crime

Man arrested after slicing his stomach at Tokyo police HQ

12 Comments

Police have arrested a 72-year-old man who apparently tried to commit suicide by slicing his stomach in the waiting area at the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in Kasumigaseki.

Police said the man, identified as Shoji Tsuchida, from Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, entered the building at 10:30 a.m. and asked to speak to a police officer, Fuji TV reported. At 11:10 a.m., while waiting in a room on the first floor, Tsuchida suddenly yelled, “I’m going to die if you don’t listen to me.” Police said he then took out a folding knife, with a blade measuring 8.6 cm in length, and began slicing his stomach.

A 41-year-old police officer who tried to stop Tsuchida received a cut to his left hand.

Police said Wednesday that Tsuchida is in hospital in a stable condition and that he will be charged with violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law and assault.

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12 Comments
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Wow they are gunna charge him with the swords and firearms act, meaning he will receive a lengthy term. Those charges are quite serious here. Personally it sounds like a psychiatric evaluation could be more helpful than the rest of his life in prison.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Are there any crimes in the news posted at present that DON'T have Saitama in them? Sheesh! Anyway, this guy forgot to get someone to stand behind him and deliver the decapitating blow; but I guess he couldn't find anyone near as dumb as himself.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

lock him up! he cant get away with this. he has injured a police officer and possibly traumatized a few people. therell be people to listen to him in JAIL! plus, if he was serious he would have used a longer blade. looney tunes!

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Are there any crimes in the news posted at present that DON'T have Saitama in them? Sheesh!

Smith, man, come on. Aside from the Okinawa issue, I pretty much agree with you on everything, but not this. Saitama is nowhere near in the news as much as Tokyo is. Plus, this incident happened in Tokyo. The man just happens to be from Saitama.

Anyway, this guy forgot to get someone to stand behind him and deliver the decapitating blow; but I guess he couldn't find anyone near as dumb as himself.

Now THAT, my friend, we can DEFINITELY agree on.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I don't think he would have to go as far as the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department from Saitama Prefecture. Yes, he was supposed to go to a KOBAN in his area. Nevertheless, he shouldn't let someone get hurt, though.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The harakiri meme refuses to die! But we can at least be thankful that baseball bats and golf clubs have replaced the katana.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I don't smoke, but better ippuku than seppuku.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wow they are gunna charge him with the swords and firearms act, meaning he will receive a lengthy term. Those charges are quite serious here.

Yea, that's why the knife length was explicitly mentioned. Have to follow the rules, after all. And he was carrying a knife with a blade greater than 5 cm (OMFG, 8.6cm!!?!, that's a sword, a tells ya!).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I hope that he was taken to hospital.....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

**he then took out a folding knife,****

**he will be charged with violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law and assault

Why is it called a knife then? I've seen longer knives in home stores labeled "KNIVES" not swords. Even the ad at the top of this page advertises big knives.This man needed help. I hope he gets the help he needs and can recover from his self inflicted wound beautifully!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why is it called a knife then? I've seen longer knives in home stores labeled "KNIVES" not swords. Even the ad at the top of this page advertises big knives.

Knives are covered under the Swords and Firearms Control Law. Anything over a certain length (15cm if I recall correctly) is illegal to carry in public.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

So what was the reason?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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