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日本語/Japanese  Wed 10/31 07:25 JST
Those who keep up with the latest news in Japan by reading the top Japan blog Japan Probe will already know that a bunch of gaijin (foreigners) "hijacked" a train as part of their "Halloween" festivities.

From the reports around the net, many seemed to be drunk, some striped naked and as you can see from these photos (more photos and videos here) many of the mob seemed to run a muck throwing toilet paper, climbing onto the luggage rack, screaming, vandalizing the train carriage (removing lights etc).

The thing is that when Gaijin are naughty, many Japanese tend to group us all in one batch - so we all are branded as naughty.

I guess this behavior is one of the reasons why landlords don't want to rent apartments to gaijin. How does a landlord distinguish potentially rowdy gaijin from a well behaved gaijn?

Now the argument could be that its Halloween and its not as if gaijin run a muck all the time. But when it does happen, the gaijin are breaking all the rules that make Japan a relatively peaceful country to live in.

While naughty folks do exist in Japan, the honesty, diligence and in general well behaved majority of the Japanese here make Japan a place that I feel safe and love to live in.

I would be saddened if more and more folks started to behave like this - it would be like what I grew up with when back in Hackney London - vandalism, theft and disorder. No Thanks.

More videos and photos at Itai News.
Categories
Polls
windbell in Singapore/シンガポール, Tokyo/東京
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
Registered on 2006/12/25 12:20
Damn those Gaijins. Making it bad for others :(

(Did they shout something like 'Nova! Nova' in the video? ^^;)
(ID #61602) Posted on 2007/10/31 09:32
Kar22 in Tokyo
Accountant
Registered on 2007/01/08 17:32
Send the bastards back to where they came from  - get out of Japan!
(ID #61603) Posted on 2007/10/31 09:34
Registered on 2007/02/10 10:32
They are probably nova teachers with no money and nowhere to go. Should be tied, gagged and thrown onto the tracks .
(ID #61604) Posted on 2007/10/31 09:51
samurai138 in Ohio, US
Registered on 2007/07/05 23:28
:( I hate being group with them. Me= good gaijin that isn't going to be an idiot when he goes to Japan. 
(ID #61605) Posted on 2007/10/31 09:55
みずほ銀行 in とうきょう
ぷろぐらまー
Registered on 2007/01/27 12:00
KONNA GAIJIN WA DETTEKE.
(ID #61607) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:02
Registered on 2007/10/16 17:39
they look like spoiled rich kids to me...
(ID #61608) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:04
Masamune in Singapore
GESS, Student
Registered on 2007/10/19 00:40
LEAVE ME ALONE GAIJINS!!!
(ID #61610) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:05
Student
Registered on 2007/05/31 11:24
Well...there goes our reputation.

Not like it was good in the first place.
(ID #61611) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:06
Jin
I've been once proposed to come to this train party, which actually doesn't require any invite... we agree on that.
My reaction to this was to not go there, and especially not participate to what can reinforce japanese opinions about gaijin.
It ends looking like a temporary and illusory fest in the yamanote, and not worthy at all the discomfort inflicted to train passengers.
(ID #61612) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:12
CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal
Student
Registered on 2007/01/03 02:12
Strange I don't remember this type of thing happening here in our major cities, to tell the truth most of the "gaijin" that come here are well behaved but if a group gets to do this sort of thing our services of foreigners and borders tend to send them home immediately.

This sort of thing in Japan is bad because it gives a bad image of us westerners.
(ID #61613) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:14
jorweeck in Philippines
Lackey, Sycophant
Registered on 2007/07/18 10:20
Hopefully something bad happens to them. I hate degenrates like them. 
(ID #61614) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:23
Kuu in 初音島
学生
Registered on 2007/08/13 03:11
This is crazy. Send them back NAO!!!
(ID #61615) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:29
jonhohx in Adelaide working to go to Tokyo
Government agent
Registered on 2007/05/14 19:31
the ignorance of a few creates the suffering for many...its no suprise that racism lives and lives and lives...
(ID #61616) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:31
ait_meijin in サイベリア
IT-オタク
Registered on 2007/02/04 19:58
あれはばかがいこく人だよ
...すてる (*・_・)ノ⌒* 
(ID #61617) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:31
Pippo in Italy
Universitary Student
Registered on 2007/07/03 19:06
i'd like to kick their asses one by one :/
(ID #61618) Posted on 2007/10/31 10:35
griever in Japan
I am so embarrassed.
(ID #61621) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:04
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
crazy gaijins are crazy

those people should be sent back to where they came from
(ID #61623) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:13
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
this is madness! >_<

if sending them back to where they came from doesn't work, there's always the trusty black note book. well, provided we know their names...
(ID #61624) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:16
Oh come on, "Send them back to where they came from".

