Mon 2008/06/16 00:43
A police discovered a swiss knife being carried by a person after doing a random spot check. The officer then called for backup and arrived on the scene were 18 of his police officer buddies. The knife in question was 5cm long - Japanese law permits knifes up to 8cm to be carried (source). The knife carrier was questioned for 2 hours and said the swiss knife was used for bike repairs. More pics of the incident at Akibaos and Akibablog. Do you or people you know around you carry knifes - swiss or otherwise?
Posted on Mon 2008/06/16 00:43 by
well, i dunno about the knife law here in sweden ^^; either way i think its good that cops have (?) higher security now, so that there wont be more knife-stabbing events
(ID #213855) Posted on 2008/06/16 00:58
I can imagine the police will be in 'overkill' mode for a while, in akihabara especially. I didnt know you repeaird bikes with knifes ... Anyway weapons are all around us everyday ... didnt Jackie chan teach us anything?
(ID #213856) Posted on 2008/06/16 00:59
Yeah, my brother uses a swiss thing aswell for bike repairs, there are a couple of special swiss knives with bike oriented tools inside, pretty nifty.
(ID #213866) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:15
Web Design & Development
Yeah, screwdrivers are useful for pretty much anything and some of those knives have PSI checking things and a little tool thing for prying the tire off of the bike's rims to replace tubes. Ny uncle, who used to be a serious mountain biker has one that can store a few tube patches in it and has a little sanding tool to sand around any holes in the tube to make the patches stick better.
(ID #214018) Posted on 2008/06/16 07:11
LOL!! 18 officers for a guy with a 5cm swiss army knife? wow...overkill
(ID #213860) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:09
Psychosis for the last Akiba incident ( i don´t blame them)
(ID #214161) Posted on 2008/06/16 12:24
Otaku-Lolikon-Student
I bet the police in my country will be too lazy to spot check anyone. you can even actually pay them like RM10(around 3USD) and ask them leave you alone. well, this is how corrupted my country are oTL
(ID #213862) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:11
Chef, Full fledged Otaku, Full time Observer.....
i know the feeling... seems the aw enforcement in msia is getting worst...
(ID #213877) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:25
1st year Civil Engineering Student
Police here doing spot checks? Seriously, they do that here? Doesn't that only happen in our schools? ^^;;
(ID #213928) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:58
Game Designer
RM10(USD 3) is call Kopi(coffee fee), which is cheaper more "serious" "offence". or when they in need of "income" they might prefer Nescafe which is around of RM50 (USD15), this could help to solve many problem in malaysia~ like once when i order 4 models from Japan which cost about RM300 (US90), they will find ways to say "this have to pay tax of 5% and the applications fee, form fees, delivery fees tax...........) and ended up about RM180 (USD 54) tax fee....then I just pay RM50 by saying "boleh (can) tolong-tolong (help)?"
(ID #214012) Posted on 2008/06/16 06:54
1st year Civil Engineering Student
LOL. I try to avoid ordering figures from outside Malaysia in order to avoid these kinda stuff. Pretty sad sight, plus I'm not the one who'll succumb to giving away bribes that easily.
(ID #214057) Posted on 2008/06/16 09:16
Student and Digital Racer
It looks like Japanese people like overhype-ing something. It made me remember one of episode of Sayonara Zetsobou Sensei ^^
(ID #213868) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:19
Some years ago (5, before I went to USA for a while) I carried my swiss knfie everywhere here in Mexico. Never had a problem with it and it was very helpful to have with me. When in USA I stopped carrying it around since laws there can be very tricky. I didn't want to get in trouble in a country that it's not my own. Now back in Mexico, I keep my swiss knife either in my desk at work (close to Rei and Asuka) or with all my cables and electronics at home. My father also carries his swiss knife almost to everywhere.
(ID #213875) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:25
Magazine Editor
I'm (half) Swiss so for me it's really funny to see 18 "supermen" together for a Swiss knife kepts in a bag... they should learn Japanese laws before trying to harras Japanese citizens who actually pay their wages... Anyway, this is nothing compared to what they have done in Kamagasaki friday night (the video has never showed up in any Japanese TV News)... http://blog.gamersweb.it/post/1206955375/ Hope that we will never have scenes like this in Akiba...
