2chan founder Hiroyuki Nishimura

2chan founder Hiroyuki Nishimura

Here’s an interesting interview with Hiroyuki Nishimura, the Founder of Japan’s largest online discussion forum 2channel. In it, Nishimura talks about his website’s responsibility in the Akihabara stabbing rampage, the distribution of controversial material online, filtering, and online anonymity.

Hiroyuki Nishimura: ‘Is there any evidence that the Internet has led to an increase in crimes? I’ve never seen any such evidence. The Internet is just a tool and all tools have side effects. Look at cars. Do you blame car makers when accidents are caused by speeding? I have my own logic to justify what I’m doing. People can submit information freely on the Internet. Anti-Internet people are just afraid of the unknown potential of the Internet which has a short history.