Last year, a man in his 20s stabbed passengers with a knife on the Odakyu Line on August 6th and on the Keio Line on October 31st. There were comments at regular press conferences by the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, but I can't find any press conference videos or press releases by railway companies. I even feel resentment as to why the nation, businesses, and individuals need to think more about measures that the entire nation can take. Therefore, we asked Mr. Makoto Tamaru, President and CEO of Makoto Secret Service Consulting Co., Ltd., a former riot police who now provides security services for VIPs, about training methods from the perspective of risk management.
Awareness and skills to protect yourself
Ishikawa: In the first place, I can't help but wonder why no press conference is held to think deeply about such a serious incident as the train slashing. All that comes out is a one-way announcement. For example, on December 3, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism decided to make security cameras mandatory in vehicles. In addition, we are also showing training videos to strengthen patrols and fight criminals with weapons. I doubt if this measure is really effective. Because I think it's too late. Even if the police come in and arrest you, what should I do until they come? I believe that discussing what the government and businesses can do, as well as what individuals can do, and increasing the momentum for society as a whole to think about crime deterrence will lead to risk management.
Mr. Tamaru (honorifics omitted below): Regarding the policy of obligating cameras, it will be a deterrent to things like pickpockets and molesters. However, I think that deterrence will be weak against people like this time who hold a grudge against society as a whole and try to kill people indiscriminately. Even with or without a camera, I'm on the train with the intention of doing it.
Ishikawa: Actually, I was more surprised that there were no cameras until now. It can be said that the risk management system was inadequate.
Tamaru: Patrolling is more deterrent. It would be good to strengthen the railway police. Security companies basically cannot carry weapons, and even if they do, they can only wear weapons that have been approved by the police.
Ishikawa: What is the Railway Police?
Tamaru: The railway police force is established at the prefectural police headquarters and has the task of protecting the safety of railway users. Specifically, we will prevent crimes such as molestation and pickpocketing, prevent railway accidents such as railroad crossing accidents, and investigate accidents. It is in the station premises or in front of the station. In Singapore and other places, police officers carrying automatic rifles are wandering around the train. Singapore and other places are said to be as safe as Japan, but they are patrolling around with weapons.
Ishikawa: Is it because they perceive trains to be dangerous places when Singaporean railway police patrol trains with automatic rifles?
Tamaru: There is a possibility of terrorism. The sarin gas attack on the subway that occurred in our country, Japan, is being used as a lesson abroad. With that as an opportunity, globally, I became aware of the danger of terrorism even on trains, the risk of bioterrorism, or chemical terrorism. On the contrary, Japan is easy-going. In Japan, office workers are tired and sleeping on the train. However, I recognize that overseas, there is no one sleeping on the train, and it is a dangerous place.
Ishikawa: You have to think more about protecting yourself. It would be very reassuring if there were police officers on the train, but it is impossible to have police officers on all the trains. When I got on the train, I started observing. 1 Vehicles must have an SOS button and a fire extinguisher. I make sure to check it every time I get in the car. Perhaps the railway company should have held a press conference to explain the incident. That should have triggered the alert. When you get on an airplane, you will always hear how to use a life preserver. I feel that we can do the same. Such voices should be raised more.
Tamaru: As you said, it should be an opportunity for the whole nation to think more. My company has also started a "Rescon Channel" video, so we plan to release information on how to protect yourself, not just on trains.
Ishikawa: That's reliable.
Tamaru: Now, let's try a little. A fire extinguisher can be used not only when a fire breaks out, but also as a tool to temporarily protect yourself or yourselves from violent ruffians. Everyone else has luggage. You can use it as a shield to protect your body. Today I bring an umbrella, and even an umbrella can be used as a weapon. Even an umbrella can be used as a substitute for a bamboo sword or a wooden sword. You can keep your distance from your opponent, poke them, or knock them down.
Ishikawa: Please guide me. It's obvious that it's dangerous to show your back to a criminal and run away. Since I use both the Keio and Odakyu lines on a daily basis, I practiced many times how to imagine what I would do if something actually happened in front of me.
