Japan and Knives

A man walked into a convenience store and pulled out a knife on two female shop attendants - "give us the cash!"
One of the shop assistants aged 51 pulled out a kitchen knife, held it up to the assailant and said...
"Society is rotten because of fiends like you!"
The man then decided to make a run for it empty handed.
While some regions have societies of guns, Japan is definitely a knife society.
News via Spoonichi. I didn't have a pic of a 51 year old woman with a kitchen knife so here is the next best I could do - school girl in pool of blood with knife from Neta.
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Freelance Digital Production Artist
http://www.flickr.com/photos/victor_lee/sets/
Are knife related crimes on the rise in Japan? There seems to be a lot of it going on of late.
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Something to do with Nice Boat?
911 Emergency Services
Although terrible to have happen... on the bright side at least its mainly just knife crimes and not gun related. Here in US, at least where I work, a lot of crimes are done via guns, sometimes will be a knife involved and very rarely will it be only fists.
Lurker, and part time super-villian.
http://burfordus.wordpress.com
Britain has just had a week of bringing our 'knife epidemic' into the public eye. I wish it was only us, but alas it seems to have spread.
Btw, no-one bothers to stand up for themselves around here, so kudos to the 51 year old!
creative technical professional
http://hugenjikko.com
Sounds about right to me, if you stand up for someone here and get out of your depth... Mind you it was probably the last thing that the assailant expected.. An ex of mine was a victim of knife crime and I stood by her through it all but it truly tore her life apart. She has physical scars today and should have died really.
With that said I am so glad we don't have the widespread use of guns that other parts of the world have, I was going to say I feel sorry for people where gun crime is on the rise, but if people are allowed to bear arms and have access to gun shops I guess it is bound to happen, the likely hood of the police shooting you also probably weighs heavily on the prospective criminals mind too..
Student
Wow, my respects to the lady. What was she thinking to keep a knife under the counter 0_0
流浪人
They don't have guns...so you keep the next best, legal thing you can have to defend yourself...^^
Civil Student
knife are awesome at court !
they are *tools* edged tools
almost impossible to get a first degree murder conviction with knifes Xp
*well i was making a sandwich... with a 12" cleaver... when he walked past me and fell on the blade : D *
i mean.. when was the last time you heard someone say " I was making dinner with my glock... "
Impoverished College Student
http://shikashi.wordpress.com
Come to think of it that makes sense! Wow, learned something new today. *cue "The More You Know rainbow*
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
LOL we need more of those shop assistants to protect us!
Photographer/Night Auditor
http://hillbillyotaku.blogspot.com/
Good for her. Since cops can't be around every corner it's up to you to protect yourself and your family. The other week a drunk driver chased some people down and was waving a gun around threatening people but was taken into custody by another armed civilian. Not a shot was fired either. I carry a knife but don't think I'd use it to defend myself with it unless it was an absolute last option, that being said I wouldn't hesitate for a second to mace the crap out of someone if I or someone else was threatened.
University Student
http://plurk.com/Fuyumachi/invite
Knife crime are better IMO.. At least they harm less..
And good way of self-defense, shop assistant oba-san :D
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
http://sukidesho.blogspot.com/
**thumbs up to shop assistant oba-san**
^-^ Self-defense is important
No stories about knives please. I always remember the episode from GITS:SAC when a man skinned girls...
Student/Freelance Programmer
Not trying to make it sound less serious than it really is but... at least he's using a knife to rob people and not just going around killing innocent bystanders just for the hell of it.
Here we have kids stabbing other kids just because they gave the a "dirty look".
Lurker, and part time super-villian.
http://burfordus.wordpress.com
Yeah we get that in Devon too. It's an "All about respect wiv my mates, so I gotta carry a knife to look cool, innit!" ideology.
creative technical professional
http://hugenjikko.com
My brother bought a place in London at Xmas and says he has had to get used to a teenager getting killed on average every two weeks. I'm glad I'm not in my teens as it sounds like it is mainly that age group and gang related.
student / NEET
dies on average of every 2 week?
how much kid did the london-ess make anyway?
seriously tho, child dying = waste of good amount of money and irreplaceable property of the family
Ship welder, IT Guy, Rotary Fanatic
sometimes people over here get shot from giving that "dirty look"......nut ass gansta wannabes.
