A Japanese guitarist was arrested on July 23 in Kyoto after years of complaints from neighbors about excessive noise attributed to his playing and broadcasting of music. Kazunori Yokoi, 61, reportedly disturbed residents in a quiet residential neighborhood for more than seven years, according to local police.

Authorities said that three neighbors aged between their sixties and eighties experienced insomnia and depression due to the prolonged noise, while a fourth neighbor developed tinnitus, a condition characterized by persistent ringing in the ears often linked to exposure to loud sounds. Despite repeated police warnings starting in January 2017, the noise reportedly continued.

Neighbors filed formal complaints in June and July of this year, accusing Yokoi of playing electric guitar and radio broadcasts at high volume inside his home between June 2019 and July 2026. Police stated that Yokoi also placed a radio by an open window and left it running continuously throughout the day, in addition to playing electric guitar from early morning until evening.

During a search of Yokoi’s residence, police confiscated over 40 guitars, many of them electric, along with several CD and radio cassette players, and amplifiers. Noise measurements taken in the area reportedly reached levels exceeding 80 decibels—comparable to being inside a moving subway train.

One neighbor in his sixties described the situation as "awful," citing the constant mixture of sounds throughout the day. Another resident living within 50 meters of Yokoi’s home said the volume was "far beyond the scope of common sense," and said Yokoi ignored police warnings and responded by shouting at officers.

Yokoi has denied the allegations, according to reports. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities assess the impact of the noise disturbances on the community.