Man slashed on Tokyo street

Friday 16th October, 03:03 AM JST

TOKYO —

A 22-year-old man was slashed by a man wielding an edged tool in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Thursday night, police said Friday. The attack occurred around 9 p.m. in Higashi-Azabu, police said, adding that the assailant fled on a bicycle.

According to police, the assailant—who is described as being around 40 years old and wearing a white face mask—approached the victim from behind when he was getting into a car and
suddenly cut him on his right arm. The injury was 12 cm wide and 3 cm deep, police said.

News reports

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Latest 15 of 25 Total Comments Show All

ratpack at 04:06 PM JST - 16th October

I'll bet the get out of prison free card the attacker was japanese.
Mookoo at 04:28 PM JST - 16th October

We can be almost certain the assailant is Japanese. The police tend to mention it when there is even the slightest possibility a foreigner is the suspect.
truthliberates at 04:43 PM JST - 16th October

I began reading this paper a couple of years ago after finding it while googling. Up until a couple of months ago I read it on occasion, but now I read it daily. It seems as though violent crime has increased significantly in Japan over the last few months. Am I correct?
sasukene at 05:08 PM JST - 16th October

Anyone know where this happened? I live and work in Minato.
nisegaijin at 05:10 PM JST - 16th October

Too many people playing computer games combined with too many people who walk down the street permanently glued to their keitais, or just show a general lack of consideration to others is turning into a violent mix.

What the hell does playing computer games or being glued to keitai has anything to do with a random nutjob stabbing people?

Where in minatoku did this happen? i am concerned...
flatearther at 05:15 PM JST - 16th October

@nisegaijin- Couldn't agree more. Would really love more details on the location.

Moderator: The attack happened in Higashi-Azabu.
BurakuminDes at 05:34 PM JST - 16th October

It is quite possibly a "payback" of some sort, rather than a random attack as I (and maybe others) first assumed. Perhaps a warning of some sort...hell, it was only yesterday I read here that a bunch of guys had been arrested for hacking up some corpses allegedly a result of gang related crime. But then again, random violence is occurring more and more too.
isthistheend at 06:26 PM JST - 16th October

Whoever is not living in Japan, cannot understand this type of random action. But if you live here, and your a foreigner (heh heh, that's one thing we have in common right?), you can easily understand, nay, almost come weiry that this type of action is very close to happening all around us at any moment. Well maybe a slight exaggeration, but if you think the mood and manners of this country is like it was in the days of yore, your smoking things that are legal in Denmark.
auntplum at 06:51 PM JST - 16th October

@BurakuminDes and @ nisegaijin, I understand that it is difficult to accept that Japan is in crises, but this is quite clearly the only way to describe the current health of the nation. Time after time after time, when the perpetrators of these crimes are caught they give the same reason for their selection of target - 'It could have been anyone, I just wanted to hurt someone'. As Richard_III correctly intimates, if people from a young age spend little time forming relationships with others, preferring instead to cocoon themselves in a world of virtual reality, their perception of others will differ from what would typically be deemed healthy. The lack of peer relationships also plays a part in this. These attacks are perpetrated by people who have little sense of empathy for others, viewing fellow human beings as mere objects.

If you prefer to interact with a cartoon than a real person; if you prefer to pay a woman to flatter you than to develop yourself so that you become a person that is interesting to be with; if you prefer to spend time with your kohai than your peers because he will hang off your every word even though he could outperform you in a heartbeat if he wanted to, the backbone that keeps you this side of right and wrong when the chips are down just doesn't develop. Times are hard. It is a rainy day. Something has to give.
anderstungtwist at 07:31 PM JST - 16th October

This could never happen to me. I've read too many crime novels.
ReikiZen at 07:50 PM JST - 16th October

I can see where this is going. Since the man was wearing a mask people automatically assume it must have been a foreigner. When the hell is Japan going to quit always seeing itself as the victim!! If it was a foreigner then I likely will be hearing it on national news. Otherwise you won't hear it being anything more then a pin drop. I get so tired of this. I actually support Japan kicking U.S. out as then maybe they will take some responsibility for their own actions. Nah no chance of that happening. Making it illegal for foreigner to even be in the country will likely be what is needed. Although I suppose Japan will always find a way to make itself out the victim here. It just boggles my mind how a society can be so naive to believe that none of it's citizens are capable of committing such crimes. Until Japan addresses the issue or that it is even an issue things will only get worse.
Triple888 at 10:55 PM JST - 16th October

Yakuza activity this is.
Sarge at 11:25 PM JST - 16th October

Yet another nutter.
yourock at 01:27 AM JST - 17th October

as Sarge said. One more nutter on the loose.
nemoflow at 03:32 AM JST - 17th October

This is all a dream.