crime

Japanese citizen injured in Paris acid attack

54 Comments
By Ingrid Tsai, SoraNews24

A group of Japanese citizens were walking through Paris’s residential 17th district on Feb 10 when an acid attack happened. A trio of hooded individuals approached the group, and one of the hooded individuals brandished a bottle, spraying its contents toward the Japanese. The three then promptly fled the scene.

Though two of the Japanese were not physically harmed, one sustained burn injuries to the hands and was immediately rushed to a local doctor for treatment. There is currently no information on the assailants, and lack of camera footage has impeded the determination of a potential suspect.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since posted a notice on their Overseas Safety website and emailed Japanese nationals currently residing in France about the incident, providing details and warning individuals to be cautious of their surroundings.

As the victim has decided not to file a complaint, and in France a police investigation cannot begin until a formal complaint has been filed, it is uncertain whether or not more details about the acid attack will come to light.

While the situation renders factors such as the perpetrator’s motive unknown, it is still important to take a step back and acknowledge this incident within an international context.

According to nonprofit organization Human Rights Watch, crimes against individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have increased in countries with a large Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora population.

For example, in the United States, the collective Stop AAPI Hate has recorded more than 2,800 incidents which happened in 2020 alone. Though each case has its own particular circumstances, many of these reported attacks have been spurred by COVID-19-related fear, the perpetrators maliciously associating individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent with COVID-19.

On a more positive note, netizens have come together on social media platforms to deliver messages of support for the Japanese citizen injured in the acid attack, and for France’s Japanese community:

"Even though the victim decided not to press charges, we need to emphasize that this isn’t some small issue!"

"Everyone please stay safe."

"Praying for a speedy recovery."

"Share and spread the word so more Japanese news sites pick up on it! This is really important to talk about."

"Especially in these unprecedented, strange times we inhabit now, solidarity and acts of compassion are more important than ever."

References: Human Rights WatchStop AAPI Hate 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety via Yahoo! Japan

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Japanese musician violently attacked in New York for being “Chinese”

-- Kyoto Animation arson attack leads Japanese government to develop stricter gas sale regulations

-- X Japan’s Yoshiki apologizes for donating “only” 10 million yen after hometown is hit by typhoon

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

54 Comments
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I hope the injuries are not serious.

While the situation renders factors such as the perpetrator’s motive unknown, it is still important to take a step back and acknowledge this incident within an international context.

This sounds more like an opinion piece than a news article. Strange!!!

18 ( +18 / -0 )

Paris is a large city with its fair share of crime.

Without knowing more details ie no arrests have been made, then the reason for the crime is just mere speculation.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

I got accidentally mazed in face the once in Paris. Just wrong place at the wrong time.

agree with @ulysses. If the intent of this article is about Japanese being mistakenly targeted as Chinese after Trumps fascist comments, or to try to scare Japanese from traveling overseas, the article could of been better written.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Unsure if it is related to the recent attacks to asians due to Covid-19.

However it is time to create more awareness around this issue.

The media should pick up more on these attacks now so asians are safer to travel to these places once borders reopen.

Unacceptable these racism actions in the 21 century.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Sounds like these Japanese citizens were targeted in a racist attack. Recently in Paris, a Japanese owned restaurant was smashed up in a targeted attack.

Absolutely despicable racism. The French government must throw the book at low-life scum who do this.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

An acid attack is a serious crime and French police won’t let it go.

I believe it was an attack as often there is in Paris.

However, the victim, a minor, did not go herself to the police station to file a complain, only her parents went, Camera footage were checked but none of the footage could confirm what the victim reported.

There is no confirmation acid was involved which could be easily verified.

Japanese Embassy did warn only based on a report of its own citizen

5 ( +7 / -2 )

While the situation renders factors such as the perpetrator’s motive unknown, it is still important to take a step back and acknowledge this incident within an international context.

Translation: We have no idea what the motive was or who the attackers were, but before anybody comes up with evidence to the contrary, we would like to twist this into a tale of racist discrimination. Which, coincidentally, is what our organization is built to focus on. By the time the facts come out, the crime will be forgotten, but the vague memory of an "anti-Asian attack" will linger in the subconscious and bring support to our cause.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

"There is no confirmation acid was involved which could be easily verified."

" one sustained burn injuries to the hands and was immediately rushed to a local doctor for treatment."

It must have been Channel N.:5.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Of course it were some local idiots targeting Chinese tourists. For them all Asian-looking people are Chinese. Good to learn that police in France don’t investigate if there is no complaint though. Does it mean they don’t investigate murders since it’s hard to file a complaint after being killed?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

we would like to twist this into a tale of racist discrimination. Which, coincidentally, is what our organization is built to focus on. By the time the facts come out, the crime will be forgotten, but the vague memory of an "anti-Asian attack" will linger in the subconscious and bring support to our cause.

Very odd take on this attack.

It should be everyone's cause to prevent and react to anti-Asian violence and racism. One has to be deliberately ignoring what's going on in the world to actively dismiss racism as a cause. As the article says:

While the situation renders factors such as the perpetrator’s motive unknown, it is still important to take a step back and acknowledge this incident within an international context.

