crime

Man randomly stabs another in Asakusa; says he was 'angry'

26 Comments

Police have arrested a 64-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder after he stabbed another man in his 20s on Sunday night in Tokyo's Asakusa area.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 9:20 p.m. at Tobu Asakusa station in Taito Ward. The suspect, whose name has been withheld, approached the younger man and began stabbing him in the stomach and other parts of his body, Sankei Shimbun reported.

The victim suffered several wounds and was taken to a hospital, but his condition is not life-threatening.

The suspect was quoted by police as saying that he didn’t know the name of the (younger) man, but he “was angry” and chose him at random to stab.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

26 Comments
Login to comment

Some Japanese are bullied all their lives and when they blow a gasket unfortunately innocent people get hurt or killed.

If there was not such a stigma for going to a mental health clinic to try and receive some type of counseling and/or medication I believe some of these types of crimes could be prevented, not all but some. But some people refuse to believe they have a problem, and that itself is a problem!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Crazy man slipped through the system.

What system? The system where the doctor gives you a huge bag of antidepressants and tells you to come back in a month? Or, the system of ignoring mental health issues altogether the moderator has been removing my recent posts relating to mental health in Japan there's actually very little mental health in japan, but plenty of mental illness and, summer time is when all the nuts come out - every flipping year!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

There's a reason why the Japanese "toorima" doesn't have a translation in most languages, and it's because the insanity of the " guffaw Just wanted to kill someone!" is somewhat limited to here.

And why on earth can't the name the guy? He's of age, after all.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

If there was not such a stigma for going to a mental health clinic

One must ask oneself; why the stigma?

Because society does not wish to comprehend mental illnesses?

Can't just be Japanese society - as there are posters here from all over the world who regularly sneer at "crazy" people.

Is it, perhaps, the idea that it could happen to any one of "us"? Is it preferrable to continue to demonise or condemn to death, rather than to push for change and understanding?

Only recently, a poster here was in favour of badges for the mentally ill, whilst another seemed to be suggesting eugenics.

This tragedy yet again highlights that the slain are not the only victims.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The stigma of going to a mental health clinic is not as bad of a social problem and most might think. Yes, some people in a community will gossip, but most I know are actually supportive and think it is better that someone get help. It is what happens when it hits home, the family starts to worry about what others will think, and I have actually known people who have been kept from getting the help they need because of this type of thinking.

90% of the people I know all say that the mental health system has changed for the better. They used to call the Mental Clinics (精神科) seishinka, and that was a big barrier, just those words, but it seems after they changed it to the the cooler sounding mental clinic, or in some cases (神経内科 shinkeinaika, more people started to go.

Companies are also at fault, they always think people are faking it, or trying to take advantage of the system. They will tell you, "Everyone else can handle it, or "no one else seems to be bothered by the work environment". Those type of bosses are in need of psychiatric help themselves.

What is needed is more clinics and doctors, and more education to the masses about the subject of mental illness, because it will hit someone in everyone's family sometime.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Here is another link regarding mental health issues, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrbTbB9tTtA

People suffering from mental health issues are not nutters as described is some posts, but normal people who need help but don't know how to go about it. How the words stigma and shame are misused in a society who don't know how to react when in affects someone in their family a friend or work colleague. There has to be better information and education so we all can recognize when it affects someone we know.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I guess it's a taboo subject precisely because the mentally ill are continuously labelled as dangerous lunatics, amongst other epithets.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Very sad, but as mentioned in the comments, Japan has a problem with accepting Mental Health Issues ,for decades Japan and South Korea have had the some of worlds highest suicide rates, suicide is a mental health issue not a cultural problem that brings shame.

Having mental health problems is a serious issue, it affects all walks of society, and yet no one wants to admit there is a problem, there should be more attention given to the issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieXB-BGxYwg

4 ( +6 / -2 )

But we sure as hell don't know the cause.

Very much this. At the end of the day; it's all speculation and none of us (myself included) have the complete facts at hand.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Wasn't there an article here before about a New Zealand person dying in a Japan mental health hospital because they were strapped to the bed for a few days? That does imply to me there is something very wrong with these Health Centres.

Also I believe the stigma of going to a mental health clinic is definitely disappearing in western cultures. Recently in Australia a great sportsman checked himself in due to depression which was applauded by the public in general for him having the courage to come forward and do it. Depression is common amongst all of us but can sometimes spiral out of control like so many other conditions if left unchecked.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

There's a reason why the Japanese "toorima" doesn't have a translation in most languages, and it's because the insanity of the " guffaw Just wanted to kill someone!" is somewhat limited to here.

Not at all. Random killings for no reason unfortunately is a human condition, not a Japanese one. Google 'random murder with no reason' and you will find plenty of articles on the matter for countries that aren't Japan.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Why are they dusting for prints? They caught the guy didn't they? Someone wanting to look useful?

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Crazy man slipped through the system.

What system? Japan has almost no support system for mental illness and the issue is still seen as a taboo subject.

The sheer number of unchecked dangerous lunatics like this one must be staggering

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Especially in the summer...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A guy that randomly stabs a stranger is not just depressed, he's way, way over the anger red line. Probably there are factors we don't know about that pushed him this far. Or maybe he's mentally ill. But we sure as hell don't know the cause.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

That man does not have depression. He is clearly frustrated and angry at something...bipolar rage.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And another one.

Those victims of insanity linger around the society without alert, but when the time comes this kind of news happens. I hope there is something brewing in the heads of the geniuses how to fight back and prevent such tragedies.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Could just be an old boy specifically wanting to go to prison.

That usually happens in Winter time though when it is colder outside.

Read up on the phenomena. It's a retiral plan for many. Cut someone with a box cutter and you're looked after for months or years. Given structure, company, free food, a roof over your head thanks to all the "Buddhist compassion" that runs the penitentiary systems ... (running joke).

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Or the headline could read, old man seeking state sponsored 3 hots and a cot, time for quiet reflection and reading with all medical expenses paid gains entry by stabbing random stranger.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Crazy man slipped through the system.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Tough to know who will flip their lid till they do, unless they have regular compulsory evaluation for each and everyone.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't know about little mental health, seems like every station has a few Mental Health/Kokoro clinics.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And why on earth can't the name the guy? He's of age, after all.

Good question. Perhaps he is one of the boys in blue?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Police have arrested a 64-year-old man

Why is his name being withheld? Is he a minor? What could've made him so angry that he stabbed an innocent random person?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Can the same man appear in court at the trial and declare that when this dumb _ss is released, he will be angrily waiting and will stab him? Fair is fair.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites