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The sound of an ambulance siren could never be considered something pleasant, but it’s not really something the average person hates. It’s annoying, but then again it’s meant to be annoying – and it’s usually part of rescuing someone in need.
So, while most people may cringe and cover their ears when an ambulance goes screeching by, we doubt anyone would actually get mad and try to assault one.
Unless you happen to be this university lecturer.
Last week, 54-year-old Tetsuji Hirayama, a lecturer from Tsukuba University in Ibaraki Prefecture, was arrested for interfering with public servants in the execution of their duties ... which is a somewhat vague offense that could cover a lot of ground. But in Hirayama’s case it was specifically for assaulting (for lack of a better word) ambulances.
Over the last six years, since 2008, Hirayama has allegedly interfered with ambulances in Tsukuba City at least 12 times. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until last week that he was finally arrested.
Apparently, Hirayama has yelled at both the paramedics in the ambulances and the vehicles themselves. The lecturer even jumped in front of one ambulance as it was driving down the street. He has also allegedly screamed “Baka! Baka!” (or “Stupid! Stupid!”) at the vehicles on university premises and in front of a hospital. The total number of incidences recorded are as follows: twice in both 2008 and 2009, once in 2013, and a total of seven times in 2014 alone.
The lecturer was finally arrested after being caught kicking a parked ambulance.
As for why Hirayama apparently goes Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" whenever an ambulance goes by, it turns out that…well, he just really hates the sirens. He told police: “The sirens are loud, so I didn’t like ambulances. I just happened to see one stopped, so I kicked it.”
Naturally, Japanese commenters were not impressed with Hirayama.
“How does someone with this little sense get to be a lecturer in a university??” “Let’s just deport him.” “All his efforts over the last six years have finally borne fruit!” “As expected, people who shout ‘stupid’ are the stupid ones.” “Is he a dog??”
Sources: Itai News 2channel, Yomiuri
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Tokyo Mob Blocks Ambulance. “You should be ashamed, Japan!” -- Serious accidents from walking while using smartphone up over 50 percent in Tokyo -- Rodin’s “The Thinker” goes thoughtless in Japan
© RocketNews24
32 Comments
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Yubaru
Hey Toshiko believe this or not when "Japanese" make stereotype comments about foreigners it isn't showing their ignorance it's FACT to many of them. But let one foreigner make a comment that stereotypes the Japanese and all heck breaks loose.
lationz
In his (meagre) defense, ambulances here are indeed extremely loud even when they really, really don't need to be.
I was once picked up by an ambulance (for a minor ailment - suffice to say no rushing was required) at 7AM, broad daylight, in a relatively quiet suburban neighborhood.
Not wanting to cause a stir, I requested the operator on the phone to please have the ambulance come without sirens going etc, since it was not an emergency. She refused, saying that 'because it is an ambulance, we must use the siren'. Of course, the ambulance arrived sirens BLAZING, and I was taken away amongst a small group of nosy neighbourhood obaachans who were peering in and whispering amongst themselves. Great. Again I kindly asked the drivers, explained the situation (I had a toothpick lodged in the back of my mouth) and that I was breathing fine etc, no urgent emergency, please can we cut the sirens. Naturally, this fell on deaf ears: "because it's an ambulance". lol.
Fadamor
I have two words for this guy: Ear Plugs.
toshiko
@himajin: I wrote toward "Japanese commenters" are even worst, they seem to be incapable of wonder why these things happen, they just comment on the outcome. Stereotyping as if any Japanese are stupid just because sampler Japanese said stupid..
wtfjapan
wow a mentally disturbed person teaching young minds. sounds like he needs a frontal lobotomy
CruisinJapan
He's like the Don Quixote of ambulances
souka
If he really care that much for a loud noise frm ambulances, then maybe it would be better if he use his time as a lecturer to do research on ways to informing the public on any accidents, etc..without the use of sirens. lol
Nanraayashimunitarinai
Noisy students?? In a class?? lol ))))
bogva
Ha ha! Now, I don't know why everybody immediately jumps on his profession? Too often people lose their job for something they did in private.
Probably he is good lecturer and loves his students! He just hates ambulances after all... (sarcasm)
Christopher Glen
Why couldn't he assault one of the black speaker vans? Far fewer people would condemn him, in fact he would be applauded
Yubaru
Reread the article again please, this isn't about you it's about the rather ignorant comments that were cherry-picked for inclusion in this "report" here.
nath
what a guy!!! Keeping ambulances in their place so we can all sleep better at night.
Fouxdefa
A mental case for sure.
sighclops
Not excusing his actions here, as I reckon Japanese paramedics are some of the toughest in the world. What I've seen them have to deal with a train stations... Just wow. THAT SAID, like everything else that comes out of a speaker here, their sirens just sound that much louder - like to the point of physical discomfort as they crawl past...
Himajin
Toshiko, I think this is what was being referred to- from the article:
"Naturally, Japanese commenters were not impressed with Hirayama.
“How does someone with this little sense get to be a lecturer in a university??” “Let’s just deport him.” “All his efforts over the last six years have finally borne fruit!” “As expected, people who shout ‘stupid’ are the stupid ones.” “Is he a dog??”
FightingViking
I resent that remark. There are many dogs that rescue people and they usually only bark at bad people, not at those trying to save lives...
StormR
University lecturer what can you say eh ? Sometimes not the smartest guys are they .
Pretty obvious this nut case has serious issues.
Dennis Bauer
So what if he gets a heart attack? does ambulances will not go near him!
toshiko
54 years old and lecturer that is usually, position given to a student trainee. Ambalamce often have to go rescue victims. Often ambalance have to rush to people almost dieing.
Mocheake
Everything is allowed to make noise in Japan - the gas truck, delivery truck backing up, right wingers in their vans, bosozoku, morning exercise groups outside my window at 5 a.m., etc. Call the cops and they do absolutely nothing. Turn up the TV a little and they'll be at your door admonishing you for disturbing the quietness of the neighborhood. This guy needs to redirect his anger.
gogogo
What a moron, I hope he needs one one day to understand why they make the noise they do
Stewart Gale
I don't find the sirens at all annoying but I do get annoyed by the guy sitting inside the police car / ambulance yelling away on the megaphone at the same time. Dude, I hear the siren, I understand what's happening. That's enough.
toshiko
@koiwaicoffeeNOV. 05, 2014 - 08:13AM JST The levels of stress in Japan are catastrophic! But the "Japanese commenters" are even worst, they seem to be incapable of wonder why these things happen, they just comment on the outcome.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Since I am a Japanese commenter and majority are not Japanese commenters, You mus be writing about me.
Frungy
This was my question too.
If this was a case of hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound) then loud noises like sirens could be causing him physical pain, and I'd sympathise with his rage at a constant source of pain. However then I'd also expect to see the same behaviour towards fire trucks and patrol cars.
If it is merely a pathological hatred for ambulances... well, I still have sympathy, and I hope that instead of prison time he's sent to mandatory therapy to uncover the reason for his hatred and can deal with it.
All in all this guy is mentally ill, and needs help, not to be prosecuted. This is just another symptom of Japan's complete inability to deal with the mentally ill.
CrazyJoe
Most Japanese seem either to accept or not notice the cacophony in the air in a city like Tokyo. Much of the noise is inevitable, the result of 127 million people, 80 million motor vehicles and the non-communist world's second largest economy competing for space in an area the size of Montana. Will he kick (assault) a patrol car or a firetruck?
koiwaicoffee
The levels of stress in Japan are catastrophic!
But the "Japanese commenters" are even worst, they seem to be incapable of wonder why these things happen, they just comment on the outcome.
Yubaru
Where? (ignorance of some people!)
Sensato
“How does someone with this little sense get to be a lecturer in a university??”
Ahem. You would be surprised.
From what I have seen here, there are plenty of dysfunctional misfits among university faculties.
shallots
Everything makes too much noise in Japan. However, he would do better to go after people with loudspeakers.
Sasoriza
He is teaching information technologies there. I can only guess what his poor students are subjected to.