Kudos to the 51 year oldwomen though.
Seriously, if more people were like thatlady, the world would be a better place....in some areas anyways. Sometimes having police there isnt enough, you also need civillian policing, though none of that vigilanty stuff, that just hurts it sometimes.
Popular Culture Vulture
Knives? Remember the immortal words of the Joker?
大学生
http://justaskeikaku.net23.net
thats not a very scary yandere picture
Remote Support Engineer
http://jedling.wordpress.com
Thankfully I never need to go outside since Danny gives me all the relivant news.
p.s. I am now going though the Neta archives.
Dog of the Country
@I didn't have a pic of a 51 year old woman with a kitchen knife so here is the next best I could do --> You could replace it with this now:
http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/jyouhou83/imgs/4/4/44b8e6da.jpg
Student and full-time otaku
Lol! Do not mess with the elderly.
Rogu!!
You call that a knife, THIS IS A KNIFE.
That's a spoon.
Industrial designer
http://www.designplus.com.mx
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's a good one!
Student
http://animestuff.wordpress.com/
Now that's what I call a man with guts and honor something that societies of today are forgetting, of course you can only fight back "IF" you can fight back
Student and full-time otaku
You go granny! But still, really sad to see these incidents on the rise
I don't carry a knife on me, or any kind of lethal weapon for that matter. The only form of self defense I have is pepper spray and a stun gun. just the stuff needed to get away fast
oh and some self defense courses. not Karate but self defense moves like the ear slam, the throat chop, and the ever useful nut kicker. it hurts even if they're a girl from what I heard if you kick hard enough.
There's no honor in self defense! fight as dirty as you want just get away
student / NEET
use a pen, stab it to the artery
its lethal (never try it, but i will if i have too)
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
shop assistant wins ^^
same here i dont carry a knife but i do cary a swiss-army thingy all the time.
Guess that may count as carrying one.
aspiring to become a doujin and graphics artist cum lawyer
http://aki7.bottled-wish.info
but purpose is different. I carry one too...the one with spoon and fork LOL. But it's also for self defense...
not for killing >.>;
Network Admin
I think it is kinda funny that he ran away after the store clerk pulled a knife as well. Though knives can be just as deadly as a gun so I'm not sure that it is better that he pulled a knife or not.
you wonder why there's no food
http://shikomizue.deviantart.com/
there arent many armed roberies here. normally people use their fist to bash others XD
not sure whether thats good or not.... but beats getting attacked by a knife or gun
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
It's official, Japanese have higher Melee Stats.... Hmmm...
Agent of Insurance
This is why I have a S&W 637 Airweight with Crimson Trace laser grips in my desk drawer. Not my gun but a pic of one identical to it.
http://flickr.com/photos/confederateyankee/2536144504/
Civil Student
stub nose 38 special? why not a 8" 629? use it as a hammer you know?
you'd still be charged with * assault with a pistol*
Agent of Insurance
That's what a little thing we like to call a throw away gun is for...Along with castle domain. Which states that anyone that comes into your work place and attempts to rob it can be shot on site!
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
god bless America
Agent of Insurance
Ya know I always thought it was called a stub nose as well until I bought one and found out it's snub nose.
Policy & Research Officer
http://www.alafista.com/
You missed out the fact that the lady went on to hit the robber with the back of the knife and chased him out the shop. LOL
http://www.alafista.com/2008/08/28/robber-flees-store-after-female-employee-beats-him/
Student
http://www.desangel.blogspot.com
that oba-san must be saluted....^.^
Student
In my country, it's only guns.
Never see a hold up with knifes (very rare).