(ID #213876) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:25
Part human, part student, 100% loser
People here aren't allowed to carry weapons here... LOL 18 officers... Wow, just wow... Poor guy had to undergo 2 hrs of interrogation...
(ID #213878) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:29
McMaster Engineering Student Fall 08
If the guy handed over his knife to the officer for the checkup, it can already be guessed that the guy is non-resistant. So why do they need 18 officers to further detain him? ^^; Maybe those other officers had nothing better to do?
(ID #213881) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:32
to show off how much one single buy with a non-law breaking item can cause such a distraction
(ID #214381) Posted on 2008/06/16 21:08
Senior Software & Systems Developer
I always carry my knife with me (Leatherman Surge). It has a 9cm long straight as well as serrated locking blade. It often comes in handy and I never go anywhere without it.
(ID #213883) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:34
Game Designer
hmm~ can tell why? is it not save there? If I would have to carry one,I would prefer to carry a katana instead...or a wakizashi
(ID #213915) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:36
Senior Software & Systems Developer
The knife is actually quite useless for self defence. More of a useful tool for doing stuff like changing plugs, opening servers, fixing the car, opening packages, opening milk boxes, etc....
(ID #215116) Posted on 2008/06/17 17:03
wow 18 officers sent in just for one guy who is only a possible threat. isnt one guy with a gun enough.
(ID #213884) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:34
Haha! I'm just laughing that 18 cops arrived for a Swiss Army Knife! That thing cant do crap, its all about the Leatherman now thats a real pocket multi tool :D
(ID #213885) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:35
nanu (Registered on 2007/12/28 22:28)
orz hysteria always happens after attacks. I nearly always carry a Leatherman Micra with my keys or on my person (3.8cm blade). Scissors, screwdrivers is always handy. I sometimes carry a Gerber multitool mostly for its pliers (has a rather dull 5.8cm blade), when I may need to repair something but don't expect it. Since I would not want to lose time explaining myself to authorities like this guy, I know better than to carry my pocket knife (8.5cm blade) outside of home, unless I require it. I have yet to find such a situation.
(ID #213895) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:52
radical anime fan in Singapore; starting to freeze up. Mmm, end-of-year weather. (Registered on 2007/01/25 22:08)
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
18 men to one? It's like killing a cockroach with the Zeong. Well, they were doing their job, so they get 999 cookies from me. minus 997 for sheer overkill.
(ID #213886) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:36
Swiss army knife?? Big deal! They have loads of other tools that are useful for more than just stabbing! I heard that some otaku carry knives anyway to protect themselves from 'otaku hunters'!
(ID #213893) Posted on 2008/06/16 01:51
I carry a switchblade everywhere with me. The reason being is that Im a mechanic and i am used to having my blade in my chest pocket for when I need it. I use my blade for everything....and I mean everything. From cutting belts, to slicing spam hahaha :D (of course I clean it before cutting anything ediable) Self defense is pretty much down my list of needing a blade.
(ID #213898) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:03
Wow, if i go there, i be dead. I always bring my swiss knife along with me. Everywhere
(ID #213900) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:05
18 officers and 2 hours eh? that's pretty sick. i'm sorry to hear about that.
(ID #213902) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:12
Damn, the Akiba cops aren't fooling around. They are cracking down on knives hard out there. And yes, you are allowed to carry consealed knives in L.A., and there is a certain limit in size out here as well. But for the most part, knives are a thing of the past. Everyone has to have a gun now. Though guns are more dangerous and give a higher risk of killing someone, a bullet seems less painful then getting stabbed, shanked or cut up.
(ID #213908) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:21
Student
Well I find it normal for the police to be concerned at this moment, they don't want the same thing to happen again, but questioning the guy for 2 hours is a bit to much. We are allowed to have swiss knifes here but if the cops catch you with one be ready for some questioning to. Sometimes I walk with one to cut of some cheese or another home made beverages made in the mountains every time I go there ^_^
(ID #213913) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:31
Game Designer
hmm~ so next time if i want to be on Dannychoo.com's headline I should carry a less than 8cm swiss knife at Akiba ! hmm~ good idea! (X, joking~)
(ID #213914) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:32
Jobless Student
Japanese police are so retarded... I swear, they're the most useless police force I have ever seen in my life. Not only do they not know how to deal and assess real situations properly, they also don't know how to handle in an emergency (kinda like the subway gas attack a while back, where they had to call in police forces from America cause they had no clue what to freaking do. 18 cops to one guy with a short swiss knife blade is TOTAL overkill, and not to mention it's a blade within legal proportions...
