Sun 2008/06/08 16:14
UPDATE: Video below and more photos at Japan Probe , Iza and AkibaBlog. Truly saddening. Hijacked from Coco The Bean. The myth of Japan being a safe place seems to be changing of late. Original text from Coco below.From Japan Today --------------------------------------------------------- At least a dozen people, including a police officer, were injured and five fell unconscious Sunday after a knife-wielding man attacked them in broad daylight on a street in Tokyo’s Akihabara area, firefighters said. The firefighters said the man slashed at pedestrians with a knife. Police said they detained a man around the scene of the incident that took place around 12:30 p.m. and that the detained man arrived at the scene by car and hit several pedestrians with the vehicle. Akihabara is an electronics quarters of Tokyo known as a center of Japanese subculture, including manga and animation, attracting many visitors from Japan and abroad. ------------------------------------------------------------- I heard the crime rate has been rising in Akihabara, but wow. Never would have expected this. Picture is from a NHK broadcast and was posted on 4chan's /jp/
Posted on Sun 2008/06/08 16:14 by
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So you've seen the inside of high schools in Anime but what does one look like on the inside of a re...(more)
Fri 03/13 21:12 comments (118)
The first time I've seen something like this - was in Kawagoe.
It says "Do not pee or poo here" and...(more)
Sun 08/17 16:21 comments (71)
I hope those 12 people pull through...
(ID #207576) Posted on 2008/06/08 15:54
I second that. Seriously, what's going on in Akiba these days?
(ID #207925) Posted on 2008/06/09 01:51
it's because of that Pantsu lady
(ID #207971) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:18
NEET!
yeah right...pantsu made them mad and aggresive...~ XD
(ID #501879) Posted on 2009/02/25 23:09
Feels like Akihabara is getting waaay more famous that even crazy tard peeps are swarming through bringing their plague to the community. I just hope the reasons of these tards are not because of some psychological effect of being sooo lonely that this is their answer to get some attention.
(ID #207589) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:11
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
thats just sad. i might get flamed for this but if you look close enough at the picture you can see the blood spatter on the intersection. must be a conspiracy out there to cast a bad light on Akiba
(ID #207591) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:18
student, vexillologist
If I am reading the clock, the crime happened on Sunday. Isn't the streets closed to vehicle traffic? If so, how did this car get through? I still will try and be in the area next month, but I can see why some folks are hesitating now.
(ID #207592) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:20
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
i think the guy was on foot when he did it. and if you mean the emergency vehicles, come on buddy...
(ID #207595) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:24
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
disregard that, CNN is reporting that the dude drove a truck through some pedestrians before going on a knifing rampage. I don't know if its accurate news though since another website is saying 14 people are injured
(ID #207608) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:39
student, vexillologist
When events happen quickly, it takes a while to get the numbers right. Shoot, people still toy around with the number of dead and injured of events in the past all of the time. I expect that once the hospitals and the police release figures, then the full picture can be seen.
(ID #207647) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:47
It's not that hard to figure out. Look at this photo http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3324192 The roadblock is to indicate that cars aren't allowed to pass. They are easy to move for the police and also cars that speeds up to get through them.
(ID #207840) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:45
student, vexillologist
Ok, this was exactly I wanted to know. I wonder if they will have to move to a retractable pylon system that I have seen in the States. What it is that the pylons are in the ground and they pop up when activated by something. I do not know if it is a button or key. Just an idea.
(ID #208049) Posted on 2008/06/09 06:30
not all the streets in akiba are closed on Sunday. That's always a busy intersection regardless of the day of the week.
(ID #207852) Posted on 2008/06/09 00:04
What's wrong with that bugger? Gosh. Sounds like one of those things that happens in Hackney. Maybe he wanted to end his life and bring as many people he could with him.
(ID #207599) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:27
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
if that were the case, he might have been going for the "suicide by cop" option. happens a lot here in the states.
(ID #207603) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:33
Hotdog Repairman
It's a mad world out there. Unfortunately, I'm starting to hear that there are casualties from the stabbing. BBC is reporting at least two. I hope Hirito wasn't visiting around there at that time.
(ID #207601) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:30
dust (Registered on 2007/12/08 08:52)
'casualties' refers to injury as well as death. There are at least two confirmed dead.