University Student
If you read what is going on in here, you would freak out. The most astonishing one was a assault on a value truck(this ones collect the money on big enterprises) with military equipment, they even used C4 and heavy artillery. Seems that knives are quit useless in here.
Civil Student
wasn't there this thing in tw
something along the line of " suspects were equipped with military grade flame throwers.... "
occuwhat?
Oh come on, it was one assault with military grade equipment.
As for the others, crime has always happened, and always will. The media just can't keep quiet.
Graphic Designer
We're definitely a gun society around here. I hear about shooting deaths pretty much every day on the news here. It's disgusting. When you think about yourself shooting a person over something as petty as someone's wallet, it really puts it into perspective just how utterly insane that is.
aspiring to become a doujin and graphics artist cum lawyer
http://aki7.bottled-wish.info
guns should be removed from people with malice. I live in an exclusive village where power climbing is apparent because of social class. Got guns, you're king. Load it up with money, you're literally emperor.
Some inventions were not meant to be. However, it seems japanese do prefer a knife..is this culturally and historically connected or simply because it's the easiest to carry?
A Real RocknRolla
well getting a gun in japan legally is next to impossible. they have laws there that prevent you to have one. even for a air-rifle you need special permission. to get a gun you need to find some one who sells them illegally. also they are expensive as hell. there are hundred problems to go through to get a gun in Japan so knifes are the next best thing. easy to get, easy to hide. so yeah its basically for the simple reasons.
SUPER OTAKU, manga-ka, Illustrator, Domon Kasshu fanboy, Konata's male half, Megas XLR fanboy
Pretty odd situation, nice choice of pictures, Danny
student / NEET
what series is that?(the picture)
that shop assistant is just awesome, way to point the knife^^
anyway, we don't use knife here in indonesia
we use axe, parang, and machete(golok in indonesia)
The Sword of Magus
http://daichouginga.blogspot.com/
Kudos for the elderly, they still know the morals of the society. Though rising numbers of knife attacks/threats in Japan makes us sad, still if we look at the bright side we can assume that the Japanese government still has the control of the illegal arms traffic within their country thus making guns inaccesible to common folks.
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
Haha, that will teach the bugger to... well, bugger off. I bet he wasn't expecting that.
Video Reviewer of Anime Figures, Mecha and Merch (youtube.com/user/Actar576295)
http://actar.wordpress.com
Nippon and Katanas (well, shorter versions in this case) always go together. :)
HS Student
wow. she really said that? that's pretty awesome just like a hero from a comic book. i hope i could be like that when I'm old. then I'd make cool phrases to say.
College Student
http://nategreene.wordpress.com/
Given the choice between guns or knives, I always prefer a bladed weopon.
Student
Unbelievable:P
International Business College Student
Wow, that is really freaky. o.0
Working Otaku mom
http://riianadoon.blogspot.com
Yes, guns are pretty popular here, but I think knife crimes are also becoming more popular lately...
Student
the 51 year old woman pawnes!~!
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
cute but scary school girl O_o;
m
The old lady rocks... good for her. Too bad she didn't slice him up.
NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
http://otterhangar.blogspot.com/
Recently in a city called Oakland (go google it), there have been idiots teen doing armed robbery at restaurants, taking cash from the register and the patrons. If I had it my way, these stupid teens would be shot on site.
In San Francisco, there have been strong-arm robberies (where you rob someone with excessive force, like punching the person, or throwing them down), against the elderly. Yes, I do have times when I think the elderly population are stuck up, and high and mighty, but common...
I really do think that the local teen population has either turned emo or thug.
Radical Dreamer
Agreed. Being a resident of the bay area, I can vouch for that. Kids these days aren't getting beat enough by their parents, that's why they're all screwed up.
Student/Part-timer
We don't get many gun robberies around here, but I guess it's because guns aren't as readily available as knives. You can just go out and buy a kitchen knife and it'll work just fine for anything you want to use it for. A knife can be as lethal and threatening as a gun in certain situations, I guess only when the "knife-wielder" is within "stabbing-range" of the target.
