crime

14-year-old girl slashed on face by man on street in Saitama

48 Comments

Police said Saturday they are looking for a man who reportedly slashed a 14-year-old girl on the face while she was walking home in Misato, Saitama Preceture, on Friday afternoon.

The incident took place at around 5:40 p.m., TV Asahi reported. Police received a call from a passerby just before 6 p.m., stating that a young girl was in trouble, bleeding from the face.

The victim told police that she and a girl friend had left school together. About 10 minutes after she and her friend parted, she told police that a man grabbed her from behind and cut her chin with a knife before fleeing, TV Asahi reported. Police said the girl told them she didn't know the man.

The girl was taken to hospital. Her chin had a cut five centimeters long, police said.

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48 Comments
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shat! i hope it doesn't leave a scar on her face U__U

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good on you ITS ME!! I am happy and proud that a citizen like you did the right thing and help catch a stupid shop lifter , bag thief?? If more regular citizens here would actually stand up and defend themselves against these idiot fool criminals, I think they would be more scared to try and steal from you and me.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Tamesu San..... Yes, that's mostly the case and what do you think is best. Catch the slasher, jailed him for a couple of months and since Japanese Laws are very lenient, he will be out sooner than we thought. That is if he get caught since there were no witness. I still advice 24/7 by the hour foot and car police patrol and not just staying inside their "koban" and wait for calls.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Took a bag-thief down yesterday.

He grabbed a bag from a bicycle front-basket and ran towards me, he got clothes-lined by my out-stretched arm. Got arrested soon after and I spent time(hrs) at the local koban filling forms.

As the economy declines crime tends to increase, Shop-lifting is up, etc. Interesting thing is most of the increases in small crimes(shop-lifting, etc) don't come form the poor but the more affluent. As people try to preserve a life-style they no longer can afford.

As for MA, MA is MA. Self Defence is a whole different subject and NOT related to MA(Warrior Arts). People tend to mix those up.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I hope I did not offend you all living in Saitama, that is not my intention, just pointing out places like Kawaguchi, full of brothels for Tokyo and Saitama or say Kawasaki in Kanagawa another dump whore house for both Kanagawa and Tokyo, well attract certain elements of society and we should avoid them if we want to stay out of trouble.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Several years ago I read of a Saitama slashing perpetrated by a guy riding by a girl on his bicycle. I wonder if this is the same psychopath. Being on foot would he not be noticed by others in the neighborhood? Was he confident of not appearing to be a perp? Did he quickly hightail it to jump on his bicycle or in a car?

As a psychopath one wonders if he would do something like write a letter to a newspaper or on-line news source decrying such a despicable act.

I find aloe vera to be great for cuts. That and vitamin E oil are good for reducing scarring. But then, chin scarring never kept Harrison Ford down (whoever he might be). I hope the girl suffers little permanent damage.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Those who think it's the girls fault for not being careful enough, now that is coming from people who know very very little about real life and street crooks and psychos. She was taken by surprise as the attacker carefully approached from her back and then slashed her. Even if you were the top martial artist of every known martial art there is a chance that if someone wants to hurt you for NO REASON (so you're unaware of the threat) they will be able to sneak up on you from your back and give you a quick slash or stab wound into your kidney.... Imagine walking on one of the crowded shibuya streets, will you turn around every 2 seconds to check who is behind your back? Of course, if she was a female ninja with a sensitive 6th sense then she'd be all fine lol...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Not all of Saitama is that bad, but places like Kawaguchi, with all the whore houses etc..and so near to Tokyo, well they attract a certain element, both scummy men and scummy women and we should not be surprised what scummy people do right?? I do hope this young lady gets better soon and that the idiot criminal gets arrested ASAP!!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

On the crime column, Saitama seems to be repeatedly mentioned. Analyses / speculations on the individual criminals' motives were often raised, this prefecture will need to sharpen investigations on the social aspects ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ landshark "How do you account for this disparity?" Excellent question...this site is highly moderated...if you say anything that appears to harp on J-land it gets clipped or clamped...and you also have those who vote down anything they deem as a harp..that's why we need more "outside eyes to free up the truth" ....pass the word so the big medias will take a look....or maybe an alternative site will develop.... many thanks!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

if he had perhaps touched her knee as well?

Scratch that. If he had only touched her knee, the outrage would have been massive and every third poster would have used the word sick in between lots of other epithets and suggestions of extreme punishment. And yeah, I would be urging everyone to calm down.

Am I the only one who would like to rearrange this guy's face with a golf club? How do you account for this disparity?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Here is were one can rightly use the word sick, yet I don't see anyone using it. This is sick. Extremely so, and is indicative of mental problems. I guess we would have got a cascade of use of the word sick if he had perhaps touched her knee as well?