(ID #207606) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:36
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Now it's 3.. http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4811
(ID #207644) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:46
Lasersword operator
7... :(
(ID #207815) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:13
University Student.
Well, I'm still alive and kicking!! Thank goodness I wasn't there, but somewhere along Harajuku at the time of incident. But it's really sad to hear such things happening, especially in a place where we would consider very safe. Guess no where is ever 100% safe. *Prays nothing happens next week Sunday, when I do visit Akiba.*
(ID #207866) Posted on 2008/06/09 00:36
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
What's with all the crazy lunatics these days? Just sad. People like that stabber should just kill themselves if they want so desperately to get attention. But no, the coward's way it is. To go stabbing innocent people... what a worthless pile of crap the guy must be. Makes me kinda ashamed for belonging to the same species...
(ID #207602) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:33
"People like that stabber should just kill themselves if they want so desperately to get attention." You're talking about Japan here. There's no way one can get attention to themselves with something as common as killing themselves. =P
(ID #207620) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:59
software manager
gads. this reminds me of an incident that occurred in march - very similar if i remember, some nut went slashing people in a rail station. one victim didn't make it.
(ID #207604) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:33
I blame grand theft auto 4 ...
(ID #207607) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:38
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
...and so it begins. *sigh
(ID #207609) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:40
I'm just saying it before news international put their spin on things.
(ID #207612) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:43
I blame Ninja Gaiden II...just kidding, I love that game.
(ID #208142) Posted on 2008/06/09 10:40
Game Censorship and Rating in Japs ?
(ID #207610) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:43
jack thompson's gonna have a field day with this... sigh why do people do the things they do argh
(ID #207675) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:00
Anime & Ferrari fanboy
Hope thats a joke or sarcasm or else we would have more censored anime and games :(. As for this stabbing, the area is still safe its only one person thats changing the "How safe it is in Tokyo" label. Someone you know could just snap and start wacking people with a baseball bat :/. My area is now considered "unsafe" because a dead body was found about 10 minutes (walk) from here. Like someone tried showing, its all about perspective. 12 people damn :(
(ID #207994) Posted on 2008/06/09 04:00
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
I wonder what was the reasoning behind the attack. I think it's an otaku hater or something... It must be a plot against Akihabara or something... Hope those people who go injured will be alright!!!
(ID #207614) Posted on 2008/06/08 16:46
BBC news says that the Japanese guy's excuse was that he find that his life is crap or so so. D: And I could of sworn that the BBS said 11 got stabbed, ranging from ages 21~70s.
(ID #207865) Posted on 2008/06/09 00:35
It seems like he is one of those people that wanted to die and tried to take as many people with him but ultimately he couldn't end his own life despite extinguishing the life of others. Not that he was justified of course but it seems like this is the same story I've been hearing. Another person who can't seem to handle the pressures anymore. I think Japan like the other Asian countries can be a very stressful place to live in. Like the other East Asian countries there is alot of emphasis put into being over-achievers and failure is not tolerated and frowned upon. Asian countries are among the highest in the world in suicide rates. It kind of reflects how much stress is put upon each individual there. Again I don't justify someone doing something like he did but I think in Asia there tends to be more people who tend to snap or fall through the cracks.
(ID #207993) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:55
Probably, I'm asian, but I tend to aim to the top at first and then give up towards the end because I did crap or what ever. I never want to commit suicide even once when I'm under pressure. I pull it through each time by just, doin' what needs to be done. I see your point, must be stressful in the east :/
(ID #208613) Posted on 2008/06/09 22:33
this is really bad
(ID #207626) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:03
akiba hate crime.. that's serious stuff. ._.
(ID #207628) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:06
Weird thing about it, it almost seems as what you're saying is true. Why did he specifically target Akiba? Does he hold some deep hatred towards otakus?
(ID #207932) Posted on 2008/06/09 01:56
student
Looks like the lunatic was driving around in circles in that intersection and hitting pedestrians while crossing. Take as many people with him before taking his own life.
(ID #207629) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:06
Now, now, stop the panic train and wait for the facts to come in. The Associated Press say it's a reported Japanese gangster going on a rampage. In fact, let's just wait for the police to complete their investigations before we pass more knee-jerk reactions about crazy people in Akihabara.