(ID #213919) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:40
1st year Civil Engineering Student
You haven't seen our police yet. Don't even get me started on them.
(ID #213930) Posted on 2008/06/16 02:59
Physical Therapist
I carry my Swiss Knive all the time with me.Its soooo useful (especially the can opener^^) You can carry knives that arent obvisiouly weapons up to a specific lenght with you over here in germany. Well you shouldnt try to get with a knive in a club or meet a politician but on the streets and everyday life its no problem
(ID #213932) Posted on 2008/06/16 03:01
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
dont these police people know Mcgyver. . .
(ID #213933) Posted on 2008/06/16 03:02
It's good that they are trying to keep Akihabara a safe place...but to be honest...that's just over the top.
(ID #213941) Posted on 2008/06/16 03:27
Photographer/Night Auditor
I always carry my CRKT M16-10k. You never know when you might need to use one....to open boxes. That's pretty freaking lame and way overkill what the police did.
(ID #213942) Posted on 2008/06/16 03:35
Overpaid Computer Nerd
Law abiding citizens are allowed to carry concealed handguns with a permit. Yes, I have one and carry it regularly. Some parts of Dallas can be pretty dangerous. At one point it was the murder capitol of the world.
(ID #213944) Posted on 2008/06/16 03:43
Student and full-time otaku
Nope, don't carry any. Like everyone should imo. Just recently a teacher here was threatened by a student who pulled out a knife after an argument. Still, this is going overboard, but on the other hand, better safe than sorry huh?
(ID #213952) Posted on 2008/06/16 04:11
PhysicsMajor/Someting/Photo/Pharm Tech
I carry a Victorinox multi tool and I use it everyday. From using the pliers to using the serrated knife for cutting open boxes. I think it is a shame that a multi tool like that to be considered a weapon only. I probably carry my box cutter if that's the case.
(ID #213955) Posted on 2008/06/16 04:20
not again..... getting alot of attention lately in akiba. dont carry the swiss utility tool unless going for BBQ, shalet or camplng. understand some has it for work purpose but i think one should not carry it after work or when off duty. it will always send the wrong signal or purpose first when reasoning. eg : you dont carry a penknief or scissor with you after you return home and go out with your frens. if i didnt remember wrong, not allowed to carry items sharp or pointed in singapore that can be consider a weapond.
(ID #213956) Posted on 2008/06/16 04:21
Everyone is bagging on the cops. While I agree that 18 police officers for one swiss army knife is way over kill (and questioning the guy for 2 hours) they are on high alert after the last incident. This always happens when something big like that happens. There's a big show made for a while, then things slow return to normal. I'd like to see the guy that was carrying the knife. It would be hilarious if he was a salary man.
(ID #213962) Posted on 2008/06/16 04:37
I got a swiss army knife for my bf this valentines, I was gonna get one for myself as well. I thought it would be nice to have scissors to cut things if you needed them on the road. and omg, 18 officers for backup?! and I thought the police over here had nothing to do....
(ID #213971) Posted on 2008/06/16 04:50
Extremely Poor College Student
i used to carry a swiss knife on me but stop carrying it after the school started checking bags
(ID #213974) Posted on 2008/06/16 04:55
I know this is impractical, but this ridiculousness is enough to warrant it. Everyone should just stop shopping in Akihabara until the police agree to treat that earlier rampage for the isolated incident it was. If people stopping giving their money to the businesses in the area these Deputy Dawgs would fold like a paper crane. Not likely, though, I know.
(ID #213985) Posted on 2008/06/16 05:29
Upstair ...addicted to anything related to chibi
That seem too much but at least they try to preven that from happening any way...