Ishikawa: When I tried standing like this, I felt real fear. At the same time, if you move, you can get a sense of it. I think I'll try doing movements like taking off my coat quickly, preparing myself, and changing my bag. Come to think of it, I myself have participated several times in a survival game where I wear camouflage uniforms and run around the mountains as part of crisis management training. At first, I was so scared of the Beebe bullets that I couldn't move. As the number of repetitions increases, the body begins to move. But if you don't do it regularly, you'll forget.
Tamaru: Huh, is Ishikawa-san a survival game? Ultimately, I want to spread awareness that we must protect ourselves by ourselves.
Ishikawa: Watching a video of someone running away on a train only fills me with fear. You won't learn anything. A friend of mine's daughter got sick after watching too many videos. On the other hand, for us, videos of police training are not useful for improving self-protection skills, just saying, "That's what you're doing, of course."
There is also the idea of ``5 or 6 people'' all at once to stop the damage
Tamaru: If everyone runs away when there is no escape, everyone becomes a victim of a knife-wielding criminal. We also need people who stand up without running away. It is also important to have the idea that 5 or 6 strong men will hold him down. Face multiple, not one. Talk to each other. In order to protect weak children and women, I would like you to include "catch" and "stand up" in the end.
Ishikawa: "Stand up"? it's fresh. On the Keio Line, a man who was careful was stabbed. Even if I pay attention, should I do it multiple times?
Tamaru: It's a little different. Basically, don't get close to people who need attention. However, if the opponent is approaching and there is no place to escape, first dodge with the things around you. If the opponent swings the knife around, use strong men to join forces and hold them down all at once. Also, in a scene like a shotgun shootout, if you run away, you may become a target, so lying down on your stomach and holding your head with both hands is "hidden".
Ishikawa: I feel that it is necessary to promote the idea of protecting oneself by oneself. Where should I do publicity to "protect myself"? If the government does it, the people will say, "It's irresponsible, protect the lives of the people." From that point of view, an NPO may be better. I would like to think a little more about what companies can do. do you have an idea?
Tamaru: I think it would be effective for companies to hold hands-on training sessions as events. As I mentioned earlier, it is a trial session to protect yourself with familiar things. The best way to learn is not just by watching, but by actually doing it. And it will spread by telling everyone what you experienced.
Ishikawa: Certainly, once you experience it, you want to convey it. Pre-publicity of the trial session, report after the trial, and SNS transmission. I also sent a trial video today.
Tamaru: It can also be implemented as training. It happened when I was guarding a family, which was a bodyguard for dignitaries. I gave a lecture on how the police would act for the whole family. And I asked them to think about how to escape, how to hide, and where to hide when a thug comes. There are toilets, closets, and garages. A panic room may also be set up.
Ishikawa: Certainly, corporate training should be increased. By the way, what is a panic room?
Tamaru: A closed room for emergency evacuation. You can run away yourself, or you can use it to trap thugs there. On top of that, I will actually attack as a thug and verify whether everyone can move as planned. Well, to put it plainly, it's like a game of tag (laughs). In this way, ideas acquired through knowledge and experience are effective.
Ishikawa: I think it's much more useful than repeatedly seeing people running away on a train. I received a new perspective to protect myself with familiar accessories and stand up. I realized that publicizing how to protect oneself and the importance of hands-on training leads to risk management. I would like to hear about the case when companies and presidents are targeted on another occasion. Thank you for today.
[Profile of Makoto Tamaru]
Representative Director, Makoto Secret Service Consulting Co., Ltd.
Born in Meguro-ku, Tokyo. After he was appointed as a Chiba Prefectural Police Officer, he experienced police box, patrol car, important protection facility guard, airport guard, riot police, etc. During his time as a riot police, he was involved in security guards such as the opening of the temporary runway at Narita Airport and the co-hosting of the Japan-Korea Soccer World Cup.
After retiring from the police, he was recommended by the Chiba Prefectural Police Headquarters Security Department Counselor, and engaged in personal protection and crisis management measures for the chairman and president of a company listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange at a major crisis management company mainly composed of former police officers.
In 2013, he founded Makoto Secret Service Consulting. From corporations to individuals, he continues to provide security for dignitaries, crisis management seminars, and consulting.
Management of "Rescon Channel"
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDU7YzND71oSiZw3_WvtnQ/featured
Public Relations Risk Management Study Group (provided by RMCA Channel)
Research group headed by Keiko Ishikawa
November Study Session "How to Spot Suspicious People"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72HRoTntZtc&t=13s