Britain warns nationals in Tokyo after death threats to pupils

Thursday 31st July, 06:26 AM JST

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RepublicofTexas at 11:36 AM JST - 31st July

I sympathize with Britain's position, but it's not like these sickos are specifically targeting British women.
Sarge at 11:40 AM JST - 31st July

"Typical Japanese thug"

We don't know if the author of these letters were written by a Japanese.
Zen_Builder at 11:56 AM JST - 31st July

The thread is NOT against british pupils but against all pupils(japanese, british, american, etc).

The british embassy just issued a general warning, yeah it happens worldwide. Heck, I got the same warnings from my goverment even though I am not even living close to the area.

If you ask around other non-japanese & japanese will have gotten the same warning.

I remember after the last major event teachers/instructors at creches/schools got special training on using a certain tool/MA weapon to take down a potential attacker.
WilliB at 11:56 AM JST - 31st July

Ridiculous. They should be concerned about the massive amounts of crime in Britain, instead of this nonsense.
FairandBalanced at 11:59 AM JST - 31st July

WilliB- heck!!! it`s great to see a government concerned about its citizens safety. What is wrong with that?
delitachan at 12:04 PM JST - 31st July

What on earth? Why did Britain feel the need to warn it's own residence like that? Is the target British people? Good god, I'd be scared to live in Minato-ku right now :o
smithinjapan at 12:42 PM JST - 31st July

Wow... so the guy/gal's upset about the local hospital.... yep, sounds on par with the usual recent Japanese guidelines on 'why to go on a stabbing rampage'. Lunacy!

And as usual, the bumbling J-cops just can't figure out any steps to take to prevent anything; just the usual 'let's wait until the bodies are reported' mentality. Seriously, it should not at all be hard to trace where the letters were mailed out from, since there were be a stamp indicating which post office sorted the mail before sending. If it's from random post offices, it should be hard to predict which one(s) could be sent from next, post a couple of officers in the area to watch for suspicious persons, etc. May not find the person responsible, but at least it's taking some steps towards doing so. I'm sure so far all their 'investigation' consists of so far are the fact given to them by the British embassy, and some speech something like this:

British Rep.: So, officers, have you made any progress on the issue at hand. Officer #1: What issue is that (watching the Koshien game on the TV behind the British man). BR: Umm... sir...we were talking about the threats to-- Officer #1: DAMNIT! No why the HELL would he swing at that! (to officer #2). Kawabe, did you see that! It's no wonder TOIN always loses in the end! #$%&! BR: Sir... this is very serious. Officer #1: Damn RIGHT it's serious! I pay an arm and a leg for my kid to go-- heh sorry about that. Now, you're hear to report about what? BR: (getting visibly agitated) As you know very well, I am here to ask you about progress made on the issue of the threats made to British Citizens in Minato Ward by some lunatic in the area. Now... what are you doing to find this guy?! Officer #1: (calling over Officer #2) Now hold on here just a minute. I don't appreciate your tone. Kawabe, go check this man's bicycle and make sure it's actually his; I'll file the paper work (exit Kawabe). Name please! and foreign registration card! BR: What paperwork?! Officer #1: We believe you have a stolen bicycle. BR: I DROVE here!! Officer #2: (leaning head in front door) Sir? There's no bicycle out here. Only a car with funny looking plates. Officer #1: Funny plates, huh? BR: They're diplomatic plates, sir, and I don't see what that has to do with-- Officer #1: Where did you say you're from again? BR: THE BRITISH EMBASSY! Officer #1: I see. Well, everything's in order here, sir... we're on the case. BR: So what have you done towards catching the guy? Officer #1: What guy? BR: The man who threatened all the students in Minato Ward!!! Officer #1: Ah, him! I'm afraid we cannot actually do anything until any crime is committed... Now... you came here to report a stolen bike... please?

a... getting a bit long-winded.
Suwon at 01:11 PM JST - 31st July

its really sad. All these psychological problems are arriving due to deep rooted culture- Gaman suru... ie to endure...endure ...n endure! Small small tensions get piled up... n erupt like volcano. Japanese people are peace loving but to maintain so called "Wa" at the cost of own mental peace. I hope people learn to become more open n talk freely about their problems to the family members, friends or concerned authority. Rather than taking such an extreme means to solve the problems.
wibble at 01:21 PM JST - 31st July

This affected my daughter at her local school, whch was also named a target. Several letters were sent from one postal district over two days threataning the children to bring attention to teh poor care received in a local hospital.

We had a phone call straight away from the school, all kids were kept on premesis to be picked up directly and the next day all parents had armbands to wear identifying them. Police were posted at the bottom of the hill, at the school entrance and up the hill.

In all fairness to the police, and the school, I don't know what else they could be doing. Communication was excellent and I think teh response appropriate.
DXXJP at 03:56 PM JST - 31st July

Armbands, lanyards, vehicle decals, what next???

Im the only white guy with half white kids at school, sometimes it feels like a nazi check point just trying to pick them up. The school cant remember you from one day to the next but they sure do remember you when they want something.
usaexpat at 11:32 PM JST - 31st July

So the British embassy is warning its citizens about some nutter's threatening letters eh? So are the Jpanese police or anyone else warning their own citizens? Highlighting a problem with a hospital by killing elementary school kids isn't usually well recieved, I hope they find this guy before he acts.
bushlover at 06:57 AM JST - 1st August

And as usual, the bumbling J-cops just can't figure out any steps to take to prevent anything.

And what would you do? Anyway this article doesn't mention what measures have been taken by the police only what warning the British gave to their citizens here. You will always drag things into it before knowing facts.
Youdontknow at 11:23 PM JST - 1st August

If the psycho is Japanese, then he or she is in for a surprise if they think scare tactics will work with Brits. Unlike the Japanese, we don't shout at our enemy, we hit first and THEN shout!

Don't ask the J-cops for help...they can't help themselves, never mind guests in their country!
bushlover at 11:28 AM JST - 4th August

Brits leap before they think? Or do they just don't think?
sageb1 at 03:40 PM JST - 16th September

Someone needs to lay off the white rice, and respect the holy five grains instead of fussing with the Brits!