Also, here is where you can say we have a crime that is practically unique to Japan, the slash a teen girl and run trick. Yet, no harping on Japan, or armchair analysis of why it happens here so disproportionately.

Instead, we get a lot of blather about MA, as if it makes you grow eyes in the back of your head and as if any serious MA practitioner will recommend taking on a blade weilding attacker bare handed as opposed to just running like a bat out of hell, as your track coach taught you.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Readers, we have already ruled that martial arts are not relevant to this discussion.

Thank god this young girl only was cut on her chin and hopefully it will heal soon.

but seriously, being aware of your own environment, having a few street smarts, you do not need to be Bruce Lee, Jacki Chan etc..to hone in on your 6th senses telling you ok that dude or group of dudes coming your way may try to hit you etc..and if you can defend yourself like Bruce Lee cool if not, well run like hell, fight or flight instincts, right??

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

What happened to this little lady is tragic. I have two little girls myself, and it almost brings me to tears. There are 3 very good schools that I have tried for knife self-defense in Tokyo. One is in Ikeburo, http://www.combat-sports-center.com/english/index.html, and one in Omotesando or Ichigaya. http://www.kravmaga.co.jp/english/. Only yesterday there was a knife defense seminar. Good luck and be safe.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@bajhista65 "To avoid this kind of incident, I think it's time for police to patrol regularly around the clock 24/7 by foot and cars, instead of just staying inside their police boxes (koban) reading newspapers, napping, and sipping their coffee."

Many people have said this a thousand times...but the keystones continue to usually come afterwards- which has also been noted a thousand times....

1 ( +2 / -1 )

That is sooooo wrong. I have stayed in the Saitama area many many times. I must say though, seeing teenage school girls walking alone, even at 10pm on a freaking school night, is a common occurrence. This guy must be like one of the crazies in the Japanese films. My god, I hope somebody gets rid of this guy. He's probably done this before and will strike again, I someone stabs him with his own knife. What will this guy do next, start cutting teenage girl's hair?!?!?!?!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There are sooooo many Japanese weirdos. To avoid this kind of incident, I think it's time for police to patrol regularly around the clock 24/7 by foot and cars, instead of just staying inside their police boxes (koban) reading newspapers, napping, and sipping their coffee.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Japan is still safer than most countries. This is a bad case, no doubt though.

People need to be more aware of their surroundings.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Charles M BurnsNov. "Wish I was there, I'm sure the attacker would have accidentally fallen on his knife.." interesting point....but you have not learned from the many post how the "keystones" handle such things...but keep reading and pass the word on what you find in the threads.....many thanks

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Is the girl cute? Scarring a cute girl's pretty face is nigh unforgivable!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Guns should be allowed in Japan to defend against knife attacks

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Oh, my God, another terrible incident in Saitama. I hope that the girl will recover both physically and mentally. I can't believe that world is full with these lunatics. It's such a shame and i hope the culprit will get arrested soon.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Disillusioned.

Funny, I trained only for 6mnths in Karate(US generic term for anything sort-off MA) and I still say her situational awareness failed her and it don't take MA training to have that one just a bit of thought and awareness.

If you ain't street-wise you are prey. Most people can manage that one across the world. ;) Those are the facts.

-2 ( +3 / -4 )

All readers back on topic please. This story is not about martial arts.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Haven't had one of these for a while. There was a spate of them a few years ago. Hope they catch this nut before he does it again. Hope the girl is ok.

All the karate nuts should stop eating so much beef! This nut came up from behind a 15y/o girl and slashed her face. These kinds of nuts only pick on the defenseless, so your point is invalid.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Ahh, Saitama strikes again!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Me too Charles. Would have been a tragic mistake on my part.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tragec situation. Not sure if it said the child took any sort of lessons of protection. I have been a shotokan sensei for about 10 years now and sometimes no matter how prepared you may think you are it can still happen to anyone. As someone mentioned earlier please be aware of your surroundings ladies. I know it may be hard with the day to day things happening but this is truly a good first defense to keeping yourself safe. Unfortunately this type of thing is happening everywhere in the world day and night. So be safe everyone.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

WilliB: I don't think you really understand how powerful MA can be. Agree with It'sMe on everything there. I did karate for years but that was just for the masses. The real techniques for attacking are kept secret. I was fortunate to learn them from an ex-special force guy and you can master those very quickly without even knowing any MA.

1 ( +1 / -1 )

Wish I was there, I'm sure the attacker would have accidentally fallen on his knife...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

WilliB.