(ID #207640) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:36
apparently the guy has to do with yakuza?.. and there are 3 casualties at this point..
(ID #207641) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:40
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Can't say much.. this is just stupid.
(ID #207643) Posted on 2008/06/08 17:45
GODDAMN, looks like akibahara is getting a bad name for itself, good thing most of the people who are thinking of going there know that akibahara is an actually good place, pretty much the mecca for all anime and manga fans out there, but I hope the politicians dun make such a huge deal about it then again is gonna be hard not to with this incident :(
(ID #207656) Posted on 2008/06/08 18:11
Illustrator, Autobot envoy
Unfortunately, we can probably expect some form of backlash against the anime/manga industry because of this, in my opinion. People will want a scapegoat of some kind to, in a way, ease their minds and allow them to place the blame on something... and what better thing to place the blame on than the primary industry in the crime scene's immediate area? :(
(ID #207668) Posted on 2008/06/08 18:42
But, wouldn't the primary industry in the area be electronics? Likewise, the government has been trying to prop up a lot of manga/anime as a source of cultural learning about Japan. It's a form of diplomatic soft-power. I don't think they'll be so quick to demonize something they've been trying to elevate for the last two years. My guess is, if it is a member of one of the yakuza families, the government and media will put pressure on them. My op, anyway...
(ID #207677) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:03
I don't think the typical backlash against video games and media you would typically see in America may occur in this situation mainly because of the location. I think the victims are people who are in the district, who are probably people shopping there for games, manga, etc. It's sad, but these kind of violence happens in America a lot. But regardless, this senseless violence is still pretty big in Japan, and regardless of where you live, no one wants to see this.
(ID #207734) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:37
Very true. I'm guessing by the latest comments from the murderer (he was tired of life and just wanted to kill people) that the government and media will be discussing the suicide rate in Japan, again, and how to counter it. Also, how suicide and homicide may relate in Japan, too.
(ID #207743) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:46
Wouldn't you say otaku culture is more victim than culprit though?
(ID #207834) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:35
dieting cosplaying female student
; ~ ; how scary! why'd he do it aniwaes? :O
(ID #207659) Posted on 2008/06/08 18:23
Software Quality Engineer
There are now FIVE people who died because of this! How depressing. :-( japanprobe.com has some photos of the attacker.
(ID #207665) Posted on 2008/06/08 18:36
This news is also on Italian newspaper webpages. =( http://www.repubblica.it/2008/06/sezioni/esteri/tokyo-coltellate/tokyo-coltellate/tokyo-coltellate.html Another attack against Akibahara and its lovely fauna. Really sad
(ID #207670) Posted on 2008/06/08 18:44
Wow, that guy played too much GTA. Really, this just messed up >_<
(ID #207671) Posted on 2008/06/08 18:44
writing mini thesises
should he play eroge instead and he'll bukkake to 12 people in akiba LOL
(ID #207676) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:02
Student and full-time otaku
Pff, has there been any news on a nuthouse missing some of its inmates? Because they all got sent to Akiba to wreak havoc it seems -_-
(ID #207682) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:22
figure collector
hmmm... i think i should be more carefull when in akihabara from now on!
(ID #207683) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:25
7 dead now and 17 injured... yeah ill be careful when i go there in a week... i dont want to be ran over... or stabbed... but at least if hes comming by knife i get a chance to take him out before he gets near. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4089998.ece
(ID #207685) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:31
Seems like the murderer was born in Aomori...my home prefecture...yay...
(ID #207686) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:35
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
THIS IS MADNESS. in before even heavier police presence in Akiba.
(ID #207690) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:45
TV http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=IrqS_q_8C1I
(ID #207699) Posted on 2008/06/08 19:58
I read this on Japanprobe this morning and i thought it was a joke. Whenever there appears to be a case of a random nutter stabbing people, it usually appears to be in a small town on outside of Tokyo, not in ruddy Akiba on a sunday! Its strange with japan - it seems so peaceful and safe, yet every once in a while a crime happens that is so random and horrific, that if baffles the mind. Must be a lot of pent-up agression. Oh well - i hope this doesnt happen again - the last thing akiba needs is a sense of uneasiness when walking around there.
