Get more hurt

‘Life is not about how much hurt you can give; Life is about how much hurt you can get’

Rocky Balboa

Forecast 2011: The perceived crime threat in Japan

January 2, 2011 — Tokyo
Writer: Fiona Wilson

It was not just the news itself, but the sickening familiarity of it all: a Japanese bus station in the morning rush hour, buses jammed with passengers and a 27-year-old man with a knife. His motive remains obscure; his victims, so far as one can tell, were complete strangers to him. But by the time his stabbing rampage came to an end, 13 people had been injured, 11 of them schoolchildren.

As Japanese digested the news of the latest indiscriminate knife attack they were asking themselves how this kind of thing could happen – yet again. For the half century following the war, Japan prided itself on being the most law-abiding country in the industrialised world. In the last decade, every few months seem to bring new reports of motiveless brutality, often by alarmingly young people. The question prompted by the latest incident is not “what is wrong with him?” but “what is wrong with us?”

Various explanations are offered for this apparent surge in violence, most of them connected with the social changes which have taken place in post-war Japan. Two generations ago, Japanese children grew up in large extended families; today, families are smaller, and many children grow up alone and isolated. Commentators also point to the influence of Japan’s mania for gadgetry, saying it encourages young people to spend time alone with video games or to communicate via their mobile phones rather than meeting in person. Without friends or social skills, it is argued, many young people have no release except through violence.

But another news story a few hours before the bus station massacre reveals the so-called surge in violent crime is actually an illusion. Far from painting a picture of despondency and a crime-ridden future for Japan, it turns out the opposite is true. According to Japan’s National Police Agency, the number of recorded crimes has fallen to the lowest in 23 years.

Between January and November last year, 1,465,223 cases were reported during the period, down 6.9 per cent from the previous year, the eighth consecutive year in which crime has declined. Murders and attempted murders have also declined to record levels, with 988 cases in the first 11 months of last year, a 2.8 per cent decline.

Offences like muggings, burglary and drug dealing, which city dwellers in the rest of the world have learned to accept as part of everyday life, are between four and eight times lower than in the West. By every measure, Japan is the safest and least crime-ridden country on earth – and it is becoming safer every year.

“Young Japanese probably murder the fewest people of any youth worldwide,” Mariko Hasegawa, a professor of evolutionary biology at Tokyo’s Waseda University, has said. “It is because murders in general have become so unusual that cases involving people who seem to have personality disorders stand out.”

Japanese citizens, all the statistics say, have every reason to feel more secure in 2011. The epidemic which Japan faces is not one of crime itself, but the fear of crime, fuelled by the media.

It was not just the news itself, but the sickening familiarity of it all: a Japanese bus station in the morning rush hour, buses jammed with passengers and a 27-year-old man with a knife. His motive remains obscure; his victims, so far as one can tell, were complete strangers to him. But by the time his stabbing rampage came to an end, 13 people had been injured, 11 of them schoolchildren.

As Japanese digested the news of the latest indiscriminate knife attack, they were asking themselves how this kind of thing could happen – yet again. For the half century following the war, Japan prided itself on being the most law-abiding country in the industrialised world. In the last decade, every few months seem to bring new reports of motiveless brutality, often by alarmingly young people. The question prompted by the latest incident is not “what’s wrong with him?” but “what’s is wrong with us?”

Various explanations are offered for this apparent surge in violence, most of them connected with the social changes which have taken place in post-war Japan. Two generations ago, Japanese children grew up in large extended families; today, families are smaller, and many children grow up alone and isolated. Commentators also point to the influence of Japan’s mania for gadgetry, saying it encourages young people to spend time alone with video games or to communicate via their mobile phones rather than meeting in person. Without friends or social skills, it is argued, many young people have no release except through violence.

But another news story a few hours before the bus station massacre reveals the so-called surge in violent crime is actually an illusion. Far from painting a picture of despondency and a crime-ridden future for Japan, it turns out the opposite is true. According to Japan’s National Police Agency, the number of recorded crimes has fallen to the lowest in 23 years.

Between January and November last year, 1,465,223 cases were reported during the period, down 6.9 per cent from the previous year, the eighth consecutive year in which crime has declined. Murders and attempted murders have also declined to record levels, with 988 cases in the first 11 months of last year, a 2.8 per cent decline.

Offences like muggings, burglary and drug dealing, which city dwellers in the rest of the world have learned to accept as part of everyday life, are between four and eight times lower than in the West. By every measure, Japan is the safest and least crime-ridden country on earth – and it is becoming safer every year.

“Young Japanese probably murder the fewest people of any youth worldwide,” Mariko Hasegawa, a professor of evolutionary biology at Tokyo’s Waseda University, has said. “It is because murders in general have become so unusual that cases involving people who seem to have personality disorders stand out.”

Japanese citizens, all the statistics say, have every reason to feel more secure in 2011. The epidemic which Japan faces is not one of crime itself, but the fear of crime fuelled by the media.

Grasp the moment

On the first night shift I had the worst (busiest) time for 3 years. Is there any implication of what I am going to have in the coming year – busy as hell ?

2010 was a year to expect, and i am quite sure that 2011 will be a year to give your best, because it’s a year of development. And I know it’s important to grasp the every moment to learn and grow.

Fading

Why don’t just leave all the emotion here?

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Days are turning cooler and cooler, and my grip, that once believed to last forever, is starting to break down more and more.

With various incidence happening for some period I though I could overwhelm. I always think if the problem happens to me it’s just a piece of cake to solve with secoonds, but in fact, it does not work to others. Eventually, I found it’s not overwhelmed at all. When things go in this way undoubtedly you will think whether it’s the things’ problem or my problem.

I have tried to fix, yet things already turn in the way that no matter how hard you are going to try, it is already irreversible and I find releasing the grip may be beneficial than continual research of the problem.

I never want to see the end, but in light of such situation, I am seeing now.

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Life has got to be with ups and downs. No doubt, the length of time on downs are subjectively and objectively longer, so basically life is about how you cope with the pain and hurt, rather than enjoy happiness and love.

Lest you are crumbled by the city, you have got to be strong enough to fight for the pain and hurt. Living in dream, hoping for miracle are only for weakness. In the city, the most reliable to save you is yourself.

That’s always my belief. If one day my self-rescue has caused you any damage, sorry, but I can’t help. You have got to sink. You are the weaker one, the loser.

Give myself a break

Just two shifts and I felt being a in charge person of  ward has pressure that is not easy to handle.  Fast-thinking, clear-minded, good co-ordination are some of the key components I identified as ‘very important’ .

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Back-breaking after all the cases are handled to the pm IC.

Soaked myself in water for an hour.

The fantastic Barcelona

Even how manic you are with your favourite football team, you have to admit Barcelona is playing the best football. They are displaying the best ingredient of football - team play. Keep passing, no-ball run, adding to their exquisite talent, made even Real Mardrid succumb to them with biggest loss.

As Manutd fans, I am loving Barcelona.