TOKYO — The Tokyo Fire Department has issued a stern warning following a surge in violent attacks against emergency medical crews, including a recent incident where paramedics were beaten so badly they had to be hospitalized themselves, reports Nippon News Network (June 16).
In a shocking incident this May, an ambulance crew responded to a report of an injured person collapsed outdoors. Upon arriving to provide aid, the injured individual suddenly turned on the rescue workers, threatening them by shouting, “I’ll kill you, I’ll stab you with a knife, I’ll make it so you can’t walk down the street.”
The suspect then unleashed a flurry of violence, punching and kicking one paramedic more than a dozen times.
The assault left the paramedic bleeding from the face with shattered glasses, while a second crew member sustained injuries to his leg after being kicked. The situation escalated to the point that two additional ambulances had to be dispatched to the scene simply to transport the injured rescuers to a hospital.
Police officers arriving at the scene arrested the suspect on the spot.
Incidents on the rise
The violent outburst took the original ambulance crew out of service for five hours and tied up vital emergency resources. According to the Tokyo Fire Department (TFD), interference with rescue crews is on the rise. While 2025 saw a total of 24 such incidents, there have already been 15 cases reported by the end of May 2026, outpacing the previous year.
With ambulance dispatches hitting a record-breaking pace in 2026, the TFD on Tuesday warned it will not hesitate to take firm legal action against anyone obstructing their duties.
“There are fears that these acts of obstruction will delay the transport of injured people,” the department said in a statement, urging the public to cooperate so that limited emergency crews can reach those in genuine need without dangerous delays.
The TFD also released a reenactment video of the May assault to raise public awareness of the dangers faced by emergency personnel.
