If you saw someone you thought was murder suspect Tatsuya Ichihashi on the street, in a restaurant or on a train, for example, realistically speaking, what would you do?

Sunday 08th November, 03:00 AM JST

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combinibento at 08:26 AM JST - 9th November

Agreed, this is a silly question. if we genuinely thought it was the perp, we would call the cops. Assuming JT wants "serious answers" as they insist above, the only serious answer is to call the cops. Sure, we fantasize about beating him, but the cops would only arrest us instead of him. This is a no-brainer.
societymike at 08:39 AM JST - 9th November

Would never happen anyway. It's not as if this guy is relaxing at the local Cafe, he is well hidden, probably staying in-doors most of the time and is doing a very good job at it.
Miyaratmosphere at 08:42 AM JST - 9th November

The fact that a gaijin attacked a Japanese would bring the cops running like speeding bullets.

Hell yeah...I wouldn't even bother...No way!!!
papasmurfinjapan at 09:30 AM JST - 9th November

My first instinct of course is to call the cops. But I must admit I have a (probably unfounded) suspicion that any call from a foreigner reporting this wouldn't be treated with the seriousness and immediacy that a call from a Japanese person would.

soooo

If I was with my wife or another Japanese friend, I'd probably ask them to call the cops instead.
dammit at 09:30 AM JST - 9th November

I normally have my 2 year old with me, and I don't speak Japanese, so my reaction would have to be determined by other circumstances.

If there was barely anyone around, I'd pretend not to notice him. I'd try to remember his clothing and general appearance and make a note of it at the first opportunity. I'd get my hubby to call the cops later, because no matter what anyone claims I'd bet they'd never have an English speaker available when you need one.

If there were many people around, I'd make sure we were at least a few metres away from him and then I'd shout his name J-style "Ichihashi Tatsuya!" and point. If he ran it'd surely be certain it was him. If he came for us I'd try to put a few Japanese people in between us and him. If he just looked somewhat surprised it'd probably be someone else anyway but I'd let the Japanese deal with it.
Altria at 09:33 AM JST - 9th November

Call out "♪Tat-chan♪", and if he turns around punch him in the face.
Damien15 at 10:25 AM JST - 9th November

I'd call cops on my mobile and take him down and sit on him until cops arrive.
dokachin at 10:58 AM JST - 9th November

He is also worth a bit of money so it would be a good idea to call 110 even if it takes a while to communicate. If it's safe to do so follow him.
onewrldoneppl at 02:53 PM JST - 9th November

follow him back to his hideout/lair and the call the media from my mobile phone to negotiate the price. once i've collected my money, fade into thin air and let the media deal with the cops. safely, contentedly spend my ill-gotten gains @ RAKUTEN's website or Seijo Ishii.
Junnama at 03:03 PM JST - 9th November

Call the police I guess...
nisegaijin at 05:38 PM JST - 9th November

Nothing, I am face blind.
memyselfI at 09:37 PM JST - 9th November

First of all, I would make sure he's the right guy. I will call out his name many times. If he runs or moves quickly I would capture him. He has the body of a skinny junior high school girl. So i would literally carry him to the police station tied up/ knocked out/ bruised and bloody/ a couple of teeth missing/ whatever kind of retaliation he does.
memyselfI at 09:39 PM JST - 9th November

i guarntee he is walking with surgical mask. if he is wearing one, this question is frivoulous.
Hirota56 at 12:14 AM JST - 10th November

It truly is a ridiculous question. If it really was him, we should all souround(sic) him and do a citizens arrest. By all, I mean Japanese nationals too. One rotten apple spoils the whole bunch.
fishy at 01:18 PM JST - 10th November

what a dumb question -- call the police, whatelse would you do.