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Tokyo water parks go on code red alert after pool attacks

15 Comments

While swimming at the wave-generating "Cobalt Beach," one of the most popular pools at the Tokyo Summerland complex in Akiruno City on August 21, nine women between the ages of 18 to 24 were slashed on their buttocks or torsos by a person or persons unknown. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police have been poring over security camera recordings, but have yet to collar a suspect.

As a result, Yukan Fuji (Aug 26) reports that other swimming pools in the greater Tokyo area are taking extra security precautions over the upcoming weekend. As one analyst put it, "The perpetrator seems to be getting a thrill from the excitement he causes, so there's a good chance he'll repeat somewhere."

But nabbing the bizarre "butt-ripper," as some perverse cynics have nicknamed him, might not be so easy. At the time of the crimes, the complex was mobbed with about 10,000 paying visitors.

As the tabloid relates, shortly after 2 p.m., two female bathers said they felt sharp pains, and were found to be bleeding from tears in their bathing suits covering their buttocks. One suffered a cut of about 8 centimeters in length. Afterward, more young women began seeking first aid, making a total of nine.

"I suppose the assailant's purpose was not to cause injury so much as obtaining sexual satisfaction from hearing the women's cry of surprise," theorized psychiatrist Harufusa Higano, head of the Higano Clinic in Tokyo's Adachi ward. "Some people seek these kinds of outlets when they aren't able to satisfy themselves through normal sex."

Dr Higano also believes the criminal's choice of a swimming pool might be significant.

"A swimmer's guard would be down in such a case, and also it's happening in the water, where there's much less chance of someone witnessing the crime. I can imagine the criminal might be a school teacher or other type of respected figure in society who is viewed as a 'serious' person, and who sees such acts as a way to satisfy his urges without damaging his public image," Higano said. He believes the perpetrator considered his acts "play" because if he really intended to cause serious injury or death, he would be more likely to attack a woman's breasts.

"Since he may feel a sense of satisfaction from the uproar he caused, there's a good chance he'll repeat the act," Higano said, voicing fears that the possibility shouldn't be ignored that news coverage of the crime might inspire copycats in other parts of the country.

In the wake of the incident at Akiruno, the Toshima-en recreational complex in Tokyo's Nerima Ward announced that depending on crowd conditions it would "boost the number of security staff at its six pools and increase the frequency of patrols, while aggressively questioning people seen as behaving suspiciously." A spokesperson for Yomiuriland in Inagi City told Yukan Fuji it was adopting stricter security measures at its five pools. And operators of the Rainbow Pool at the Showa Memorial Park in the suburb of Tachikawa -- with an area measuring 1.4 times the size of the Tokyo Dome stadium -- had taken to broadcasting announcements via the PA system to the effect that police had increased patrols of the area, while warning swimmers to be on the alert.

So if you're planning to head for a water park this weekend, Yukan Fuji advises, stay on your guard.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

15 Comments
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These sicko idiots ruining it for everyone, now expect to be checked for knives and sharp objects when entering these for fun premises.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Japan may have low crime rate on the surface, but it seems to me that there are quite a number of mentally unsound or warped people running around finding thrills in hurting others...just like those physco characters that we sometimes see in animes.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Yes, Reckless, I agree with your observation about the overcrowding. Basically the purpose of going to such a place is to get wet and cool off, not actually exercise. The term I've heard for bobbing up and down in the water without going anywhere is "imo arai" (washing potatoes).

6 ( +6 / -0 )

“I suppose the assailant’s purpose was not to cause injury so much as obtaining sexual satisfaction from hearing the women’s cry of surprise,” theorized psychiatrist Harufusa Higano, head of the Higano Clinic in Tokyo’s Adachi ward. “Some people seek these kinds of outlets when they aren’t able to satisfy themselves through normal sex.”

Weird.

guess he or she has a razor blade oe similar hidden in palm of hand. difficult to catch.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

These really crowded pools are a groper's buffet. When there are waves or an artificial current and the pool is crowded, people get tangled up, they don't really have any clothes to protect them and it's not always easy to tell if something was a grope or just an innocent collision of bodies. Honestly, I am surprised there aren't more weirdo cases like this. Hope they catch this loon before he seriously hurts or kills someone. Unlikely though, unless he repeats it often enough.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Tokyo water parks go on code red alert

Head to the bat cave...atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I can imagine the criminal might be a school teacher or other type of respected figure in society who is viewed as a ‘serious’ person, and who sees such acts as a way to satisfy his urges without damaging his public image,” Higano said.

Or how about a cop or politician? "Typically both are respected and are also seen as "serious" too. While it's probably a guy, why make the assumption, what about a female who may have issues as well?

But nabbing the bizarre “butt-ripper,” as some perverse cynics have nicknamed him, might not be so easy

Like some Japanese person is going to make this comment? Doubtful, probably the author trying to come up with some catchy phrase for this perp.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Doubtful, probably the author trying to come up with some catchy phrase for this perp.

Yukan Fuji and some Japanese blogs are calling him 尻裂き魔 (shirisaki-ma). Saku means to rend or tear, and is also used in "Hikisaki Jakku," the Japanese name for Jack the Ripper of yore.

http://www.zakzak.co.jp/society/domestic/news/20160826/dms1608261550004-n1.htm

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Amazing how men don't need special train cars to avoid groping and men aren't being attacked on their buttocks in pools. I hope women in the pool find this creep and rip off his bathing suit and have him parade around publicly while everyone takes pictures and Instagrams them. If the expert is right and this is a person who is afraid to mess up their social standing or lose their job, the best revenge is to publicly humiliate them and out them. Naked strut vengeance!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Amazing how men don't need special train cars

But we want them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Or how about a cop or politician? "Typically both are respected and are also seen as "serious" too. While it's probably a guy, why make the assumption, what about a female who may have issues as well?

Funny you should say that Yubaru. That was EXACTLY what I was thinking as I read the article.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I can imagine the criminal might be a school teacher or other type of respected figure in society” Higano said. He believes the perpetrator considered his acts “play” because if he really intended to cause serious injury or death, he would be more likely to attack a woman’s breasts.

Ooooookay ....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

and Paste: “Some people seek these kinds of outlets when they aren’t able to satisfy themselves through normal sex.” If this is their outlet what would make you think that anything is "Normal" about their sex.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The point here is..someone out there..is hurting others during R and R!! Pointless to find what item is being used - metal or plastic - it don't matter. Nowadays, pools are equipped with special ink detectors that will trace blood and likely identifying the perp. I'll say apply this solution on all public pools !!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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