(ID #207700) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:01
I just cant say anything... 17 are stabbed and 7 died, according to the latest report by NIKKEI. 3 out of the 17 are women, it says. It's a historic crime. It's really a big deal in Japan now, I cant still believe it...
(ID #207714) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:15
Kusou, at this rate, I won't be able to visit Akihabara, before they'll close for causing crime >.< I hope that the fact it attracts people from the country and abroad, will prevent that from happening :/
(ID #207718) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:22
~Undine~
That is quite sad, especially since Japan has been mediatized as a relatively safe country with low crime so far, it would be unfortunate if crime and such occurences would increase. As it is, it seems everywhere around the world we see more such senseless crimes and violence. Are they just being hyped by the media to instill fear and make us consume more or vote for nationalistic, oppressive parties? Or are people really degenerating more and more into such violent fits? Let's hope suitable measures through correct means are taken to try and reverse or better this situation. And not resort to scapegoating or baseless blaming... as that solves nothing. There's been an increase in riots and violence by immigrant descendants here, but scapegoating or pursecuting them on the base of ethnicity instead of objective factors them would not be a good idea I think. (It's been done before too many times and never ended well.)
(ID #207723) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:27
My host mum just told me, watching the news, that 7 people are dead and 15 wounded.
(ID #207724) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:27
Ah, sorry didn't realise someone else had already said that. My evil twin apparently considering he also has an L avatar.
(ID #207726) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:28
Next time, I'll make a detour to Ikebukuro for all my anime-related merchandise.. Rhough I';; still head for Akiba... maid cafes FTW!!!
(ID #207727) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:30
Don`t forget Nakano Broadway. It is worth the go~ As for the incident, they`re definitely in the minority, but just one is enough to make people to change the general opinion of one place or subject.
(ID #207746) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:49
Hotdog Repairman
Good thing Danny wasn't troopin around Akiba this Sunday. Suspect he won't wanna go for awhile either. Such a horrible day for Japan...
(ID #207729) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:32
Although, not to make the situation too light, but if Danny had been in Storm Trooper gear, it may have given the other guy pause before going on a rampage.
(ID #207745) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:48
The fact that this incident happened *one day after* I went there made this even more shocking to me. I`ve just watched the news in Manyo Club and saw the crossing I walked over yesterday where part of the incident happened. It surely has a hidden yet chilling feeling knowing about this while I was just there not long ago. Everything felt normal yesterday; the day after that is no longer quite the same, even when things have resumed to normal by 7pm.
(ID #207744) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:46
You know, I had a very similar feeling in this super-market across from my aparetment when I was in college. One day I went to shop there, and later that night a person who wanted to commit suicide killed [if I recalled] 2 people with a katana [I kid you not on that]. He would have done more damage, but he was shot by security. They closed it down for a day, and the next day I wnet there, and they cleaned everything up as if nothing happened. I know a lot of people who still goto that supermarket, and they are all unaware something like that happened.
(ID #207749) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:53
Online Shop
Man, lots of bad things are happening at Akihabara this year...
(ID #207755) Posted on 2008/06/08 21:03
Student
How horrible! I think that this will have an effect tourism on Akiba, people would now be scared wandering on the streets because of this.
(ID #207756) Posted on 2008/06/08 21:08
Nandeyane~
I don't know what to say...
(ID #207759) Posted on 2008/06/08 21:20
Student
The japanese media will be all over the "Otaku are a bad influence on society" without a second thought. This is such bad publicity. And I hope the injured victims pull through ok.
(ID #207765) Posted on 2008/06/08 21:28
Pursuing that ever-elusive diploma.
I hope the injured pull through, death penalty on that moron, seriously. I mean, Akihabara has been a place of much controversy lately, and idiots like him have to come and ruin Otaku Haven even further.
(ID #207766) Posted on 2008/06/08 21:29
Apparently one of the victims was a maid. D: That's messed up, who the hell stabs a maid?
(ID #207768) Posted on 2008/06/08 21:38
Education specialist, IT content developer, crosscutural trainer, freelance translator / interpreter
Where did you hear that from?
(ID #207986) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:32
There was a 2Channel thread about the attack earlier today, where someone talked about it.
(ID #208031) Posted on 2008/06/09 05:56
I've just heard about this from the BBC, I want to express my sympathy to the families of those affected by this tragedy. It is shocking to hear the news and I hope those remaining with injuries manage to make a full recovery.
