Police on Thursday arrested a 50-year-old man at Osaka Prefectural office after he threatened officials with a sword. Takashi Okano was arrested outside the office at around 11:05 a.m. after he visited the public information department and waved a 73-centimeter-long sword at staff.
Officials said Okano is a frequent visitor and requested a meeting with Osaka Gov Toru Hashimoto on the day. Hashimoto said after the incident, “I'm relieved that nobody was hurt. Since our office is open for everyone, it is difficult to find a balance between security and openness to the public.”
© Japan Today
13 Comments
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tmarie
A little more info is needed on this. Why is he a regular there, what is his issue ad what did he hope to do?? I'm willing to be no job and/or dispatch...
Dennis Bauer
So what was the reason of waving a sword?
AlfGarnett
I reckon they drove him nuts with petty rules and that, or he is a nutcase.
I have been reading that Japanbese authorities aint to good at being caring and understanding. Maybe he blew his top, he just couldn'T handle it no more.
Just speculation, granted, but i wouldn't be surprised if i am right.
Disillusioned
Where is the farm that grows all these nuts? I think it needs its fences fixing.
TokyoGas
This came across the cell phone news flash yesterday and it said that the guy was upset that the subsidy for private schools was being decreased. Whether correct or incorrect, that is what was stated.
meanmutha
To me...it aint that bad man. He is pissed about something.. taxs, neglect, welfare, a chick, a kid, cant afford his nic/booze fix, who knows... at least he didnt have a gun... this crap goes down often with local city halls in the US... anyway sort him out.
Samantha Ueno
LOL, a sword. that's pretty badass. Did he have a costume too?
nath
That's the great thing about Japan - you don't hear about people walking into their job and starting to shoot everyone....Just some crazy with a sword...The worst was when I was in Akihabara and that dude started stabbing people...I hope Japan never changes - some crazy dude with a knife I can handle...some 15yr old with auto-weapons is a little too much for me..
nath
As the guy in Akihabara showed, if someone with a knife or sword really wants to kill people, he can.
Waiving and threatening people (while enough for a very long stretch in prison) shows this guy wasn't really out to kill people.
sensei258
Probably somebody who needed a warm place to stay with meals, in prison.
WilliB
sensei258:
They showed him on TV, together with his S-class Benz coupe, and he did not look starved or lacking money.
nandakandamanda
People like this give swords a bad name.
BBLeo
He will face the shrink for sure. Perhaps his marbles are still in good shape, but because of stress with economy he was trying to avoid getting his own recession. Are swords legal in Japan? If they are than head hunters such as ‘Loan Sharks’ will start to use them soon.