(ID #213992) Posted on 2008/06/16 05:43
I carry a knife with me everywhere I go since you never know when you'll need one. My dad insists that I carry one since it comes in handy in car accidents when the seatbelt wont come undone. He constantly tells me the story on how a police officer couldn't pull a lady out of a burning car since he didn't have a knife to cut her free and my dad just happened to be driving by and was carrying a knife with him. The laws here in the US are the same as in Japan, you can carry a concealed knife as long as its not longer than 3 inches.
(ID #213993) Posted on 2008/06/16 05:43
nanu (Registered on 2007/12/28 22:28)
Just want to say that the law varies enough depending on the state.
(ID #214000) Posted on 2008/06/16 06:07
Because I'm an art student I've carried OLFA exactos which are illegal in some countries ^^;. I also sometimes carry scissors since they are useful to have. One time I brought a wooden sword home on transit, and this old woman was all hysterical "OMG THAT GIRL HAS A WEAPON" =_=. But I know a lot of people who carry weapons since their are some gangs in my neighbourhood as well as the notorious Hells Angels. My one friend even carries portable bear spray since she goes for runs early in the morning, and she is in kendo so she goes a lot of places including on transit carrying kendo sticks. But I can see why the police are a little worried since swiss army knives are very portable, and even though you wouldn't probably do much damage you could still hurt some one. But I can just imagine some couple buying new knives for their kitchen in Akiba and being sent the police station or something XD
(ID #213996) Posted on 2008/06/16 05:53
full time student, 60% of the time.
wow in fairness, this guy needs to cop on! Think to himself "maybe carrying around a knife in an area where there was a knifing spree might be a bad idea." He should have been arrested for being a moron.
(ID #214002) Posted on 2008/06/16 06:10
I have a tiny multi-tool because I do a lot of home visits to repair PC's, it has a one inch blade, both screwdriver bits, torch (for nosing around for those screws you always drop inside) and pliers. It wouldn't do much damage if I decided I really had to hurt someone with it (as if, I did ninjutsu for years), my bunch of keys would do more damage.
(ID #214004) Posted on 2008/06/16 06:33
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
Paranoia. We all have a good dose of it by now after terrorist attacks. But this actions isn't justifiable... Kinda like the Boston incident or Macbook Air = bomb.
(ID #214007) Posted on 2008/06/16 06:39
24/7 Otaku / 100% Haruhiist
Yeah, it's going to be in overkill mode for a while. It's to show everyone not to mess around. The cops want to put on a show to deter other people from even thinking of doing anything stupid.
(ID #214015) Posted on 2008/06/16 07:06
Government Agent
okay....i guess they're on "HIGH" alert but 18 cops against ONE guy with small pocket knife??? talk about bad resource management...
(ID #214016) Posted on 2008/06/16 07:08
oh my god...stupid cops,,, how can they think a killer use swiss knife for his omicede?? Tha killer maybe can screw the victim??
(ID #214020) Posted on 2008/06/16 07:11
That might be suspicious, but its still a bit too much for the cops to be over-dramatic about. Plus, you scared me with the title Danny...
(ID #214025) Posted on 2008/06/16 07:23
study
too many police leecher
(ID #214032) Posted on 2008/06/16 07:34
I'm a proud owner of a Gerber 3.75" and 4.25" combat folders (folding knives, dunno why they called it a "combat folder"), and I carry them with me regularly when I go out. I actually have another 3" throwing knife that comes with its own chain on the sheath and a set of two throwing dirks. Ironically, the dirks are quite sharp and since the blade is short, I use it when making model kits (good for trimming and smoothing rough parts). I grew up in not the best of neighborhoods so the paranoia of getting mugged, albeit not constant, is still present. Things such as the Akiba incident reinforce my belief that when shit hits the fan, you may be forced to defend yourself for a bit before the cops get there. In Maryland, there isn't a maximum limit on the length of a knife that a person can possess (over 1ft blade =/= knife), but if you are forced to use it, then it's up to the city to decide if it was reasonable. I worked as a door-to-door knife salesman for a while.
(ID #214047) Posted on 2008/06/16 08:50
well, here in the US you can carry guns if you have the right permits, so................. yeah, I think knives are fine.