(ID #207769) Posted on 2008/06/08 21:43
At least they can't blame this on gaijin.
(ID #207791) Posted on 2008/06/08 22:22
Oddly the picture of the guy who did this looks similar to the guy from Densha Otoko.
(ID #207802) Posted on 2008/06/08 22:44
五〇一軍团 TK8316 Singapore Garrison Public Relations Officer
very sad news indeed. :-(
(ID #207820) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:17
the last thing i heard... 7 dead 6 man 1 woman. 2 were foreigners but i dont know which nationality.
(ID #207824) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:24
I just heard what had happened on the news, I was actually at the scene during the aftermath. It's quite sad that it happened.
(ID #207825) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:24
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
Sekai ga kawateru...
-Saji Crossroad-
But it's certainly not changing for the better! What's with people these days, huh?
(ID #207826) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:24
What a shocker. I was at the exact same place yesterday. I bought a DS game and some Revoltech figures at Sofmap. I was watching this live earlier today and still am surprised about this incident.
(ID #207827) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:25
Gamer
Has he told anyone his reasons for doing it?
(ID #207830) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:34
""He said he was tired of life. He said he was sick of everything."" From http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/06/07/japan-stabbing.html
(ID #207974) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:19
腐女子
not that excuse again D":<
(ID #642095) Posted on 2009/06/12 05:51
I was there today at around 1:40. Place was full of police and loads of helicopters. Didn't even understand what was going on at first until I asked a woman who explained in poor English while miming stabbing someone. If I had gone a little over an hour earlier I would have witnessed the whole thing.
(ID #207837) Posted on 2008/06/08 23:41
A little over an hour before and you could have been stabbed or worse. Good thing you went at the time you decided to go.
(ID #207849) Posted on 2008/06/09 00:02
Currently Serving National Service
Out of the 12 people, 6 was killed while 3 was rammed down by a truck drove by the murderer. It was reported on Singapore Channel 8 6.30pm news.
(ID #207850) Posted on 2008/06/09 00:02
五〇一軍团 TK8316 Singapore Garrison Public Relations Officer
it's on the evening news just now. some of them are so young. :-(
(ID #207872) Posted on 2008/06/09 00:41
working to pay for figures etc.
He obviously picked Akiba deliberately because the streets, although coned off on Sunday, are still relatively accessible, and there are usually a lot of people walking in the road. He could have gone for just about any other pedestrianised area in Tokyo on that day. I know the heavier police presence there is resented, but it most likely prevented any further mayhem (he dropped the knife when he saw a copper with a gun apparently). It will remain to be seen what repercussions this will have on the district. Hopefully the spirit of the place will recover, but it may never be QUITE the same...
(ID #207885) Posted on 2008/06/09 01:04
Polytechnic Senior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer, Pokemon Indexer.
He should have just stabbed himself with the knife in the middle of the street. That way he dies (in)famous and no one dies along with him. I wanna pelt him with shotput balls, seriously.
(ID #207907) Posted on 2008/06/09 01:28
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
Agreed
(ID #208896) Posted on 2008/06/10 03:52
Terrible thing. I heard of this when get up on news, and seems that the man says something like: "I`m tired of live...", or something like that... Damn maniac, if you are tired of living, finish with it if is your desire, but don`t involve others with your madness...
(ID #207914) Posted on 2008/06/09 01:37
Agreed.
(ID #208068) Posted on 2008/06/09 07:17
Depressing. I just can't say more. Where is this incident going to go to? More police in Akihabara? So much crime in Japan lately...
(ID #207927) Posted on 2008/06/09 01:53
7 confirmed killed...
(ID #207990) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:47
Temp Assistant, Hikkikomori
There seems to be a disturbing trend of increasing violence these days... ... I hope that no more such incidents occur in Akiba (or anywhere ROW) Before you kill, think. Did they do anything wrong to deserve an early end to their lives? Did their family do you anything wrong to deserve such?
(ID #207940) Posted on 2008/06/09 02:07
this incident seem to be pretty big.. it was reported (again) in the Singapore news (the 11 pm news )this time, it reported 7 dead.
