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Masked hero helps carry bags, babies up and down Tokyo subway stairs

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I applaud the guy for this. The suit is fun and it probably helps publicise the idea of helping others, which can't be a bad thing at all in Japan, or anywhere for that matter. Think of the publicity of the Tiger Mask guy a few years ago - the media went nuts for it and at the end of the day they spent a lot of time covering acts of kindness and generosity.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

Carry my wife's bags and you will quit in a heartbeat.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Why do we have to know how much the suits cost?

So we can all join in, incognito as always. Go, go JT Rangers!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

“Japanese people find it hard to accept help, they feel obligated to the other person,"

This is sad.

"When I first began, people basically said ‘Get away from me, you weirdo’"

This is sad too.

"The slender 27-year-old"

I'll bet he's slender, with all that walking up and down those steps! ( Plus he's still only 27 )

"at the station on Tokyo’s western side. Like many in the city, it has neither elevators nor escalators and a long flight of dimly lit stairs."

Whose fault is this?

Did I say kudos to Kanemasu? Kudos!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Where is this Japanese helping each other schtick? I recall also helping people with heavy bags down stairs in Tokyo. I just went and did it. It helped to be gaijin I thought. Also helps to be much taller ;)

Odd for an aging population to not just help out people around you. This reminds me of offering up my seat on a train, I didn't give it a second thought. The guy beside me actually complained and I asked incredulously, this is how you treat your elders?

Japan is a beautiful country but just helping people out shouldn't be made complicated. Do it because you want to help. Does that need to be explained too? C'mon

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Not only was I rarely helped by anyone lugging babies and prams up and down stairs, I was actually punched once by a guy who took umbrage at my 2 year old holding the handrail on the "wrong" side of the stairs going down as he was coming up (and I was carrying a baby when he punched me).

So good on you Kanemasu san. Thank you for your selfless efforts.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

It should be common sense for every able-bodied person to help others. It can be tough for some people to negotiate the narrow stairs with luggage or babies, so many people just pretend they don't see it and pass by.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

That suit must be hot. He should get a Tony Stark Iron Man suit, that's air conditioned.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

who says this country lacks creativity??

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Awesome. I feel inspired. Great idea

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What a great dude.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Nice uplifting story! Keep it up "Carry-Your-Pram Ranger"!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

My feel good story for the week! I applaud his!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What a nice guy! This makes me happy after reading all the articles about pervert police officers and underwear thieves. Good on him!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I was a little mislead by this story's title. When I hear/read "Masked Hero" I think of Batman or even Kick Ass, someone who fights crime by night and makes a city safe.

If you think being a hero is just beating up people who do bad things, you don't know what a real hero is.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Shown on CP24 News in Toronto. Maybe he should be the new Batman!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Including staff, Meguroman! I had a station officer walk straight past me going up the stairs as I was coming down with a toddler, dragging a pram with one hand and (at the time) with my forearm all bandaged up. She just looked the other way. I actually had to call out to her and ask her for help and she then did, grudgingly, but c`mon??!! Common sense!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Kudos to the guy for the effort.

But it's sad that society needs a gimmick such as this to urge them to have basic manners and civility.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Very funny. Especially because in most situations japanese do not help strangers w/ bags etc, like they do in the West. I guess he needs the costume to feel like it's "ok" to do it?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The eye shield looks dark. I hope he can really see well enough.

As for you great gaijin gentlemen, don't change your ways. But, I suppose it can backfire sometimes. Still, don't change.

I'm A Monkey. And Japanese. I've always felt that the Japanese are kind. And helpful. Have I been wrong all these years? Yea, maybe there are more losers now. Bummer, if so.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This world needs more people like him. Though the costume is weird, this guy has a good heart. I hope he finds others to assist him in his good deeds to the community.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's 'fun' until someone else does it and commits a crime, and he (or she) is already masked, so good luck with that identity parade!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"He picked up the green Power Rangers suit and two spares at a discount store for 4,000 yen each." Why do we have to know how much the suits cost?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I have tried to help people in this country before. But despite my good Japanese with no trace of accent, I usually get looks of fear and mistrust. Perhaps its my gaijin mask?

Of course I know that quiet desperation is the Japanese way. But just the other day I saw a boy sitting on the floor of a shop and he was crying, but no loudly or obviously, so at first I was not sure what he was doing. Then I saw his mother carrying a baby and figured he was feeling ignored. He wanted held too I expected and I wanted to intervene. But me? A gaijin male holding a strange baby or three year old? I don't know it has to be a problem, but it would be. Later I saw one of the female clerks holding the baby while the mother held the boy. I felt relieved, not only that the situation was resolved, but also its nice to know that sometimes Japanese people do reach out and help strangers.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

It is sad that one has to be masked to help people freely!!!

When I first began, people basically said, 'Get away from me, you weirdo'," he said. "Now they still think I'm weird but in a good way."

I once offered help (in Japanese) to an elderly woman to carry her heavy suitcase up a few stairs near a local Mall (not metro)...she became nervous, went back a few steps grabbed her cell and was about to dial a number (I guess 110). I stepped back, bowed and left...praying that I am not taken to a Koban. After that incident I have often passed guys sprawled on the sidewalk drunk, girls sick and vomiting, and elderly people dragging luggage in sweltering heat. I moved on with impassive face just like the other people on the street.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I was a little mislead by this story's title. When I hear/read "Masked Hero" I think of Batman or even Kick Ass, someone who fights crime by night and makes a city safe. This person, who perhaps is a little weird (and let's face it, who isn't?), is a good samaritan, and I applaud that, but calling him a Hero is a bit much. When he busts a child sex group or rescues someone from a burning building, then he can be called a Hero. Helping people carry their luggage up and down stairs is being a good samaritan. I don't mean to sound like an arsehole, but I am one so that can't be helped really.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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