Student & Authorized Chicken Slapper
http://www.otakuinternational.com
Man I am hearing a lot of japanese related Stabbing and knife what not news lately.
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
good for the old lady i say; she stood up and defended herself. that crook will have to rethink his strategies if he ever goes robbing again. *"old ladies are dangerous"
Student, I hate school. FML
dude~ my mom kitchen knife is huge that scared the hell out of me... I never want to bother her when shes busy...
大学一年生
http://jp.youtube.com/user/aznfatalflip
well it's practically impossible to own a gun in Japan, so the weapon of choice is clearly a blade I.E. knives. So im not surprised
Engineering research
http://kikenshisou.wordpress.com
Err, I hope peeps here are not inspired by the news to hold weapons for self-defense. Sure I admire the obachan bravery but remember things can turn out very differently. A criminal confronting a victim that is armed can turn even more violent, desperation drives pple mad. So stay safe, try not to provoke the assailant or you might regret it. -_-"
Radical Dreamer
Keep in mind that the person confronting you is aware he's committing a crime. It's a pretty good chance, they may not leave you without a scratch or else risk having the police be able to identify them easier.
You're right that it may provoke them to do more harmful things to you, espsially if they're physically superior to you. It really depends on the situation.
There's alternatives to self-defense weapons, such as tasers and pepper sprays, which are quite effective and non-lethal. However, results may vary if the criminal is on drugs.
The best method to get out of harm's way is just to run, if it's practical to do so. Otherwise, eyes, neck, balls.
Student
eh i guess knife violence is better then gun violence... at least theres not as many "accidental" killings
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
I feel a bit bad for laughing out loud after reading that. I've always said to my friends that there's nothing more scary than a little Asian lady with a cleaver. ><
Compounder
Perhaps this is some indirect way of using swords again. Maybe this is proof that they never really left, they only got smaller.
E^D
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
http://gndynames.wordpress.com
Maybe you run faster with a knife? Just a thought o.o
Uni Student
http://animecore.org/forum/
is there going to be a knife ban soon in japan then?? xD
here... its usually random gun hold up or knife... more so car and drunk ppl driving cars into shops :S
Student/Daemonhunter
I personally believe a knife society is safer. Guns have a MUCH longer reach, and that's just scary. lol
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
It seems like the assailant only had the knife for show. He probably didn't have any intention to use it, considering he ran from a 51-year old woman who put a little resistance.
???Confused???
Not bad for a 51 year old. There's a lot of stories like that here and sometimes a shoot out occurs...
Web Designer
http://eropanda.aoindonesia.net
If katana is not forbidden in public, i think they will use katana instead.
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
LOL if that 51 year old try and pull the same act here, he would have been shot without hesitation by the police! XD
It's times like this that you wish you had something to protect yourself... like a gun!
Student
http://kankeishorui.wordpress.com
As far as I know, guns are banned from Japan, so the tendency of bringing knife is for self-defense. That 51-y/o woman is courageous, I hope all citizens are like that.
U.S. Army Officer
http://www.forum.the554.com
Three letters, CCW--Carry, Conceal Weapon--is a permit easily obtainable in most of the US. Learn how to properly use, respect and maintain a firearm is the best last line of defense. Best case, you will never have to draw down on anyone; however, should the need arise, you can fend for yourself.
Student
we need more swords!
Student and Writer
I'd totally defend my counter with a set of sai.
About that......
the only thing which keeps me safe is my steering wheel lock.
if i feel unsafe, its always next to my car seat near the door.
last time i nearly got mugged and raising my right arm low to where the steering wheel lock was since he asked for money, i got hold of it, opened the door violently and gave him a good hit on the head. needless to say he ran while i stood there thinking how desperate people are these days.
and im not fit enough to chase the guy, even if i was it be too much effort
Limousine Driver
Pull a knife here in Philadelphia and you might get laughed at. Japan has always been a bladed weapons society. The Japanese even raised it to an art form!