(ID #207942) Posted on 2008/06/09 02:14
Man, this is bad. Talk about making me hesitant on my work transfer at the end of the year, sheeesh. On an off note for people saying "Jack Thompson this and that", this is Japan, not the US. He would be an idiot to even try and involve himself in something out of his jurisdiction, per se. IMHO.
(ID #207945) Posted on 2008/06/09 02:18
anime/cosplay events organizer
If he is tired of life, then why didn’t he just ended his own life rather than going on a stabbing frenzy and killing innocent people’s lives >.> Not only he killed innocent people but he also killed Akiba or maybe even Japan's reputation as a safe city.
(ID #207947) Posted on 2008/06/09 02:21
Wow, never expected this...... ok, seriously now, there's no way they can pin this one on us. it's sad though, 3 people died because some psycho decided to go crazy like that. I guess I should be happy that there's a ban on firearms in Japan.....
(ID #207949) Posted on 2008/06/09 02:25
so sad to hear that innocent people get killed and injured not just in akihabara but all over the world. i feel so upset and angry. i believe that if you get caught doing such crimes you should be tortured to hell. Families of innocent people go thru pain when their loved ones die, so why not give pain back to those who do the crime? I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. so sad.
(ID #207952) Posted on 2008/06/09 02:44
7 people confirmed dead http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080608-00000934-san-soci
(ID #207957) Posted on 2008/06/09 02:50
This is really depressing. 7 people are dead and 10 others got injured according to BBC news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7442327.stm :(
(ID #207966) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:12
Not to make light of this horrible situation, but you would think that if he drove his car into a crowd of people and then got out carrying a knife, SOMEONE would've been able to get him before he injured/killed those people. Then again, I wouldn't charge at a guy with a 12-inch knife. From pictures he doesn't seem like a big strong guy, though...
(ID #207969) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:16
Granted, but you don't need to be a big, strong guy to kill someone with a knife. People reacted as they should've reacted--they ran. Unless you're armed with a better weapon, have extensive training in disarming people, or have some kind of hero complex, you should just stay away.
(ID #208077) Posted on 2008/06/09 07:36
Well, yes, but I'm sure that if 2 of the 7 people who are now dead had rushed the guy, there would be at least 5 less people dead. Same sort of thing as the Virginia Tech shooting when the guy walked in and killed a whole classroom full of people - if one or two people had rushed him, the other 28 or whatever it was would still be alive. That said, you're right, I would have tried to get away from this knife-wielding guy as quick as I could.
(ID #208317) Posted on 2008/06/09 13:57
The argumentation does make sense considering our current knowledge of the killer's intentions. But when suddenly facing a psycho toying with a blade or gun you don't know if he's desperate to kill people, making an attack a potentially very unnecessary risk escalating the situation. (and very likely ending your own live) In the current case the truck will be perceived as an accident at first, then no one will know what the "bad driver" is up to with his knife and the intentions will only be clear once you see him stabbing a person laying on the ground. If not prepared the rush of adrenalin alone would hamper any kind of coordinated action by the potential victims in such a situation. The only exception are modern day plane hijackings, all know they are in high risk of involuntary kamikaze and act accordingly.
(ID #208388) Posted on 2008/06/09 15:55
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
we live in a more selfish and cynical age today. the ideas of heroism, courage and honor are dead. ask yourself, in the midst of sudden bloodshed and insanity, whose skin will you save first? yours or a complete strangers'?
(ID #208390) Posted on 2008/06/09 15:57
Warehouse Employee
Very sad news... Can't imagine someone causing such a horror. It's been on the news even here in Belgium.
(ID #207975) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:20
OMG!! I didn't find out about this incident till now! What is happening in Akiba. Its supposed to be a sanctuary for otaku and all around safe place for tourists, but never expected anything like this. Trully sad news. Hope it doesn't continue this way. Those crazies need to kept off the streets.
(ID #207985) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:32
Oh, btw--take care of yourself, danny!
(ID #207987) Posted on 2008/06/09 03:34
Student
According to Jiji the guy said to the cops that he was tired of living and went to Akihabara to kill people didn't matter who. Unfortunately seven people died in the attack, six men between the age of 19 and 74 and a woman of 21. Apparently people are relating this attack to the one that happened exactly seven years ago in a primary school in Ikeda Osaka, where a mentally ill killed 8 students. Our sorrows to the families of the ones that died in this attack in Akihabara
(ID #207997) Posted on 2008/06/09 04:15
Sad news indeed but doesn't this show that the Otaku population are too busy with their hobbies to know martial arts? If one knew Aikido or Karate I'm sure they would have thrown and pinned this guy to the ground before he could stab anyone else. Of course, Japan does appear to be a very safe place to live in for one to be bothered to take such lessons.
