Tokyo Fire Department Releases Shocking Reenactment of Ambulance Crew Assaults

Jun 16, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The Tokyo Fire Department has called for greater public cooperation with emergency medical services following a rise in incidents involving interference with ambulance crews, including cases in which paramedics have been assaulted while carrying out rescue operations.

A video released on June 16 reenacts several incidents, including a scene in which a man suddenly punches a paramedic while the crew is providing medical assistance to a patient.

According to the department, there have been 107 cases of interference with emergency responders over the past five years, and the number of incidents recorded so far this year has already exceeded the level seen during the same period last year.

In one case, a paramedic was assaulted and was unable to perform emergency duties for approximately five hours as a result of the attack.

The Tokyo Fire Department said it will respond firmly to such incidents and is prepared to pursue legal action when necessary. Officials urged the public to cooperate with emergency personnel so that lifesaving activities can be carried out without disruption.

Source: TBS

Firefighters Battle Blaze at Plastic Factory in Nara

A fire broke out at a factory handling waste plastic in Nara City on October 13, sending thick black smoke into the air and prompting the dispatch of 12 fire engines after firefighters received an emergency call shortly before 3:30 p.m. from a factory representative reporting smoke rising from inside the building, with all workers safely evacuated and no injuries reported.

AI Breaks Japan's Language Barrier, Fueling Rise in Cyberattacks

Japan is facing a growing wave of cyberattacks as advances in artificial intelligence remove the language barrier that once made Japanese companies difficult targets for overseas hackers, with more than 68 million personal records potentially exposed in a series of security incidents over the past two weeks.

Record-Strong El Nino Expected to Bring Warm Winter to Japan

Japan is expected to experience a warmer-than-normal winter as the El Nino phenomenon currently affecting the Pacific Ocean has reached its strongest level on record, with the Japan Meteorological Agency announcing on October 10th that unusually high sea surface temperatures are likely to persist through the coming winter months.

Otsu Festival Parades Elaborate Floats Following UNESCO Recognition

The Otsu Festival, one of Shiga Prefecture's three major traditional festivals, was held in Otsu City on October 11th, featuring a procession of 13 elaborately decorated floats carrying traditional mechanical puppets through the streets, following the festival's addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December last year.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

90 Ninjas Compete for Japan's Top Title

Around 90 self-proclaimed ninjas from across Japan gathered in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, for the 43rd All-Japan Ninja Championship, competing in traditional ninja-inspired challenges including shuriken throwing, castle wall climbing, and running across water to claim the title of Japan's top ninja.

Physical Fitness Declines Among Japanese Women in Their 30s and 40s

Physical fitness among Japanese women in their 30s and 40s has been declining, according to the Sports Agency's fiscal 2025 Physical Fitness and Athletic Ability Survey, with experts pointing to the disproportionate burden of housework and childcare as a major factor limiting opportunities for exercise.

Child NISA to Begin in 2027 With Withdrawals Allowed From Age 12

Japan will launch a new tax-free investment program for children in January 2027, allowing parents to invest up to 600,000 yen a year on behalf of children aged 17 or younger while permitting withdrawals from age 12 for expenses such as education and living costs.

Japan’s Job Market Shifts With Economy

Japan’s highly competitive graduate recruitment market remains favorable for students, but signs of change are emerging as the average number of job offers held by candidates declines and companies experiment with new ways to secure talent.

Cyberattack on Osaka University Shuts Down 500 Servers

Osaka Metropolitan University has suspended classes across all faculties after a suspected ransomware attack shut down about 500 servers and disabled key campus systems, while officials investigate whether personal information relating to at least 130,000 students, graduates and employees was leaked.

How Recognizing Signs of a Dysfunctional Family Can Improve Relationships

Recognizing the patterns and issues within a dysfunctional family can be a transformative step toward improving personal relationships.

Japan Holds Sleep Contest With 2.22 Million Yen Prize

A first-of-its-kind sleep competition was held in Tokyo on October 5, with contestants competing for a 2.22 million yen top prize by trying to achieve the deepest, fastest and most stable sleep during a 90-minute session.

Japan's Technical College Graduates Are in High Demand

Graduates of Japan's colleges of technology, commonly known as Kosen, are attracting growing attention from employers, with the ratio of job openings to applicants exceeding 35 as companies increasingly seek graduates who can contribute immediately to the workforce, including major banks and securities firms.

< 2 3 4 5 >