I know this is wrong and I hate when people start behaving like this, but... kick them out of the country?

I think it'd be better if authorities sanction everyone involved in the disturbances, both japanese and gaijin. Deporting would suck. 


Well, at least that's what I'd like to see in my country. Authorities explaining that not every foreigner is a "criminal" so citizens don't start behaving like morons. But, anyway. Japan must have a different way of thinking. 

Last year, the younger Prince of England, while being on my country, got drunk and desecrated our flag. Even though I hate spoiled children and the fact of what he did, it wouldn't have felt right to kick him out of here.
(ID #61625) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:29
ScummyHawker in London
Illustrator/animator
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
Criminal activity should be treated on a case by case basis, and, if deportation is required then so be it. 
  I can't honestly say I approve of American fratenity style antics, but there's something about the phrase 'send tham back to where they came from' that turns my stomach.
  I thought blanket nationalism would fall into a racist category of comment?
(ID #61627) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:33
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
ScummyHawker,
Sorry about that - my stomach was turning too when I wrote this article. 
(ID #61628) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:47
*shrug* in Osaka-fu
Wow... that's something else. They have a Halloween party on the Loop Line in Osaka every year too, but I've never heard of anything to that degree of wanton idiot-ness. Maybe it has something to do with the police presence for the event here...

In any event, it's not really like you can "hijack" a train on the Loop Line or the Yamanote Line. Wait long enough, and the "hijackers" will end up back where they started. :P
(ID #61629) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:52
Uradox in Nagoya / Perth
Procurement officer / Teacher
Registered on 2007/05/12 15:27
God that pisses me off...
I loose 50 points of hard earnt respect because of those fools.
Send them back and never let them back in :(
(ID #61630) Posted on 2007/10/31 11:56
duffman in the Urban Jungle that is Manila~
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
Registered on 2007/10/30 20:56
damn those retards! send them back to their holes!
(ID #61632) Posted on 2007/10/31 12:01
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia
student
Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39
wow, ok
those gaijin are a-hole. 
the leonidas guy in the pic. don't find anything wrong with him, i though cosplay who take train is alright  
(ID #61634) Posted on 2007/10/31 12:07
Potato in U.S
Bum
Registered on 2007/10/30 22:06
This doesn't just make me feel bad for being an American, but for being a human. They make me cry.
(ID #61635) Posted on 2007/10/31 12:09
オースティン3D in テネシー、アメリカ
大学生・3Dアニメーション
Registered on 2007/10/30 22:19
I hate it when 外人 do things like this, it just makes it worse for the rest of us who have not been able to get into Japan yet. They really need to get their act together or just get out the country, it just makes me sad/mad. :
(ID #61636) Posted on 2007/10/31 12:23
まこっちゃん in 東京都 港区 芝浦
噂ではNOVAの外国人教師がハロウィン電車ジャックを煽動したらしい。

自分は外国人じゃないから、そんなことが本当にあったのかわからないけど。


あと、「外人」は差別用語になるから気をつけて。

正式には「外国人」。
(ID #61637) Posted on 2007/10/31 12:24
Gatsuby
oh please. somebody set fire to the lot of them.
(ID #61638) Posted on 2007/10/31 12:25
GundamJehutyKai in Foundation II Stellvia
IT Client Support
Registered on 2007/09/12 21:33
There's always a group like that around, who push things beyond the boundaries of what is proper and generally make themselves into nuisances.

Even if other foreigners are not part of the disorder, they still have to shoulder the blame. It's times like these I'm glad i'm of oriental descent.  That way, I'm able to blend in more easily and don't grab attention as much. I feel sorry for those who get thrown into that sort of group because they doesn't have that little advantage since, for japanese, gaijin = anyone non oriental. 
(ID #61641) Posted on 2007/10/31 12:47
Joe666
Nothing wrong with some partying.  Get over it!  
(ID #61643) Posted on 2007/10/31 13:41
Sgt Beavis in Dallas, TX, USA
Overpaid Computer Nerd
Registered on 2007/07/23 22:59
I'll play Devil's Advocate here.... 

