Police on Tuesday said one of the male victims who survived Sunday's Akihabara stabbing spree was found to be infected with hepatitis B. Police are asking anyone who helped give the victims emergency aid or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to visit their doctor for an immediate medical check.
Police did not identify the victim to protect his privacy. The Manseibashi police station in Akihabara is asking anyone who gave emergency aid to the victims to call them at 03- 3257-0110).
© Japan Today
42 Comments
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rjd_jr
Wow that's horrific.
timorborder
This just gets worse and worse. I wonder if the victim themselves knew they were infected?
westurn
BTW, is that a gaijin I see in this picture ?
borscht
westurn,
Possibly. There's also an Asian person in the photo. The point being?
westurn
"The point being?"
Japanese in Tokyo outnumber foreigners a gazzillion to one. What is it about this one gaijin (?) that made him beat all those other nihonjin looky loos to the front of the "I'm here to help" line ??? I'd like to know who he is. I think I saw a military style hat in another photo, maybe navy. Reminds me of the story about the young korean that jumped on the train tracks to save a fallen drunk japanese man a few years back. Thank god for the foreign community ! Someone ship this photo to Ishihara would ya !
pizzaboy
You must be Japanese. If not, you act just like a many Japanese would, "hey look, a foreigner!"
Loki520
And now... the good samaritian needs to be tested for Hep B.
westurn
Actually pizza"boy"... it should read..."hey look, a foreigner offering help and assistance, while I take pictures !"
matjohnson
Terrible...what is life coming to these days.
sarcasm123
"Japanese in Tokyo outnumber foreigners a gazzillion to one."
In Tokyo? Are you sure? And in Akihabara? It's possible close to 10 to 1 or something like that.
European1
Hope it's only Hepatitis B not HIV which is worse. Regarding foreigner (if he is one) good he try to help, this is what we should do in some cases. Hope he will end up without any sickness. Hope Japanese Gov won't spread their propaganda saying that "B" came from Mr.foreigner because this is us who bring everything to Japan. Save Us innocent people from Japanese mentaly sick who don't need to be fingerprinted unless committed crime.
Fair dinkum!
Just another reason you don't go into a situation like this. I'm sure we would like to have helped, but that is why there are professionals.
Hughgarse
does look like a gaijin, and call me crazy, but the Japanese looks like a girl. Not a guy.
DXXJP
What about all the other people that got stabbed with said knife as well or are they all dead anyways.
rtrhead1
Fair, are you kidding me? You would sit there and watch a man bleed to death because you are afraid of catching something? If someone is in need of life or death assistance, i.e. bleeding to death in the street because there are more victims than professionals, you can bet you're bottom dollar that I would actually get in there to at the very least stop the bleeding.
westing
It's the victim not the coward cautght the hepatitis B
japanyesterday
i wish this was caught on tape. i will never understand how this guy was able stab so many people in a crowded area before he got apprehended by 1 police officer 5 minutes later.
rtrhead1
westing, my comment was pointed at fair dinkum who would use that as an excuse to not get involved.
moonbeams
A response to westurn:
"What is it about this one gaijin (?) that made him beat all those other nihonjin looky loos to the front of the "I'm here to help" line ???"
I've been reading JT for 2 years. This comment finally made me sign up to call out some of the racist, stupidity on this forum.
I believe the ratio between foreigners and Japanese is from 1-60 to 1-100. I live in Kawasaki, right next to Tokyo, and every time I step on a train, there is almost always a non-Asian person in the same car.
There are two people tending to the victim in the photo. That is enough, it's best fore the victim not to be crowded.
kinniku
japanyesterday,
He hit quite a number of them with his truck first and then stabbed them. In addition, he stabbed others while they were trying to assist the first set of victims.
