WHY ????

[disgruntled]

I see , after the human tragedy in Akihabara , that the Japanese knife makers and importers in Seki city have now agreed to stop manufacture (for local consumption) and imports of so called "Survival/Outdoor/Hunting knives" . A couple of months ago there was an investigation into a brand of rubber sandle , several people were injured when their sandles got caught in escalators . It was decided to officially ask the manufacturer to redesign the sandle and change the material so as to make the sandle safer for use on escalators . This practice of blaming inanimate objects or the design of the objects for accidents has been going on since I arrived in Japan 10 years ago . To name a few : Paper Shredders , Revolving Doors , Stairwell Bannisters , Childrens Playground Equipment ( Merrygorounds , swings ) and now we can add sandles and knives to the list .
This is the most ignorant approach to daily accidents I have ever seen ( I've livid in several countries on different continents) . In my 50 years on this revolving sphere I have never seen a gun load itself and shoot something , a knife jump off a table and stab someone or a pair of sandles deliberately injure the wearer out of malice .
It's time to wake up , blame the lack of common sense , just plain stupidity or the mental instability of the people for the accidents or deliberate acts of violence .
Remember , the nut in Akihabara first used a rental truck in his assault , then proceeded to get out of the truck and use a knife to continue . Are we now to assume that rental trucks are dangerous . By that reasonning pens and pencils are also to be considered murderous implements .
Instead of the powers of governance spending tax revenues on moronic investigations , rather use the money to promote a new awareness , " the individual is responsible for their own stupidity and should bare the consequences of their actions without blame of others , environment or inanimate objects .
Seriously , WAKE UP . Living in the most protected and mollycoddled nation in the world has created a society of whingers and whinnners .

[ASHIKAGA]

I agree with you on the point that it is the person not the knife/gun that kills.

However, when it comes to children's sandals, playground equipments, revolving doors, staicase banisters, etc., they are a bit different. It is like adding some extra safety features on... a car for example. It is like reinforcing the frame or improving the quality of the glass for better visibility to make it safer. I don't see anything wrong in that.

[disgruntled]

Agreed , saftey improvements are sometimes needed . Plug the hole in the Merrygoround , put a saftey skirt on the escalators or raise the hight of the banisters . Removing the Merrygorounds and swings or insisting that the sandle manufacturer ( BTW, they were adults that got injured ) redesign the sandle perpetuates the idea that government sould bare the responsibility for it's citizens . What ever happened to choice ? The child chose to put his/her finger in the hole on the merrygoround , where was the parent ? A child gets crushed by a revolving door ( tragically ) , where was the parent ? It's time for people to accept responsibility for their own actions ....

[Tokis-Phoenix]

As far as i'm aware, the majority of knife crimes committed in any country are committed using kitchen knives rather than daggers or outdoors/hunting/survival knives.
I think Japan's actions on this incident in this sense are ridiculous- i can only assume they are doing this because they want to be seen to be doing something on the issue.
But the real issue is why people in Japanese society do stuff like this- availability of different types of knives is not the problem, its the social and cultural pressures that Japanese people experience in their everyday lives which lead to people going nuts like this which is the problem.

There have been so many gas-suicides recently, its obvious that there are a fair amount of people that want to kill themselves in Japanese society and jump at the opportunity to do so when people start talking about certain methods which are supposedly easy to kill oneself with. With the increase of knife attacks and knife attack suicides, i think it is not dissimilar to the gas-suicide craze thats going on right now- depressed people are looking for and planning a way to leave this world before their natural time to do so.
The worrying thing is that people seem to be planning these things far in advance, meticulously researching these things, instead of seeking proper help for their problems. Why do these people feel they can't seek help for these issues of theirs? That is the real problem in Japanese society.

[mael]

Yes of course it is ridiculous when taken at face value.

I believe the 'incident' and others like it are welcomed by people in lofty positions in government.

If there is an opportunity to screw the ratchet another click towards a nanny-state then anything will do.

This ridiculous solution to the problem of people smashing their cars into shoppers and pedestrians and then leaping out with a knife in each hand is a welcomed event to those who want ever more control over our lives.

Well I won't be concerned about it as I can forge a leaf-spring of a car into whatever shape I want, sharpen it and put a handle on it myself. - Those so-called 'hunting knives' are probably of dubious quality anyhow. I'm someone who would use such an item as I do a lot of work in my jungle of a garden - built in terraces up a mountain.

So which segment of the populace appreciates this gesture of banning another useful item? Apart from the immediate relatives of the victims?

... and the sheep will soon forget and won't even remember when it was possible to have bought a 'hunting knife.' The less catatonic of the dear sheep might learn about people being able to purchase outdoor knives in a book which describes an age which is altogether less civilised, and everyone will be reassured. And people like me who can find good uses for such knives, who are positively averse to butchering pedestrians, will probably be given a wide berth and eyed suspiciously.