According to nonprofit organization Human Rights Watch, crimes against individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have increased in countries with a large Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora population.

And another good article here complete with some historical context

https://time.com/5938482/asian-american-attacks/

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

What didou wrote is correct. The mayor of the 17th arrondissement of Paris (where the attack apparently happened on the 10th) released the following information on twitter on the 15th.

Précision La victime n'a pas voulu déposer plainte et souffrirait de blessures légères: il n'est nullement confirmé à ce stade que l'agression implique de l'acide, ni qu'elle ait un caractère anti-asiatique. La ⁦@prefpolice⁩ poursuit ses recherches.

J’ai demandé au commissariat @prefpolice de poursuivre les investigations sur ce fait divers qui n’a pas toujours fait l’objet de plainte. Les vérifications réalisées via les caméras ne permettent pas de confirmer l'agression dénoncée aux horaires et lieux indiqués.

The first part says that the victim did not want to file a complaint and it has not yet been confirmed if the attack involved acid or if it was of anti-Asian nature. Far more interesting is the second part though. He asks the police to continue the investigation but also states that after checking the camera footage they are not able to confirm that the attack happened at the time and location indicated.

What I got from another French news site is that the attack apparently happened near a tramway station so that explains why there were cameras around. The acid was supposedly hydrochloric acid. But now it remains to be seen what further investigations actually reveal.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The great irony is that France is a place of Liberté, égalité, fraternité... and Globalism, all right?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The victim should go to the police. These crimes need to be recorded and investigated. Do they think this will be a one off.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What were they doing there in the middle of a pandemic?

I assume they live there.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

One has to be deliberately ignoring what's going on in the world to actively dismiss racism as a cause.

Of course. Which is why I didn't dismiss it as a cause. Dismissing it as a cause is almost as bad as suggesting it as a cause with zero evidence, as this article did.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

There is currently no information on the assailants....

Why not? There were at least three witnesses, according to the story.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What on earth has gotten into Frenchmen? Paris used to be such a beautiful, quaint city with unbelievable ambiance, joie de vivre and safety.

Now I understand there are areas where you simply dare not venture at any time of day.

What has gotten into the French??

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Goodlucktoyou

If the intent of this article is about Japanese being mistakenly targeted as Chinese after Trumps fascist comments

We do not know what the intent was (it might have been just random violence or religious motivated), and can we finally stop bringing Trump into everything? Fwiw, he did not make any "fascist comments", so lets do without hallucinating.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Translation: We have no idea what the motive was or who the attackers were, but before anybody comes up with evidence to the contrary, we would like to twist this into a tale of racist discrimination

Right a group of Asians randomly attacked no robbery but it could have been something else but Racist.

I wonder how many trying to divert from the obvious were the same people promoting this racist problem by repeating Qrump's "China virus" chant?

L,A, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, London, Paris, Berlin, etc..

All reporting high numbers of random attacks on Asians elderly Thai man beaten to death in San Francisco by a man accusing calling him Chinese and saying he spread the virus, woman attack loses he finger same thing.

Go ahead try and pretend this has nothing to do with racism now think are you so sure you would let your Japanese wives and girlfriends or daughters walk around in these countries at this time?

If you say yes then you are either not being truthful orbin deeper denial than you think.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

bob

What on earth has gotten into Frenchmen?

We do not know if the attackers were "Frenchmen".

5 ( +9 / -4 )

What on earth has gotten into Frenchmen?

This is news here now because the victims are Japanese.

This has been happening all over North America and Europe.

Thai man killed in San Francisco accused of being Chinese, man in UK finger cut off accused of spreading virus, woman in Queens New York has her finger nearly severed accused of being Chinese and spreading the virus and the list goes on and on.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

What were they doing there in the middle of a pandemic?

Perhaps the same thing we are doing here in Japan, living here!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Acid attacks seem to be the modus operandi of communities rather than an established Gallic tradition.

Oh nice try to shift the blame to the other Boogeyman.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

We do not know if the attackers were "Frenchmen".

WilliB - I think common sense tells us that they were indeed Frenchmen as its highly unlikely tourists would travel all the way to France to carry out an acid attack on random tourists.

I just can't comprehend what has happened to the once so charming people in the once dazzling City of Lights with fantastic cafés, helpful Gendarmes and bohemian artists plying their trade along the banks of the Seine in the spirit of Renoir, Raguenet and Jongkind.

WHAT has happened??

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Hope this finally change Japanese opinion towards Paris being a "romantic" city for good.

In reality it has been an absolute filth pool.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

In reality it has been an absolute filth pool.

Well if jt reported all the recent attacks on Asians going on in the USA, Canada, Germany, UK, etc.. then I guess that would apply to all of these places.

We are only hearing about this one because the victims are Japanese.

This has been going on for several months now all over western countries.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

bobToday  07:29 pm JST

I just can't comprehend what has happened to the once so charming people in the once dazzling City of Lights with fantastic cafés, helpful Gendarmes and bohemian artists plying their trade along the banks of the Seine in the spirit of Renoir, Raguenet and Jongkind. 

WHAT has happened??