KaptainKichigai
Always keep an extra pair of surgical gloves in your wallet just in case!
japanyesterday
so he had enough time and luxury get out his truck after hitting pedestrians then stabbing more than 10 people before attempt was made to stop the guy? what if the cop didnt show up, how many more lives would have been taken?
serindipity
I have got to agree with Fair Dinkum. My father is an ambulance officer and has told me repeatedly - Don't stop at a car accident! Don't try to break up fights! Don't try to help a bleeding person! Of course, you want to, but you are risking your own life in doing so. The only things you should do are, call for assistance, place a blanket over a person and keep the area clear. Ummm.... Why do you think ambulance officers where gloves, masks and goggles? It's got nothing to do with helping a person in need. It's called 'common sense'!
rtrhead1
where, may I ask is he an ambulance officer? I have met many EMT's, police, and firemen/women, and never once, not once have any of them ever said to not help someone. Have you seen how long it often takes for an ambulance to get to the scene of anything? Then again, I have heard many Japanese say, don't break up fights (that one, I don't really disagree with, unless it's really unfair, i.e. a single person is to the point of not being able to defend themself and someone is kicking them.), don't stop to help, someone else will do it. Hmmm, put a blanket over them. Yeah, so if you were bleeding out int the street, would a blanket make you feel better? I hope to God if something ever happens to me or my family, someone with a little bit of common courtesy shows up, because if it is either of you two, I'm screwed.
usaexpat
Good on the two who helped this stabbing victim. I'm not sure how you can comment otherwise? These two did exactly as people are supposed to do for their fellow humans.
serindipity
Have you seen how long it takes to die from HIV or Hep B? Sorry, but I would not put myself in that situation. Help them? Yes! Risk your own life? No way!
westurn
"I've been reading JT for 2 years. This comment finally made me sign up to call out some of the racist, stupidity on this forum. I believe the ratio between foreigners and Japanese is from 1-60 to 1-100. I live in Kawasaki, right next to Tokyo, and every time I step on a train, there is almost always a non-Asian person in the same car."
There ya have it folks... commend the local gaijin for doing well and the nitiwts in the peanut gallery call ya a racist !
What exactly is "racist" about this truth ?
"What is it about this one gaijin (?) that made him beat all those other nihonjin looky loos to the front of the "I'm here to help" line ???"
I ride the trains into Tokyo every morn... I'm pretty much "it" in terms of fellow foreigners in my car all the way to Tokyo, a good hour ride. So its safe to say your 1-100 is about right. So again, with all the Japanese there in Akihabara... what made this guy rush to the scene of what I now understand to be the fallen police officer...thats whose white hat we see. In any case like I said before... ship these photos off to Tokyo Gov. Ishihara and let him rethink his comments on what foreigners wil do to Japanese in cases of crisis ! And moonbeam... put yer race card back in yer pocket... yer overplayin a weak hand !
KitsuneYoukai
rtrhead1...I agree with you. I've worked in an emergency room and 2 hospitals. In medical training and CPR training you are told to stop and help. Especially if you have some type of medical training. If you do not have protective gear readily on you then there are procautions to take when handling injured people. For one, I would stop without even thinking. I could just not stand by and watch or stroll by without a care in the world.
serindipity
Was that my comment? My comment was, do what you can without putting your own life at risk. And, precautions? Yeah, don't touch a bleeding stranger or you risk giving yourself a death sentence for being 'the good Samaritan'.
electric2004
Well, at least in Germany, one needs to have a first aid kit in the car, and this kit needs to include medical gloves against infections.
Some years ago, in Japan I tried hard to get a first aid kit for my car - it seems it is not standard. So - notice to self: check and refill.
About helping - at least I would try. This is what I have learned - at courses from red cross, and also at a free lesson offered to foreigners by the fire-brigade where I live in Ibaraki-ken.
electric2004
I forgot to mention:
It is possible to get an immunisation against 2 types of Hepatitis, which should last for 10 years. Of course I received before going to Japan. It was recommended by the health department of the research center where I worked before.
rtrhead1
serindipity, there is nothing that you can say that would make up for the fact that you would watch him die. there is nothing that you can do to help someone WHO HAS BEEN STABBED without touching him. just admit, that yes, you would stop and offer a kind word. that's all you would do. that's the difference between us. i actually care about helping a human in need call me crazy. you, and whoever gave you your advice are both selfish and cowardly, and it will never change, so, stand aside so the real people can step up and help. and as you said, risk giving yourself a death sentance. when you stand on the sidelines, yes, i guess you are not at "risk" of catching something, but, you are pretty much giving that other person a death sentance because you are afraid. i couldn't live with myself if i just watched. apparently, death to someone else doesn't really strike you, so long as you are safe.
sdf_crew_member
Hypatitis A and B type is curable it's not "C" type which is a "slow death".
