Two men arrested for pouring water from apartment balcony onto people below

Monday 16th March, 09:35 AM JST

TOKYO —

Two men were arrested for assault on Sunday, accused of pouring water from an 11th floor apartment balcony in Minato Ward onto people walking on the street below.

Police said Keitaro Hagiwara, 24, an unemployed man who lives in the apartment, and his friend, Katsunori Yamana, 25, are accused of using a 45-liter bucket to pour water on a 41-year old man and his 3-year-old son at around 1 p.m. on March 10. Police said that there had been five cases reported to police since February of people being drenched in water as they passed the 11-floor apartment block.

Police said that while no one was injured in the reported cases and that it was rare for them to pursue charges relating to splashing or attacking people with water, they noted it was possible someone could be injured and that the incidents had caused concern amongst residents.

Hagiwara and Yamana have admitted to pouring the water from the 30-meter-high balcony, adding that while they did it for fun, they now regret their actions.

News reports

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Latest 15 of 61 Total Comments Show All

khemet at 02:39 PM JST - 17th March

I would probably go to their room and make sure I do something very drastic like kick their knee cap inwards and than boil some water and poor it on them. Hey, you want to play, lets play, right?
khemet at 02:40 PM JST - 17th March

Pour
khemet at 02:46 PM JST - 17th March

Than~then
smithinjapan at 07:04 PM JST - 17th March

For all those people think that simply because they dumped water from a balcony it's not a crime, think again. Water is quite heavy, and at high velocity can do a lot of damage.
Molenir at 03:01 AM JST - 18th March

Apart from that, just dumping water on someone can damage their clothes. Just because you think its a joke, doesn't mean it isn't a crime. It is assault. Regardless of the material being dumped.
TheguyNextdoor at 07:40 AM JST - 18th March

Smith- if you read....no one really knows how the water was poured...it just says it was. It could have come down in trickles...we don't know....so....there needs to be more info.
NwaBiaframassob at 08:13 AM JST - 18th March

When you want us to suffer, we makes you feel the pains.

When you dont want PEOPLE in the society to relate to each other, what do you except??? calling the BLUE BOYS ( POLICE ) Un-necssarily.

Japan here we come.
jessssicaaa at 02:18 PM JST - 18th March

lol i have done that at a small party! was so funny.. but not off a balcony on a 11 story building, was only a 5 story XD
memyselfI at 04:06 PM JST - 18th March

Hey, J Today bloggers. It's a practical joke. It's funny !!! I laughed reading this article. You guys really need to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. It's not an assault !!!! Just like if someone makes fun of your food, your clothes whatever should they get arrested too ???
DentShop at 11:34 PM JST - 18th March

Wow some people need to pull the stick out of their butt and see that this was not so bad. Yeah its irresponsible and juvenile, but come on people...
TheguyNextdoor at 08:53 AM JST - 19th March

MemyselfI & Dentshop-

Thank you!!!
bdiego at 01:21 PM JST - 19th March

Ichya: Firing a gun at someone is a crime even if nobody is injured. Pushing someone off a bridge is a crime even if nobody is injured. Throwing a penny off a skyscraper (which will kill someone) is a crime even if nobody is injured.
likeitis at 02:11 PM JST - 19th March

Yeah, its all fun and games. Until you get home and find out that your keitai is ruined. Or until somebody runs out into traffic and dies because they don't know if you are flinging water, gasoline or sulphuric acid.

Practical jokes are best played on friends, not total strangers.
nylex4 at 01:34 PM JST - 20th March

exactly what this country needs - more acts of randomless fun and mayhem
illsayit at 02:33 PM JST - 22nd March

throwing it at same-aged people, maybe funny, throwing it at some girls to get attention, funny, but definitely wont work, throwing it at your parents after a vebal argument, bound to 'cool' the situation down.....

But, choosing, a father and 3yo son, worrying.