Police Instruct Teachers on How to Use Sasumata for Self-Defense

Suddenly, a suspicious person appeared and started to rampage. In such a situation, can you use a sasumata correctly?

At Osaka University of Education Affiliated Ikeda Elementary School (Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture), which marks its 25th anniversary this year since the incident where a man with a knife invaded the school premises and killed 8 children, police officers held a practical training session on the use of the sasumata on the 25th. Teachers who participated in the training tackled the session with serious expressions.

The instructors were police officers from the Ikeda Station of the Osaka Prefectural Police. The sasumata is a crime prevention tool with a U-shaped metal fitting at the tip of a 2-3 meter long handle.

It is used to immobilize the opponent by pressing their body against a wall or floor with the U-shaped part at the tip. The main purpose is to "buy time" by keeping the opponent away from oneself and allowing others to escape until rescuers such as the police arrive.

How should one hold it? If the opponent is holding a weapon such as a knife in their right hand, it is best to hold the sasumata diagonally with the right hand forward to maintain as much distance as possible.

Stance is also important. Since there are limits to using only hand strength, it is effective to lower your hips and use the sasumata while putting your body weight on it, rather than standing stiffly.

There are three types of stances: the upper stance, which points the tip towards the opponent's face; the middle stance, which points towards the abdomen; and the lower stance, which points towards the legs. Caution is needed with the middle stance as the opponent's hand position is close, and the sasumata might be snatched away.

Holding the U-shape vertically can also make it easier to immobilize the opponent, as both tips align on the opponent's midline. When using it from behind the opponent, pressing the area around the back of the knee with the sasumata can destabilize their posture.

There are also weaknesses. If you grip the handle too short in an attempt to hold the sasumata firmly, the opponent's knife or weapon might be longer, posing a risk of injury. It is important to hold the handle as long as possible, near the base.

For those who are not confident in their strength, holding the handle so that it rests against your waist can help reduce the risk of being pushed back by the opponent. The base of the handle will hit your waist, allowing you to step back with your whole body and maintain distance.

Most importantly, it is crucial to recognize that confronting an attacker alone is dangerous. With a single sasumata, if the tip is grabbed by the opponent, it can be easily taken away, leaving you unable to resist. Using multiple sasumata by several people is desirable. In a situation where one is alone, it is advisable to consider using a transparent shield or similar defense rather than a sasumata.

An Ikeda Station officer who conducted the training said, "By actually using the sasumata and also acting as the opponent to have the sasumata used against you, you can better understand what kind of usage is effective for immobilizing movements," emphasizing the importance of practical training.