It should be mentioned that the video Danny is showing was posted a week ago so these events likely happened in 2006 or earlier.....

Now check the video from this article on Japan Probe:  http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3030

Notice that there are plenty of Japanese that are active participants.  Also notice that there is a train conductor was riding in the car and he doesn't appear to have a problem with the riders.

Ok, I'm done playing Devil's Advocate.  I'm certainly not big on any vandalism that may occur on such an event.  Most of the participants are harmless but almost anytime you've got heavy drinking and a lot of people, you are going to have problems.   

However the main problem with a party like this is that these folks are mainly guests in Japan.  I've always believed in the motto, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"  In other words behave.  IMO this is especially applied in a country like Japan where consideration for others is held in higher regard than consideration for one self.  Events like this only serve to strengthen stereotypes.



(ID #61645) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:04
Nightshade in Planet Earth, Sol System, Alpha Sector
3D Animation Instructor
Registered on 2007/10/15 18:27
No offense to those westerners reading this, but there are those from the west who insist on behaving like they're still living in their country and don't conform to any of the rules or customs of their "host country", and that is always an annoying thing.  It gives everybody else from the west, even the really decent fellows (of which there are a lot too) a bad rep.

They broke the law (disturbing the peace, hijacking public property and indecent exposure come to mind), and there's no denying that.  Halloween is no excuse for anything, especially since I don't think Japan values Halloween as much as some other countries do. 

I think it's important the the other Gaijin's openly condemn what happened, to show the Japanese people that they aren't all rowdy drunks.
(ID #61647) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:09
Jango Butt
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3036
Vandalism video posted on japan probe.
(ID #61649) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:18
Furax in Europe
Ofcourse there's nothing wrong with having some fun. In fact, I would not have any offense towards this prank if it would happen in Europe or the USA. But in Japan, standards are just different. Americans think that the world is theirs and they can do whatever they want.

Very sad. These people don't deserve to live in Japan and they only make it harder for good foreigners to settle themselves in Japan.
(ID #61651) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:31
chipstar in 東京
問題なのは
”場所”と”時間”だけですよ。本当に。
そこを間違えずに、好きなだけパーティして欲しいです。
日本人だってどんちゃん騒ぎ好きなんで。
(ID #61653) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:43
Chuck Gaffney in Selden, New York
Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
Registered on 2007/07/29 00:29
Great work dumbasses! Now I'll have a hard time trying to see extended family in Kyoto. Gaijin baka
(ID #61655) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:46
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Send them to jail, let them stew for a whole week (without torture, of course but some brainwashing would be nice).

I guess a trip to Expel is a bit too harsh and that leaving those evildoers roam free is not acceptable either.

Nightshade, I agree with you except for one point. No country, province/state, city or town wants such staples of hooliganism-ish behavior. 

Of course craziness has no frontiers but it should have limits, for everybody's well-being.

So jail and some huge fine in my opinion as their sentence, definitely.
And if recidivism ensues, some trip back home.
(ID #61656) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:48
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
By the way, didn't you want to say "run amok" instead of "run a muck"?