[Bunshinsaba]

I see , after the human tragedy in Akihabara , that the Japanese knife makers and importers in Seki city have now agreed to stop manufacture (for local consumption) and imports of so called "Survival/Outdoor/Hunting knives" .

If it helps to curb random attacks, then why not? I think this is a good thing. It is afterall, just a hunting knife. It won't exactly be missed from the shelves of Akihabara.

Common sense and moronic government spending has nothing to do with this issue whatsoever. The first role of government is to maintain stability. Sure the number of "hunting knife" murders is probably pretty low, but it would be even lower if hunting knives were not around. That very notion - true or not - makes people feel safer. And that is whta the government strives for. I mean, the Akihabara guy choose the location because of a plethora of "easy tagets". In a place such as that.. it might be a good idea to limit the amount of easily accessible weapons.

[mael]

You can make something foolproof. But you cant make anything safe from maliciousness.

Removing (hunting) knives might make a few shallow-thinking people reassured. If you want to make everything safe then you'd eventually have everyone in straight-jackets, high on pharmaceuticals and guarded 100% of the time.

Removing hunting knives but not banning cars? People have trains and buses! They can walk!

Let's have cameras everywhere like in the UK! That's a really safe place now, isn't it? Banning guns made the nations where it has happened into places where only those with criminal intent have them, and the crime rate is soaring into the stratosphere. (UK/Oz & in the parts of the US where it has been effected)

... Still! The guy who went nuts and ran-over and knifed those people in Akihabara was on prescribed meds, right?

[Bunshinsaba]

You can make something foolproof. But you cant make anything safe from maliciousness.

Your missing the poitical picture. Forget logic, what will work, what won't and actually solving the problem. This whole issue is about ONE thing only - votes.

This issue and policy at hand - banning hunting knives - is not about whether it will make Tokyo a safer place, despite the fact that it may curb one or two random attacks with hunting knives over the next ten years. This policy is about the government making itself look as if it's trying to make Tokyo a safer place; to the general populace, I mean. The loonies, crazies, criminal element, and the government KNOW it's not.

The same thing in the UK. Cameras weren't installed to catch criminals and reduce the crime; they were installed to make people THINK they would catch criminals and reduce crime. And when the people catch on that it doesn't work... the UK government will devise some other smoke screen tactic. It's no different in Tokyo. This month the fight against crime is banning hunting knives. Next month the government will come up with something else. But not crobars... they were banned from public display sometime ago.

Bottom line.. crime will always exist and governements know this. All they can do is come up with little plans that make them look as if they are trying to solve the problem... when in fact all they are REALLY doing is trying to look as if they are trying to look as if they are trying to solve the problem. ie... we all know its bullsh*t, they know we know, but have no choice but to keep coming up with pointless plans because... well.. that's government.

[Mike Cash]

It is a meaningless and asinine gesture, such as is common as a 再発防止対策 in Japan for practically anything you care to mention.

When there are crimes involving knives in Japan they most commonly involve kitchen knives. Are they going to stop making those too?

[Pepe]

It is an asinine approach used in most of the developed world, not just Japan. The reason is that it is easier to blame an inanimate object and either modify it or ban it, than address the actual social issue as such an approach is more complex and time-consuming.

Unfortunately the vast majority of people are stupid and do not understand that quick fixes only patch holes in a dam, but they will not prevent it from eventually crumbling.

[Derfel]

They should only use swords, you can't hide those lol.

[Glenski]

disgruntled,
Your diatribe contains mixed messages.

You lumped safety measures with weapons. Thankfully, you recognized that after a post or two. Consumers are becoming (slowly) aware that they can effect change in Japan to improve the safety of things. Sadly, it sometimes takes a serious accident to do it.

What gets me is when you see companies (like Mitsubishi) deliberately hiding safety problems like those with their tires.

And, then, no matter what you do, there will always be the maniacs like the guy in Akihabara, and the real Darwin Award winners like those people who "modified" their space heaters only to cause fires and/or asphyxiation.

[mael]

Your missing the poitical picture. Forget logic, what will work, what won't and actually solving the problem. This whole issue is about ONE thing only - votes.

* I'm not missing the political picture. You merely dismiss my view and see only yours. It's nice to see you have at least a modicum of cynicism.

This issue and policy at hand - banning hunting knives - is not about whether it will make Tokyo a safer place, despite the fact that it may curb one or two random attacks with hunting knives over the next ten years. This policy is about the government making itself look as if it's trying to make Tokyo a safer place; to the general populace, I mean. The loonies, crazies, criminal element, and the government KNOW it's not.

* You write as if this has not already been mentioned. But you clearly understand the basic situation.

The same thing in the UK. Cameras weren't installed to catch criminals and reduce the crime; they were installed to make people THINK they would catch criminals and reduce crime.

* I have always known this. Perhaps British sarcasm and irony is difficult for you to comprehend?

