Net users in Japan are in shock today after reading the news of how a blind high school girl in Saitama Prefecture was injured after being viciously kicked by an unknown assailant while making her way to school. This news comes just weeks after it was learned that a guide dog was stabbed three times by a passenger on a crowded train in the same prefecture.
At approximately 7:50 a.m. on the morning of September 8, a first-year high school student was kicked from behind as she made her way to Hanawa Hokiichi Gakuen, a school for the blind and partially sighted.
The Mainichi Shinbun reports that the girl noticed someone’s leg make contact with her cane as she was using it to follow the tactile paving leading out of JR Kawagoe Station to the bus stop, possibly stumbling over it. Seconds later, she was kicked hard in the back of her right knee and fell to the ground.
Although her assailant was neither apprehended nor formally identified, the girl later said that immediately after she had been kicked she heard an onlooker call out, “What are you doing!?” The attacker, however, remained silent as they left the scene.
Net users were as shocked and outraged as you’d imagine:
“This is disgusting. I hope the perpetrator gets a harsh punishment.”
“Surely this was caught on CCTV?”
“First that guide dog and now this; what is going on?”
“There are some genuinely heartless people out there.”
“The person who called out or witnessed this should go to the police.”
“I had no idea what was happening; I was so scared,” the girl told the Mainichi, “I’ve had people grumble about tripping on my white cane in the past, but I never thought someone would lash out like that.”
After being examined by a doctor, it was confirmed that the girl’s leg was not fractured. It will, however, take several weeks to heal completely.
Source: The Mainichi Shinbun, Itai News
Feature image (used for illustrative purposes only) via TJF
Artist for manga cancelled after junior high school girl’s groping makes first public comment
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
Final Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
Nintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]
Woman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
This historical Kyoto zen garden is hosting a guitar and beatbox concert
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa