Woman stabs 2 Chinese colleagues in workplace cafeteria

Is their Nationality really important here?

@Tamamura

I have mixed feelings about that — it probably shouldn't be, but unfortunately it is. Here is why.

In Japan it is standard media practice to invariably report the nationality of crimes committed by non-Japanese nationals. And on a related note, I often see the national media outlets cover relatively minor crimes committed by foreigners (ie. drunken US sailor wanders into garden of private residence), even though I am sure the exact same crime would not make even local news if committed by a Japanese citizen.

People I meet in Japan often express outrage toward the perceived menace of surging cases of foreign crime (often seen as being of Chinese origin), but never do I hear people speak of crimes committed by Japanese citizens against foreign nationals living in Japan — which are doubtlessly much greater in number.

With all that said, I think it best that they reported nationality of the victims here, just for the sake of consistency with standard media practices in Japan, and to show that foreign residents of Japan can be victims as well as perpetrators of crime. Shoe on the other foot.

Imagine how different the headline reads if it is: 'Woman stabs 2 colleagues in workplace cafeteria'

Is their Nationality really important here?

@Tamarama - Race could be the motive. It works both ways as well... when someone non-Japanese does something wrong, their race is always told.

It really boils down to what they were arguing about?

@cl400

"RACE" ? I think you mean "NATIONALITY" since Asian people are all the same "RACE"

Tamarama: "Imagine how different the headline reads if it is: 'Woman stabs 2 colleagues in workplace cafeteria'. Is their Nationality really important here?"

Unfortunately, yes. Given the problems between Japan and China (and other nations) at present, nationality plays a big part. Did she stab anyone else?

Better yet, do you ask the same question when there's a report of Chinese attacking Japanese people in China? Guess thanks to this woman no one can claim Japan is the saint anymore.

One does not simply stab 2 coworkers! There is A LOT more to this story. It would be nice to get a follow up as well.

Is their Nationality really important here?

At this point, yes. To prosecute the woman, I let the police and judges find if xenophobia was a motivation or not. For people reading the news, it's important to tell it when foreigners are victims of Japanese citizens in order to balance the over-reaction when Japanese people are victims of foreigners.

cl1400

Race could be the motive.

You mean Nationality of course, which it may be, or it may not. Obviously that hasn't been established yet and their Nationality seems therefore irrelevant at this point.

I often see strife between the two nationalities at my workplace. These incidents may start becoming very common. Just the very nature of the countries' histories and the fact that China is on the rise and Japan may be in decline could be a contributing factor. The woman should see a good amount of time in the cooler but I doubt she will. If the situation were reversed and a Chinese had attacked two Japanese, it would be different. Speedy recovery to the victims.

+1 Sensato - excellent points. I hope the poor victims recover - they are lucky to have not bled to death - and the violent attacker cops at least 20 inside.

The fact that they're Chinese is just more info about the case. Their ages, sex, names and the location also are not directly related, but could be of interest. If we always left out info we felt was superfluous, this article would be two words long, "knife attack".

"Police say Onodera, who works part-time, was arrested on a charge of assault and has confessed to stabbing the women following an argument. " I guess the Japanese just didn't feel like arguing. But in all seriousness, yes the argument could have had something to do with their nationality or not and unless you have some additional info about the argument, it's all pure speculation.

While I've no frame of reference for this exact case, I wouldn't try to justify the woman's actions either way. Nationality or plenty of other reasons might have been an issue here, but one thing's for sure is that the media will make nationality an issue.

Might have been about the Senkakus, might have been about whose turn it was to make the tea. Without information, this story is pretty much meaningless....

Police say Onodera, who works part-time, was arrested on a charge of assault ...?!

Shouldn't it say... deadly assault ???

Xenophobia could be a factor. I have worked for a Watami food processing facility for two years. B4 I continue I emPhatically state Watami is a great company and their openess to hire foreign nationals from the Philippines china and my country USA is commendable. That said at the peer level I have to put up with a lot of crap. Even at my age 50. Constant comments and negative uncalled for overcritique, implications I am less competent or proficient, withholding of training and orientation on processes. For examPle out of 17 on our crew only I do not rotate where I have to do the final pr

no reason?

They argued the report stated. Then it stated the attacker as a part time worker. I am very sure they argued ubin Japanese language. Brainy cultured Chinese people, I'd bet. Just my guess. The attacker argued with brainy ladies and lost, so she attacked. //Acted like female chimpira. Hope the victims will recover and never argue with a stupid person in future.

I wonder what the argument was about? Sekakus?

Interesting double standard here as I'm pretty sure no one would have complained about the nationality of the attacker if she wasn't japanese. Anyway, do we need to be reminded of the fact this is an international site about Japan and this is one of the reason this ews was posted (because it concerns 2 foreigners?) I do hope that both the victims recover quicly.

Don't media mention nationality of foreigners if they were victims or criminals? Don;t they skip Japanese if victims or criminals were Japanese? Headline has limited length of words.

I really dont think this case was moved by racism or something similar to this point.

@tamarama: Of cause media will dig all info available to let public know.