
The sound of an ambulance siren could never be considered something pleasant, but it’s not really something the average person hates. It’s annoying, but then again it’s meant to be annoying–and it’s usually part of rescuing someone in need. We may not like it, but we certainly do appreciate it.
So, while most people may cringe and cover their ears when an ambulance goes screeching by, we doubt anyone would actually get mad and try to assault one!
Unless you happen to be this university lecturer…
Last week, 54-year-old Tetsuji Hirayama, a lecturer from Tsukuba University in Ibaraki Prefecturer, was arrested for interfering with public servants in the execution of their duties. Which is a somewhat vague offence that could cover a lot of ground–but in Hirayama’s case it was specifically for assaulting (for lack of a better word) ambulances.
▼Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Over the last six years, since 2008, Hirayama has allegedly interfered with ambulances in Tsukuba City at least 12 times! Nevertheless, it wasn’t until last week that he was finally arrested.
Apparently, Hirayama has yelled at both the paramedics in the ambulances and the vehicles themselves. The lecturer even jumped in front of one ambulance as it was driving down the street. He has also allegedly screamed “Baaaka! Baaaka!” (or “Stuuupid! Stuuupid!”) at the vehicles on university premises and in front of a hospital. The total number of incidences recorded are as follows: twice in both 2008 and 2009, once in 2013, and a total of seven times in 2014 alone.
The lecturer was finally arrested after being caught kicking a parked ambulance.
▼Note the lack of a “Kick me sign.”
As for why Hirayama apparently goes Jack Nicholson in The Shining whenever an ambulance goes by, it turns out that…well, he just really hates the sirens. We can’t help suspecting that there’s a deeper issue–maybe he thinks sirens are actually the screams of trapped spirits?–but what he told police was: “The sirens are loud so I didn’t like ambulances. I just happened to see one stopped, so I kicked it.”
Naturally, Japanese commenters were not impressed with Hirayama.
“How does someone with this little sense get to be a lecturer in a university??”
“Let’s just deport him.”
“All his efforts over the last six years have finally borne fruit!”
“As expected, people who shout ‘stupid’ are the stupid ones.”
“Is he a dog??”
While we can kind of understand how Hirayama might have felt–noisy sirens are, well, noisy–we absolutely cannot understand interfering with an ambulance. It’s almost as bad as people who don’t pull over when driving to let the emergency vehicles pass.
Hopefully someone can help Hirayama deal with this and get him to chill out around ambulances. Maybe he just needs some noise cancelling headphones from Chanel? That could make for a pretty good commercial, now that we’re thinking about it!
Sources: Itai News 2channel, Yomiuri
Top image: Wikipedia (Akiyoshi Matsuoka)



University lecturer calls out his lazy Japanese students, praises his hard-working Chinese ones
English teacher arrested in Japan for smuggling cannabis oil inside hair treatment bottles
Ibaraki Police warn against fake warnings by the police
University of Tokyo lecturer suggests giving cars big cartoon eyes will make them safer
Man arrested for year-long terrorism campaign against manga “Kuroko’s Basketball”
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Studio Ghibli adds new Ponyo glassware to its anime lineup for summer
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Pokémon’s cozy city builder game inspires Cozy (Corner) cakes in Japan! [Photos]
Universal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults-only horror attraction
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese Criminal Arrested After Visiting Police on the Advice of His Victim
Nanotech professor from one of Japan’s top universities arrested for panty-theft
Japanese police arrest four foreign residents on charges of stealing over 100 cars
British man arrested for biting Japanese police officer during shokumu shitsumon questioning
Two Japanese arrested, suspected of importing forged money, sharing with friends
Japanese teenager tries to look cool for a girl, gets punished by the universe/wild animal
82-year-old Japanese man arrested for driving without license, says he had one 60 years ago
Japanese high school students arrested for robbing pachinko parlour at knife-point
Self-proclaimed Americans arrested for breaking into Punch the monkey’s Japanese zoo habitat