Sounded a bit like goo to me. ;)
(ID #61657) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:51
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
woah, sadly I wasn't able to check out the news. although I should probably just be glad that we didn't come accross these people while going around the subway. People like these do give decent mannered Gaijins living in Japan a bad name. however deporting them might be too harsh a punishment, probably a little bit of community service, it might give them that bit of discipline that they badly need.
(ID #61658) Posted on 2007/10/31 14:52
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
Baka gaijin, its gaijin like that which lead to gaijin stereotypes in Japan.  Just because they can do it doesn't mean that they should do it, even if it is for Halloween.  Though I believe if they did that in America they would be beat down for being idiots by not only officers but the public as well. Then they spend some nice time in jail for being idiots. 
(ID #61659) Posted on 2007/10/31 15:05
Hachiko in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Student
Registered on 2006/12/26 11:13
Idoits. Bunch of idoits. They deserve to be in jail.
(ID #61660) Posted on 2007/10/31 15:12
OMNI Strike in Glasgow, UK
In my last year of High School
Registered on 2006/12/25 02:24
Idiots like that cause stereotyping. Happens when i'm out and about sometimes. There will most likely be a crowd of idiot pakistanis and everyone around them will just think that I am exactly the same. Pisses me off so much.
(ID #61661) Posted on 2007/10/31 15:15
Momojiro
First, I apologize my poor English.
I'm a 35-year-old salaryman who has a 5-year-old lovely daughter. On 27th, my wife, registered nurse, worked late, nonetheless, she tried to come home as soon as possible since the day was my wife's birthday and my daughter insisted to have cake with her mom.  Unfortunately, the Yamanote Line Halloween Party (which we never knew what it was.) stopped the train at Shinagawa station more than 30 minutes, we hardly shared the time for  birthday cake the night.  (My daughter had a piano lesson very next day.)
The participants of the party said that the party was peaceful event and no one got hurt. I want you to know sometimes people suffers by indirect ways.
Thank you for reading.
(ID #61663) Posted on 2007/10/31 15:32
FEARtactics in Canada
Student
Registered on 2007/06/18 12:17
uh... I'd let them off with a warning and some community service time (like fixing the train... or cleaning all the trains XD).
(ID #61664) Posted on 2007/10/31 15:36
DarkMirage in Singapore
ひきこもり
Registered on 2006/12/24 16:07
I think it's pretty harmless. They have been doing this for years if not decades and there are plenty of Japanese participants.
(ID #61666) Posted on 2007/10/31 15:51
無くした
この一件には、心底落胆した。
害人どもの日本を舐め切った態度が1番の問題だが、
結果的には、毅然とした態度を取る事の出来なかった日本側の完全敗北だ。
この時ばかりは、アメリカに抵抗するイスラム
過激派の骨のある姿勢を、羨ましく思った。

この件に関して、自分を棚に上げて文句を言う気はない。
JR東日本や警察だけでなく、国民の1人として、
この馬鹿げた乱痴気騒ぎを阻止する為の
行動を取らずに傍観していた事、阻止する為の
アイデアを、何ら思いつく事の出来なかった
自分も敗北者の1人である事を自覚して、恥じ入っている。
そこから始めるしかない。

多分こいつらは、来年も同じ事をするだろう。
それまでに1年間の猶予がある。
その間に考える。
どの様に行動するかじっくり考える。
そしてこの屈辱を決して忘れないように。

オマエ達害人を敵と見なす。
俺の祖国である日本を喰い散らかし、
その日常を乱す敵と見なす。
(ID #61667) Posted on 2007/10/31 16:01
lizardman in Tokyo
While I agree with that the vandalism is bad and leads to more Gaijin stereotyping I have to say that most Japanese on the contrary have a broom up their ass and - being up to the neck married with their jobs - don't know what partying means! Sometimes pranks can be fun, especially like this. No Japanese would ever have the idea to make a party on an in-service train! This is exactly what Japanese are lacking, a good portion of courage and easygoingness.
(ID #61668) Posted on 2007/10/31 16:22
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
This is just sad.
I am against all types of stereotyping. Even if, yes, crimes and problems like those do happen a lot BECAUSE of foreigners on Japan.
But that's not an excuse for prejudice and stereotyping for the japanese folk also.

This is more about law enforcement, and making more strict rules on imigration.

Like if you're caught doing stuff like that, you're out. Maybe not this strict, but something along the lines.

Thing is, there's a culture shock. I heard that at the beginning of brazilian imigration to Japan, even criminals were allowed to go. 
Things like that are bound to happen.

Brazil is much more open to stuff like turning a train into a party (though not that much... because probably the people who were riding it would kick their asses).

So add that to drinking and a criminal record, and there it goes.

Generally speaking, I think foreigners must always respect the country they are visiting, specially on the cultural aspect. That, or they will eventually be politely invited to GTFO.

But I always disagree that imigrants that are respectful should be treated accordingly. Lots of brazilians and other foreigners are on Japan to work only, mostly doing jobs japanese won't accept doing.

