wednesday, killing at least 15 people in what police said was a suicide attempt.

The Cats Adult Video Theater, located on the ground floor of a seven-story building in an entertainment district in Osaka, had 32 viewing cubicles each equipped with a cot, a television and a DVD player. The video center offered mostly adult movies, but also cartoons and Hollywood films. Its clientele included businessmen who used the rooms as a cheap alternative to hotels after missing the last train home and young people whose low-paying jobs cannot pay for standard housing.

When the blaze broke out at about 3 a.m., most of the cubicles were occupied.

The suspect, who was one of the customers, was arrested on suspicion of arson and attempted murder, Osaka police spokesman Kengo Hirami said. The suspect admitted to police that he set a fire using a stash of newspapers in his bag, according to Harami. Police quoted the suspect as saying he did it because "I was tired of living," public broadcaster NHK reported.

Officials have not determined the identities of the 15 dead. Several of the injured, nine men and one woman, were hospitalized in serious condition.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has instructed fire department officials to conduct an emergency nationwide inspection of video shops, Internet cafes, karaoke bars and other entertainment facilities with individual cubicles.

   
Follow XBIZ on Twitter
Share this article:
del.icio.us technorati fark
More ways to get XBIZ News:  RSS Feeds  |  E-Newsletters  |  Desktop Widget  |  Mobile
Looking for porn star news and behind-the-scene videos? Check out XFANZ.com !

PROFILES & BIOS

Tool Tips: TrueCrypt

For many computer users, the problem of securing data from unauthorized viewers is a common worry. From banking information to corporate secrets and beyond, the need to prevent privacy breaches isn't just... More »

Dave Levine: He's not just 'That Guy'

When Dave Levine started his company 15 years ago, he just wanted to make money online. He sold everything from books to T-shirts — and even made a brief foray in fine-art sales — but then dove head-first... More »

MaxPayments: Maximum Service and Innovation

MaxPayments has been providing domestic and offshore merchant accounts to adult merchants since 2005, but it still may be the best-kept secret in high-risk merchant billing. A boutique agency run by a... More »
XBIZ NEWSLETTERS
Stay informed of the latest industry developments. Get XBIZ newsletters delivered to your inbox. Subscribe today!
Enter email address:

* To manage existing subscriptions click here.







POPULAR PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Submit your press release to
multiple news outlets with 1 click.
Subscribe to RSS news feeds or
add free content to your website.
Access XBIZ news and articles
with your mobile device.
XBIZ Research
XBIZ Premiere™, the industry's premier retail focused business journal, features in-depth and comprehensive business news and information targeted for producers of adult videos, novelty product manufacturers, and retailers - subscribe today!

UPCOMING EVENTS

AWM Open

Jul 06 - Jul 08
Cypres

ANME Founders Show

Jul 10 - Jul 12
Woodland Hills, California

Internext Summer '09

Aug 07 - Aug 09
Hollywood, Florida

2008 Gentlemen's Club Owners Expo

Aug 23 - Aug 26
Las Vegas, Nevada
Everyday thousands of business professionals browse XBIZ's industry directory for quality products and services. Not listed yet? Your company could be losing potential new business. Submit your company today!
Use XBIZ RSS feeds to stay informed of the latest industry developments or as a content syndication tool for your website!