(ID #214054) Posted on 2008/06/16 09:02
I used to carry a Swiss knife around. It's mainly useful to open up packages, especially prodcuts where they seal it so well that you have to use a knife to open it up. Before during work I also used it as a screw driver to open up computers. But recently I stopped carrying one, because I always forget to take it off when I goto an airport, court [for jurty duty], or some other places where weapons of any form aren't permitted.
(ID #214065) Posted on 2008/06/16 09:51
Wow!!!! Totally overkill please. Our law in Canada is, as long as the blade is not longer than your palm, from your pinky, to your index finger, it's legal to carry around =). It'll be hilarious to see what these japanese police officers find next, watch they catch a guy with a nail filler, and overkill him
(ID #214076) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:18
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
imagine how they'll react if it was a bowie knife . they'd probably call Ultraman or something. jeezus, 18 cops, such a fuss for a itty-bitty swiss knife...
(ID #214078) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:23
Well, I dun think a swiss knife is such a big deal, some people need to use them for their jobs and stuff, I still think he needs to be questioned but 18 officers surrounding this dude for a swiss knife is just ridiculous, what if some dude who is really carrying something dangerous is around and this morons are busy surrounding a person cuz of a swiss knife.
(ID #214082) Posted on 2008/06/16 10:30
Geez at the rate these guys are going, I wouldn't be surprised if they sent out a swat team for a guy with a broken bottle of beer...
(ID #214180) Posted on 2008/06/16 13:01
I carry a knife everywhere. It is a tool, and one that comes in handy on a daily basis. I cannot imagine experiencing this nonsense, and knowing that this actually happened makes me ashamed to be a human being.
(ID #214184) Posted on 2008/06/16 13:08
me i carry a knife on me all the time, never know when u might need it. plus i use it for work alot, good 4 a mechanic when needing to cut a hose, or open parts boxes.
(ID #214230) Posted on 2008/06/16 14:36
Online Shop
I don't think any of my friends carry around swiss knife. I guess Akihabara police are on high alert due to the incident from last week, scary +_+
(ID #214332) Posted on 2008/06/16 18:13
Personal Trooper (and erstwhile fanboy)
I always carry a knife kit around for those emergency situations where some breasts need filleting, or some ribs need carving. Used to carry a jack knife around when I used to to be more prodigious in my Arnis training in high school (heck my whole team did).
(ID #214375) Posted on 2008/06/16 21:00
student
I don't know anyone here who carries knives around. Even if they do, they wouldn't be telling others. It's good that the police are so cautious about it, even though it's legal it's a legal sized knife. Seriously though, I don't see any reason why people should be carrying any knives in the first place.
(ID #214382) Posted on 2008/06/16 21:11
IT engineer
I was there at the time when the man first got corner by police.. was around like 6-7 police there. Left right after that cos didnt want to be caught in the crowd (just in case any guy goes crazy)
(ID #214386) Posted on 2008/06/16 21:29
Personally, I wouldn't carry a knife - even if I own one - to a place where someone just knifed 7 people to death a few days ago and police presence is all over the place. But maybe it's just me.
(ID #214408) Posted on 2008/06/16 22:26
Zen in Zjhentohlauedy Home Planet. aka. somewhere in the Philippines (Registered on 2008/06/10 23:11)
Student of LIFE!
AKIHABARA PARANOIA INCIDENT a little boy with a pair of scissors mauled by 20 police officers.... :P
(ID #214430) Posted on 2008/06/16 23:03
I carry a small swiss knife in my keychain, and I think it's probably the most useful thing to carry in a pocket. I use it to open the package of toys I buy over lunchtime. I am not aware of any local legislation regarding this, but I guess anything under 10 cm is OK to carry around.
(ID #214451) Posted on 2008/06/16 23:36
Japanese police is a little exagerrated... what will happen if they find someone with a cosplay sword? Do they call the army?
(ID #214452) Posted on 2008/06/16 23:38
Was around akihabara a few days ago...before the incident...thank god didn't see anyone with knife...or insane drivers...
(ID #214483) Posted on 2008/06/17 00:26
wow that was utterly ridiculous. I mean, I carry around a swiss knife for the spoon and fork and the scissors....and...and for er...self defense. While i know a swiss knife can make you bleed and kill, such a practical item shouldn't be treated like it's death O_o;;;