1GiantStudMuffi
Good on the two who helped this stabbing victim. I'm not sure how you can comment otherwise? These two did exactly as people are supposed to do for their fellow humans.
nycsamurai
Westurn
Welcome to the crock that is JT. Great opening post! I personally have a suspicion that the news of one of the stabbing victims being hepB positive is complete farcical hype. Why would that information need to be released except to stir up another idiotic discussion between the regulars here.
ka_chan
Unreal, if won't help a person because of possibly catching Hepatitis, then you must not eat raw sea food, raw fruits or vegetables, not go restaurants, don't kiss or anything else, and never had a childhood disease as mumps. As for hep B most adults <60 will cure themselves of it. There is a vaccine for hep B. There are hepatitis A-F. It is better if you use latex gloves but unless you have blood mixture it is unlikely catch Hep B. You do need to clean you hands well. I guess if you are so afraid to live because you may catch something, you must have a miserable life. But then we are due for a pandemic so your fears may be realized but you won't be able to avoid it. BTW, I have never seen an Ambulance in Japan meet the international standard of response of 4 minutes. If some you love stops breathing for that long, you can forget it unless it freezing.
rtrhead1
Hep B is curable, and it usually ends up clearing up on it's own, according to what I've read.
Himajin
nycsamurai, it was on TV last night too. While HepB may not kill you, left untreated it can cause cirrhosis.
One of these solves the problem-- http://cprfacemasks.com/CPRfacemasks.htm
They come as keychains, and some include a pair of gloves as well. The masks in foil pouches fit in a wallet easily.The fire department here also sells them if I remember correctly. My son has a CPR keychain I'll ask him.
This has been a public service announcement from your local Himajin ;-)
NagoyaGaijin
Geeze, the amount of sniping here is just sad.
Two people helped the fallen dude in the picture. GOOD. One is appearantly Asian. One is appearantly caucasian. So what??
The Akihabara incident on Sunday was a terrible tragedy. The policeman who responded to the call did what he could. He made a good arrest. One of the stabbing victims was found to have HepB...bummer, but at least there is treatment. Anyone who gave CPR should get themselves checked out just in case. That is one of the risks of helping people when there is blood or any other bodily fluids involved. Whether or not to take that risk of disease is a personal decision. If a person chooses to directly help, despite the (relatively low, but statistically significant) risk, then good on him or her. If a person chooses not to directly provide assistance because of that risk, I can understand that also. I don't think either choice is "more human" or "more humane" than the other.
nycsamurai
Hopefully the people who don't want to help will be the next victims. But then those who would help would probably be the ones who would have to bail them out. Wonderful world.
timorborder
Good on you nagoya, I agree with your comments about the people who got in there and did something. It doesn't matter if they are Japanese, foreign or martian, the important thing is that they got in there and helped. WIth regard to this hep B issue, so what? If somebody was bleeding out on the pavement, I don't think I would be too worried about checking their medical history, I would be more worried about keeping their intestines in their body. Of course, if the situation was reversed and I was doing the bleeding, it would be nice to think that somebody would come to my assistance and at least hold my hand (especially if I were to cash in my chips).
TheguyNextdoor
Good on those who did help and those who commented on them helping. I served as an EMT for the U.S. Navy, the rule for approaching anything, was insure your safety first, that meant with all the proper gear(for emergency service personnel)!!!!. For those who helped and did what they did, I would have done the same thing at the drop of a hat. How could some of you just sit there and let someone die infront of you, have you had it happen to you before, you will never forget it. Someone said they would put a blanket on the stabbing victim (what the hell is the blanket going to do, you covering them because you believe they shouldn't be seen, or the blanket it self will provide them comfort in their last moments?!) how freaking cowardly, though the blanket my keep them somewhat warmer while in shock, you could at least use a portion of it to help control the bleeding which will give emergency service the time to arrive on scene. People like those who said they would like to help, but were afraid of getting sick, hope that i never get injured around you. Its not about just saving trying to save a life, but as TIMorBorder said "it would be nice to think that somebody would come to my assistance and at least hold my hand (especially if I were to cash in my chips)."