It's pretty close to what happens to mexicans and americans.
(ID #61670) Posted on 2007/10/31 16:55
Sauronu in Bulgaria
Programmer
Registered on 2007/01/15 23:39
Well partying is a good thing but here I see a big group of drunk or will be drunk people, who are disturbing the other passangers. I also need from time to time to relax and party but not where you are disturbing the people around you. And in this case is very bad because all of the gaijin will be clamed for bad people :)
(ID #61671) Posted on 2007/10/31 16:58
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
My last words came out wrong... I always disagree that immigrants who respect the countries culture and law should be treated like those who doesn't.

What I admire in Japan is that there's a time and a place to do such things. So I kinda disagree when people say that they should be more "open" to things like that.

A train is not the place for a guy to get naked, and do whatever he wants to.

Should be arrested, and I hope he is.
(ID #61672) Posted on 2007/10/31 17:01
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Stupid effing twats!

It really annoys me when stuff like this happens. From my experiences there, the vast majority of people in Japan are so polite, courteous, well spoken and law abiding. It must be so easy for individuals to cause chaos and unrest, but no one does because they can be trusted to all live together in a harmonious environment. 
Its a nice feeling being amongst a society that 'works'.

And then these idiots come in. Im guessing theyre mostly Americans as Halloween is a predominantly American holiday and one of the most pointless ones there is.
No disrespect to American readers with that comment, as a vast majority of you wouldnt do anything like this. Its all good having fun in appropriate surroundings, but not when you more or less hijack their spotless public transport and wreck it.

They need their skulls cracking and a spell in jail - just to show that the law enforcement aint as soft as they think they are!

All i can say, is it doesnt help the image of gaijin being boisterous, drunken trouble makers!

I dont even want to watch that video...

>rants<
(ID #61673) Posted on 2007/10/31 17:52
Arekusu in The Lost Woods
Dai Gurren Dan member
[f] 
Registered on 2006/12/31 18:24
I really hate people like that! When i went to Japan it was such a contrast, everyone was curtious, helpful, and reserved, whereas back over in England, people have loud conversations on their phone, they are loud and they push you around if your in the way. And like you said, they give the rest of us a bad name. Thats seems to be the way all around the world, you get a few troublesome gaijins and they give a bad name to all the rest. 

-.- I shall make a giant robot and fly around picking off all the troublemakers then i will promtley throw them into the sea ^_^
(ID #61678) Posted on 2007/10/31 18:10
Sean in San Francisco / Tokyo / London / Dublin
Video Editor / Sound Designer / DJ
Registered on 2007/01/23 17:06
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm -

You have to keep in mind what it's like for many Gaijin in Japan - you get treated like shit for what seem like, NO REASON.

Now if a bunch of Gaijin on 1 day of the year all get dressed up and "hi-jack" a train, I can't be mad at them for that.

Reminds me of my Australian friend who moved to Tokyo to teach English, the most common profession in Japan for foreigners.  The SECOND day he was there some-one spray-painted the letters "GAIJIN OUT!" (in Japanese) on the side of his building. He was then contacted by the Apartment management to PAY to have it cleaned up - as this was CLEARLY his fault!!

He couldnt even read or write Japanese yet! He was made to pay the 
fee, hmmm - welcome to Japan!

Don't forget all the NOVA teachers in Japan ALL out of a job, because NOVA had to suspend part of it's language school operations, because they found guilty by a court of "misleading their customers" (aka telling them they would be learning their chosen foreign language at a higher level).

NOVA has been known FOR YEARS to treat their foreign staff like shit, under-paying them, lying to them about pay-rises, shipping people off to South Korea (where they were treated REALLY badly) etc...

Many more stories where these come from, trust me.

Some people are mad about their train being late because of the Halloween train party - nig deal!

I remember being in delayed trains in Tokyo all the time , because people KILL THEMSELVES on the train-lines so often! _ Then the family of the dead person has to pay a HUGE SUM for that to be cleaned up, etc! Come on! I'd rather people unwind sometimes and have a laugh , rather than letting all that stress build up and then throw yourself in front of a train!

Seriously.
(ID #61679) Posted on 2007/10/31 18:11
krapoutchat in tervuren, belgium
daydreaming
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
It's tremendously sad to see those things happen....
Why do some gaijin feel so obliged to impose their unmannered behavior???
To impress???
Where's the simpliest form of respect in this "stunt"??
Not even to mention the reputation it's going to inflict on other foreigners, the well-mannered...??
Soo sad
(ID #61680) Posted on 2007/10/31 18:14