Not click-bait

We were walking back from a restaurant in Tenjin when we heard the sirens.

Sirens are a lot scarier in Japan, but perhaps it’s just because we’re not used to them.

There were at least four squad cars driving up and down a main street in Tenjin, almost as if they were looking for someone. My friends and I were confused. What or who could possibly have disturbed the peace?

Later on our walk back, the cop cars were still visible, but everything seemed a bit calmer. Policemen were interviewing bystanders, but since we didn’t speak Japanese, we couldn’t eavesdrop on the conversation.

However, the next morning, I woke up and checked the news to see if my questions would be answered. Why the sirens? Where was the ambulance headed? What happened?

Sure enough, on JapanToday, a news source based out of Tokyo, someone published the story. It turns out that an IT lecturer was stabbed to death shortly after giving a speech in Tenjin. His assailant fled the scene on a bicycle, which explains why the cops were looking out their windows with vigor.

A few hours after the attack, the attacker confessed to his crime in a police station.

Japan is known for their lesser crime rate. It’s safe for residents and visitors alike.

Japan should also be praised for its media coverage. News sources are quick on the scene, but they are also respected by the people, which is something the United States is slacking in.

The story broke on Tokyo-based JapanToday just six hours after the incident occurred. The story had complete details. While Fukuoka is about a six hour Shinkansen ride from Tokyo, it seems that these major cities are better connected than I would’ve assumed.

Alternately, when volcanoes erupted and earthquakes shook the earth beneath us, news sources quickly dispersed the information.

Japan reporters are quick to ensure citizens are well aware of what’s happening. They stick to the facts and disseminate stories in a way that will receive a lot of attention (without being click-bait).