0 ( +0 / -0 )

bob Today  07:29 pm JST

I just can't comprehend what has happened to the once so charming people in the once dazzling City of Lights with fantastic cafés, helpful Gendarmes and bohemian artists plying their trade along the banks of the Seine in the spirit of Renoir, Raguenet and Jongkind. 

WHAT has happened??

You’ve posed similar questions before - about the UK, about Australia - but they seem to be based on idealized stereotypes - ‘jolly old England’ and ‘strewth, bonza, fair-dinkum, throw-a-shrimp-on-the-barbie’ Australians.

Truth is, these stereotypes are just what they are - stereotypes.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

What a law?

France a police investigation cannot begin until a formal complaint has been filed???

3 ( +3 / -0 )

You’ve posed similar questions before - about the UK, about Australia - but they seem to be based on idealized stereotypes - ‘jolly old England’ and ‘strewth, bonza, fair-dinkum, throw-a-shrimp-on-the-barbie’ Australians.

Truth is, these stereotypes are just what they are - stereotypes.

So acid attacks have always been the norm in the London, Paris and Sydney?

I must say. Im shocked.

Just shocked.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So acid attacks have always been the norm in the London, Paris and Sydney?

As much as knife attacks in London cutting off an Asian man's finger, beating a 90 year old Thai man to death in San Francisco while accusing him a being Chinese. And numerous other attacks on Asians that according to the stats are up by 10 times the usual in much of Europe and North America.

Your focus on the acid is not going to work at distracting or in trying to deny the fact this has become a major problem.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As much as knife attacks in London cutting off an Asian man's finger, beating a 90 year old Thai man to death in San Francisco while accusing him a being Chinese. And numerous other attacks on Asians that according to the stats are up by 10 times the usual in much of Europe and North America.

Your focus on the acid is not going to work at distracting or in trying to deny the fact this has become a major problem.

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly that racist crimes against Asians are up in North America, at least.

Its terrible, isn't it? Are there any groups in particular that are more likely to attack Asians?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I just found a story which contains CCTV footage of the attack on the poor Thai man. Its pretty shocking...

https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/elderly-San-Francisco-man-killed-racist-act-Vicha-15918274.php

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

19 year-old Antoine Watson and 20 year-old Maylasia Goo have been arrested in the SF case.

Shocking.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

sorry, wrong link . This has the video.

https://abc7news.com/san-francisco-senior-attacked-sf-man-pushed-on-video-day-time-attack-caught-anza-vista-crime/10205928/

Terrible and shocking..

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

the victim has decided not to file a complaint, and in France a police investigation cannot begin until a formal complaint has been filed

Acid attacks affect women disproportionately and all too often it’s a crime that goes unreported and unpunished because victims fear reprisal. Acid attacks are notorious in certain religions and cultures.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

How sad and disgusting, France has had it's share of attacks recently , I hope things will NOT spin out of control, pray for the safety of all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

OK, I’ll teach you. It’s very easy to understand. If someone is here from Europe, he or she is European, but when you fly from hear to Europe, you won’t meet Europeans and will face the according consequences, from crime over physical attacks up to unexpected death. I think, you’ve learned a lot in this short lesson and we understand now each other much better...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Be careful with this kind of claim.

Some french journalists found out :

the alleged victim would be minor

victim didn't complain to the police

acid isn't confirmed to be the substance that would have caused the wounds

In 2004, a jewish woman claimed a group of "hooded individuals" attacked her in the train, cut her hair, made scars on her skin ... it was all fake, and the media jumped on it without fact check !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good to learn that police in France don’t investigate if there is no complaint though.

You want them to investigate every stories found on social networks ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Dear Monsieur Macron, please install high definition cameras everywhere!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I am very glad it was not on the face. They will recover.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Dear Monsieur Macron, please install high definition cameras everywhere!

While there aren't cameras everywhere, there are at least cameras at the tramway station around where the attack apparently happened. There is no footage of the attack at the indicated time or location though. Like I said before, there is still the chance that the attack happened in a blind spot. We can't ignore the possibility that either time and location are off or that there was no attack at all.

France a police investigation cannot begin until a formal complaint has been filed???

Makes you wonder why they went through all the footage then though. The mayor even asked the police to continue(!) their investigation and that was days before this article was released. To me that means that they actually are (or at least were) investigating the attack and there is something wrong with the article.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

blvtzpkFeb. 22  07:50 pm JST

bobToday  07:29 pm JST

I just can't comprehend what has happened to the once so charming people in the once dazzling City of Lights with fantastic cafés, helpful Gendarmes and bohemian artists plying their trade along the banks of the Seine in the spirit of Renoir, Raguenet and Jongkind. 

My first of many, many visits to Paris was over 60 years ago. It was dirty, full of dog faeces and unfriendly people then and has not improved. There are far nicer places to visit in France.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Antiquesaving

Thai man killed in San Francisco accused of being Chinese, man in UK finger cut off accused of spreading virus, woman in Queens New York has her finger nearly severed accused of being Chinese and spreading the virus and the list goes on and on

Nowhere in the article does it say anything about the attacker mentioning any motive, so can we do without baseless speculation?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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