(ID #207999) Posted on 2008/06/09 04:25
Athough our general japanophilia might lead to an interest an martial arts, this doesn't quite work for japanese. The sick logic behind choosing akihabara might be that the attacker wanted to face as little physical resistance as possible, expecting weak nerds as target (especially after the police going after military otaku). He might have chosen ikebukuro's more female audience if he knew about it.
(ID #208055) Posted on 2008/06/09 06:42
Knowing martial arts does not mean you should charge someone with a knife. He doesn't need extensive training to get one lucky stab in that could end your life, regardless of how skilled you are.
(ID #208078) Posted on 2008/06/09 07:39
I remember my teacher always stressing that even with training, the only reasonable unarmed way of reacting to a knife is to run, something I fully agree on. And even a 12th dan won't help you when being stabbed in the back... or run over.
(ID #208305) Posted on 2008/06/09 13:36
study
That crazy
(ID #208010) Posted on 2008/06/09 05:02
That's just terrible, why would anyone want to do that in the first place? Apart from local otakus, I would expect a lot of tourist would be in the area too.
(ID #208080) Posted on 2008/06/09 07:40
1st world uh?... o. O
(ID #208084) Posted on 2008/06/09 07:51
"Many said that the incident would change “Electric Town” forever. Shun Koizumi, an Akihabara regular, said that the area had gained its reputation as a centre of otaku culture because of the sense of safety that surrounds it. “With that gone, it will be some time before otaku like me will return,” he said." Doesn't sound good :*(
(ID #208121) Posted on 2008/06/09 09:23
Rather sad to read about this, as i've seen the news on TV here in Norway... Why is it that people vent their rage on innocents just because someone lost ones job, or other things ? Is japanese society so merciless on people who fail in life ? Sure, anyone can tolerate that your habits may seem odd, and still people respect you for that... but going postal by stabbing anyone randomly ? that won't help your situation at all... don't know what to make of this...
(ID #208133) Posted on 2008/06/09 10:10
So far, very few people mentioned that there's someting to do with otaku culture. (Precisely, there's no room for everyone to pay attention to details now.) However, according to a latest report, the suspect seemed to like anime when he was on his teens. (In his guraduation writings of junior high school, he painted a girl with a sword, it says.) It may be matter of time before someone say otaku culture would have bad influences. It was the most depressing news ever...
(ID #208134) Posted on 2008/06/09 10:17
Education specialist, IT content developer, crosscutural trainer, freelance translator / interpreter
Unfortunately, things aren't looking too good. You might have already seen the sketch that he drew in high school showing that he was a fan of fantasy games. Well, now, According to Itai News, Asahi TV in the morning wide show, and then the Yukan Fuji newspaper reported on what Kato's fellow employees said, talking about Kato's lolicon proclivities, that he loved Akihabara, was "only interested in 2D", would only sing anime songs at karaoke, and would take fellow employees with him to Akihabara where he'd show them around to maid cafes, and that his apartment hardly had any things in it apart from a few dojin manga. It's the same old story once again. In an attempt to rationalize the unfathomable atrocity of the crime, the media is doing everything short of drawing the explicit conclusion that otaku culture was responsible for fostering Kato's murderous ways. What a crock of BS.
(ID #208847) Posted on 2008/06/10 02:28
zoniku (Registered on 2007/11/16 07:56)
Hoping the victims, their families, & the reputation of Akihabara will recover. I just hope that Akihabara doesn't die due to this...
(ID #208279) Posted on 2008/06/09 13:12
Student // Collector // Gaijin
Gosh...and I have a picture of me on that street corner exactly 1 month prior. Scary. RIP victims
(ID #217557) Posted on 2008/06/20 09:14
his favorite game was probaly out of stock or something, lol
(ID #644072) Posted on 2009/06/14 11:52
In Finland there is a bakery called www.eromanga.info.
Apparently sells non ero bread.
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