And when the people catch on that it doesn't work... the UK government will devise some other smoke screen tactic.

* That'd be subcutaneous implants. Luckily for the Brits, it's occuring at an ever-increasing pace. - All for their benefit of course.

It's no different in Tokyo. This month the fight against crime is banning hunting knives. Next month the government will come up with something else. But not crobars... they were banned from public display sometime ago.
Bottom line.. crime will always exist and governements know this. All they can do is come up with little plans that make them look as if they are trying to solve the problem... when in fact all they are REALLY doing is trying to look as if they are trying to look as if they are trying to solve the problem. ie... we all know its bullsh*t, they know we know, but have no choice but to keep coming up with pointless plans because... well.. that's government.

* Indeed.

* And the governments of the nations with clout are being issued with and encouraged to use the new types of EM weapons including so-called non-lethal weapons. Without the information on how to protect one's self from Electro-Magnetic weapons the 'authorities' posess the means by which to incapacitate any number of people or even one. - And I don't recommend a tin-foil hat.

* As the peons find themselves less prone to self-expression and ever-more tethered, regulated and spied on, the machines of the behemoth Global Government shall be fine-tuned and tighten the ratchet of tyrannical rule for those self-elected dynastical wealthy families who control the major financial centres of the world.

I wonder if they'll actually do it this time?

[FrustratedDave]

* I'm not missing the political picture. You merely dismiss my view and see only yours.
Again, like I said before, people in glass houses should not throw stones...

[Glenski]

How did we get onto the topic of EM weapons and government use...? Oh, yeah. mael!

Please try to stay on topic. Akihabara, knives, accidents.

[alantin]

Whatta heck is wrong with you people!!


But the real issue is why people in Japanese society do stuff like this- availability of different types of knives is not the problem, its the social and cultural pressures that Japanese people experience in their everyday lives which lead to people going nuts like this which is the problem.


I wonder if social pressure is the only thing that causes people to snap..
I just read an article about a recent incident here. An 18 year old lad stabbed to death a 14 year old girl. The lad had been unemployed and done basically nothing since finishing elementary school..

There must be something else to it too.

[Dutch Baka]

Let's continue with the topic :okashii:

[FrustratedDave]

How did we get onto the topic of EM weapons and government use...? Oh, yeah. mael!

Please try to stay on topic. Akihabara, knives, accidents.
Could someone explain how EM weapons and government use is relevant?

[Glenski]

It's not relevant, Dave.

But, to get back on topic, last night the TV news reported another attack by a child on a parent, this time using a knife. Horrible. The night before, they were outwardly happy and cooking together, and the next she stabs him (father).
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080720a2.html

Lots of repressed feelings in this country. Too bad this situation couldn't have been solved with a knife law, because it happened at home, I think.

This one, too, where the 3rd grade JHS girl stabbed her father with a fruit knife over an argument about what to watch on TV!
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20021222a8.html

This 15-yr-old stabbed for attention with a newly purchased kitchen knife.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040813b5.html

Here, an 11-yr-old kills her 12-yr-old friend in school!
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20040613t1.html

And, a 15-yr-old boy slashes his father and sister (not to death) in their sleep.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040824a5.html

[Annubis]

Learning about how precious and beautiful life is, is always difficult, and well, some want to jump into the fire. I killed a poor canary when I was 3 years old by squeezing it to death. I thought it was interesting and a bit fun. I had no idea that life was something fleeting and special. My dad came to me and explained how precious life is after he scolded me. I think it begins in the family and/or proper examples, support systems and role modles.

[Otenba]

I agree with Disgruntled.

Ofcourse, it's also a very convenient way to circumvent thinking about what to do about the causes of many of those cases of amok runners. On new year's eve, some Japanese VIP appeared on TV talking about suicide and people snapping and killing in Japanese society and his suggestion was that society should become a more warm, human society. I think that would be a better approach than banning survival knives and re-designing frying pans.

As for escalators and sandals, let's say idiots will always pop up and get hurt in situations any normal person cannot possibly get hurt. Common sense and basic caution are easily applied and can save lives and manufacturers.

A society that keeps producing people that stab/run over/bash/bully-to-death/commit suicide has larger problems than survival tools. But addressing those problems would be a pain in the rear end, so let's just blame it on knives and video games!

[bluepilot]

I think that this whole new 'brand' health and saftey is pedantic and shallow.

Not so much about protecting people but 'so they cannot sue us afterwards'

It really takes the fun out of life.

However, I think it is natural that a company would improve its products. I mean, if you bought sandals, and they got stuck in an elevator, you would never buy that brand again right?

As for the hunting knife thing...if people are going to kill someone, there are various means of doing so and banning or stopping to provide something that has been used as a weapon is silliness.

And very few knifes are sharper than sushu ones. Should we ban sushi because it can lead to violent crimes?

On the other hand, I am very very happy and think that countries are safer when guns are illegal.

Sorry America.