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Kagawa Univ associate professor and kenpo black belt punches woman

27 Comments

Kagawa University revealed Saturday that a 45-year-old associate professor punched a woman multiple times on a train in February, injuring her. As well as teaching English at Kagawa University since April 2010, the man is also a high ranking practitioner of Shorinji Kenpo, the modern martial art based on Shaolin kung fu.

According to police, he was on board a high-speed JR train from Takamatsu to Okayama on Feb 1 at around 5 p.m. when he came into contact with the 40-year-old woman. A quarrel began, which resulted in the man punching the woman's face and chest.

University officials said the associate professor told them, "The woman stood on my foot and didn't apologize, so I flew into a rage. I have apologized."

The man is currently suspended from work and the university reportedly plans to administer further punishment. It believed that he has already reached an out-of-court settlement with the woman.

© Compiled from news reports

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27 Comments
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If I had a nickel for every person who injured me in some way on the train without apologizing ...

I was once standing there with a man dozing while hanging onto the rings in front of me. His briefcase was between his feet. He reached down to get his briefcase at his stop and WHACK smacked me in the forehead with his elbow on the way up.

Did he apologize?

F-no. He stared at me wide-eyed and dashed off the train.

Did I chase after him and beat the crap out of him right there?

Of course not.

I always thought martial arts was for learning to control your anger. When I was in MA we were told that we'd get our belts revoked if we ever got in a fight where we were the aggressors. That whole, "You learn it so you never have to use it" thing. I guess his dojo was a bit different.

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Japanese men in this country have been repressed for too long. It was only a matter of time before they started fighting back...

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but it is the samurai way! he should have chopped her head off. the manners in this country are truly appalling. it seems he showed commendable restraint if he is a martial arts trained specialist and she remained largely unscathed. i was in a fight once. i seem to remember only getting punched twice but i still managed to end up with two black eyes, a blood nose and a fat lip. go figure.

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What the hell his workplace has to do with this?

I always wonder why municipalities, etc. suspend or even fire people for their actions in their private life. He was a hooligan and was punishable by the law. Woluld they suspend him if he had a fight at a soccer match?

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Out-of-court settlement or not, I don't understand why he hasn't been arrested. Further, as a holder of a black belt, he really should get the book thrown at him. Wonder if the victim being a woman had anything to do with this "oversight"?

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no godan - her being a woman is why this is even news. you are oversenstive to the plight of women.

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@Bobcatfish - not sure I see your point about my being "oversenstive" (sic). Police in Japan are infamous for turning a blind eye towards (J on J) male violence on women.

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Bogva, lets take it a bit more extreme to make my point. Would u allow a murderer, thief, or a rapist to continue working at school? .No. same thing goes for a violent person that cant control their anger.Ur private life has everything to do with ur work. After all, its the same person (attitude, charqcterc, decision making) at work or at home. Bob, there are appaling people with no manners in every country. To say most of japanese people have no manners IS appaling. Again, the hypocracy.

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Do we assume he was Japanese ?

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As a blackbelt, I would think that he could do some serious damage if he wanted to. Did he, or no?

If he just gave her some lovetaps to shake her up, its still wrong, but it changes the story a bit. Many Japanese do do careless and stupid things and try to go on like it never happened. However, the response should only be a good tongue lashing.

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IF this was a clue to a crossword puzzle I would have said "PUNCHBAG"

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Martial Arts should never be used for the purpose of hurting others. Shorinji Kempo is an art of self-defense, not offense. Shorinji Kempo students are forbidden to strike the first blow. They are taught to use their art as a last resort for self-defense, only if no other option is available. However it's a pity because women know that men will get in trouble if they hit women, and they know that the laws and our culture is biased in their favor, and they sometimes take advantage of this. Hey listen macho men, listen up. A women is not a punching bag. she is not the vent for all your steam and uncontrolled anger. She is not to blame for your failures. She is not a lesser being. You do not have the right to pummel her, then when the anger subsides tell her you are sorry. Perhaps it is some feral streak, an untamed streak or testosterone gone wild that arouses a male to draw blood and cause pain. Perhaps society has turned its head the other way for far too long. No matter what the cause the result is untenable. Animal is the name that comes to my mind for such cowardly behavior.

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When people step on my feet on a train, they almost often apologize. I tell them no problem because I have an extra one. Makes people smile. I do not like jealous people though that have to stand because of no seats, and keep kicking my feet. I get on their case big time.

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I'm wondering how he became a ''high ranking practitioner'' of Shorinji Kempo and still did this? I've been praticing Shorinji for ten years, and the very first thing I learned was that you NEVER throw the first punch and you certainly never attack someone weaker than you, unless in complete self-defense. Sounds like this guy needs to be given a few taps on the head himself!

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I've been praticing Shorinji for ten years, and the very first thing I learned was that you NEVER throw the first punch and you certainly never attack someone weaker than you,

It would be nice if your attitude was the general one, but in my experience, at least outside Japan, people who are interested in Martial arts are pretty much all violent thugs looking for new techniques to beat people up. And they're not ashamed to say it, either.

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lunacy. there certainly are some rude and haughty women out there, but...

incidentally, the Shorinji Kempo school is supposedly connected with the right wingers, which might explain why there is no semblance of discipline displayed in this individual's attitude.

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Wow. Talk about not excercising self-control. Thought that was one of the core priciples for martial artists?

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Oh wow. That's intense. I guess they make a big deal out of his credentials because he's not just some common thug off the street doing this, which is what makes it newsworthy as well.

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Punched her in the chest? Am I the only one to find that odd?

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Monkeyz: "I always thought martial arts was for learning to control your anger."

Nope. As far as I know it's more geared towards self-defense than anger management, though you saying otherwise does indeed say a lot.

In most nations, anyone with a black belt, as is the case with boxers as well, the hands are considered deadly weapons. This guy committed assault with a deadly weapon, and he should get the appropriate punishment. I say a couple of years in the klink.

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Way too many BS perceptions about MA out there.

A Black Belt means nothing, zilch in true MA terms. A black Belt is someone that simply past the basic prerequisites(physical, stamina, basic knowledge, etc) in order to start learning the real stuff.

Neither will MA give you any extra health benefits or turn you into a super human that can rise above their own desires, limitations(emotional or physical), etc.

One reason why I prefer Chinese MA, way less of that rank/belt, bushido, rituals, etc bull-shite which is so rampantly in western taught MA(any country), heck we don't even have a wear unless for public demos.

Guy lost it plain and simple, regardless of his workplace or sport.

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People seem to think he used his karate knowledge to the fullest. There is no special reason not to think he gave her the most untrained girly limp wristed punches possible.

If his hands are deadly weapons, um, need I point out that no one died?

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Sumimasen is the way to Zen!

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In most nations, anyone with a black belt, as is the case with boxers as well, the hands are considered deadly weapons.

Thought that one was a myth. What countries?

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As well as teaching English at Kagawa University since April 2010

Thats up for debate.

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Sumimasen will only get you so far...some people need to be told their wrongdoings.

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