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The recent attack on a Chinese tourist in Japan has sparked outrage on Chinese social media, shedding light on concerns about public safety in the country.
The incident occurred on July 22 when Su Weihao, 53, and his wife were returning to their hotel in Osaka, on Honshu island. As reported by The Mainichi Shimbun, the assailant, brandishing a knife, demanded money while shouting “money, money” and stabbed Su in his left arm and hand. His wife remained unharmed, and the couple sought refuge in a nearby convenience store where customers promptly called the police. The attacker fled the scene empty-handed.
The Osaka police described the suspect as approximately 1.7 meters tall and wearing a white T-shirt. He now faces charges of robbery and personal injury. In the wake of the attack, the Chinese Consulate in Osaka assured that the incident was being handled appropriately and offered assistance to the victims.
The attack has ignited widespread discussions on Chinese social media platforms, with many expressing concern over the perceived decline in public safety in Japan. Data from Japan’s National Police Agency reveals a troubling trend: while crime rates had been declining for two decades following a peak in 2002, they began rising again in 2022. Last year, the country reported 12,372 major crimes, including murder, robbery, indecent assault, and kidnapping, marking a 29.8% increase from the previous year.
One Chinese netizen's post resonated with many, receiving 14,000 likes: “After reading this, I wonder why people don’t appreciate the great landscapes in China. Traveling within our own country is not only comparable to other countries but also safer. There have been similar incidents in the US too.” This comment highlights a growing sentiment among some Chinese citizens to prefer domestic travel over international trips due to safety concerns.
Others drew parallels to the tragic case of Hu Youping, who died while protecting a Japanese mother and her child during a knife attack on a school bus in Suzhou, north of Shanghai, in June. One user remarked, “Two Japanese were stabbed in China, and not only did a Chinese woman sacrifice herself to save them, but the attacker was also caught immediately. Two Chinese people were stabbed in Japan, and not only did no one help, but the attacker is still at large. I remember people saying that stabbing Japanese people would harm the business environment. Will this attack on a Chinese person harm the business environment in Japan?”
Another echoed the sentiment: “It seems that Suzhou has heroes like Hu Youping, but Japan only has indifference!”
Source: SCMP