Here is where we diverge.

I have students that successfully defended themselves after one lesson(2hrs).

MA don't need to take years to be effective, all the repeats, etc are for body conditioning more than anything as are the forms/kata. Most MA were used to train soldiers, caravan guards, etc and they needed to apply the skills soon, they didn't have years/decades to perfect their techniques.

Many of the self-defense courses don't take the local law into consideration and what you can do legally to defend yourself. Hence they do often teach excessive defences/techniques = problem And there is the downfall and legal problems.

Most modern sports MA now rely too much Kyu/Dan ranks and that slows things down and changes the focus.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This was a random act of violence against a vulnerable member of society. I would like to see the outcome if the perp tackled someone his own age/gender or a 'big' guy. Sometimes, no amount of training can prepare you for this kind of attack. Stealing up on a child from behind with a knife. Hefty sentences need to be handed down to folk caught committing this kind of crime.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

ItS ME:

" Many of those self-defence courses can land you in jail and ending up paying the bill for the attacker, etc. "

I don´t see how a self-defense course in itself can do any such thing. If you punch and injure someone, sure. But you don´t need a self-defense course for that.

Apart from that, I don´t see how you can learn anything useful in limited "course". I am doint MA myself, and I have yet to see any miracle technique that you can simply "learn" once and then use it. In reality it is all about repetition and getting reflexes into your body. The longer you train, the more meaningful. Simply taking a short "course" in anything is a waste of time, imho.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Forgot to add.

Many of those self-defence courses can land you in jail and ending up paying the bill for the attacker, etc.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

bonword.

Try one of those self-defense courses yourself and use the training before recommending them. ;)

Best defence is still being aware of potential trouble spots and being aware of your surroundings and keeping an escape route open.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I am in shock...for once I actually have to say that Elbuda Mexicano has a relevant post. Right on the mark about the self defense courses. There is also Judo and Aikido (now being promoted strongly for women) as self-defence.

Hope they catch this sick person soon. He is obviously in need of treatment.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@It"s ME ahh that's sad to hear, it would be nice if they posted a sort of mug shot of the perpetrator. Maybe then people would think twice about doing things like this because of the shame it would bring them. If people knew who the perpetrators were, they would be looked down upon & disliked by everyone else, which is sometimes a worse punishment than going to jail.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

J people walk the streets with no regards to their surroundings. Im a big guy. I hear footsteps behind me, i dont like it, i need to see if whoever is behind me is a threat and at the same time let them pass me. Mind u this is at night. In her case, there was little she could have done. But please j people, look left and right before crossing. Watch out for others stupidity. Try to be more cautious always! Nothing wrong with being alert in dangerous or suspecious situations. Dont give people the benefit of the dought. If your spider senses start tingling, dont ignore them.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

@ FlawlezNov. "I don't live in Japan, so excuse me if this is a stupid question, but why don't they ever put pictures with their news stories? Or a video maybe? Is there some kind of law against it or rights violations maybe?" you have definitely noticed something worthwhile....keep noticing it and you will see why...

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I hope her injury is not permanent, physically or mentally.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Sazirosa:

" Why there are so few places where women can actually learn self defence techniques? "

Actually, there are plenty of such courses. But you shouldn´t expect miracles from them. And even if you are are martial arts expert, I doubt you are safe from a surprise attack by a nutcase with a knife.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I don't live in Japan, so excuse me if this is a stupid question, but why don't they ever put pictures with their news stories? Or a video maybe? Is there some kind of law against it or rights violations maybe?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Another nutter. At least he didn't stab her in the eye, lol.

-13 ( +2 / -14 )

Got to agree with Elbuda sort-off.

Most schools here have MA classes as they are also readily available outside, but as an experienced MA/Instructor I also question how much of "that" training will protect anyone in a real confrontation. I get many students from so called "Dojo's", few remain longer than 3 months.

Truly doubt that MA would have helped her or similar cases unless she studied under an Instructor that was reality(not competition, sports, etc) orientated.

Hope she gets better soon, my door is open for her. I only take private students.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sasoriza do you live in Japan?? My guess you do not because self defense?? Karate?? Etc.. are taught all over Japan! I would not like to rumble with an angry girl who can do karate!! Ps I do hope this nut case is arrested ASAP!!

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Here we go again...This happens so often here that it isn't news anymore!

I have two questions to the Japanese authorities: Why aren't people allowed to carry spray for self defence (registered , if necessary)? Why there are so few places where women can actually learn self defence techniques?

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

What is wrong with these men? From a very early age they need to be identified, treated or kept away from the wider society. Bring your children into the world and grow them as human beings, not animals.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

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