I’ve been learning Krav Maga for about three years. An acquaintance who is knowledgeable about martial arts recommended it to me, saying it was a fairly easy self-defense technique. It’s no secret that Japan’s security situation, especially its perceived level, is steadily worsening, and you never know when or where you might get into trouble. Even though I’ve always been interested in martial arts, the brutality of Japan’s public spaces today makes me feel compelled to learn at least one self-defense technique.

Krav Maga may be relatively easy, but it’s still challenging for beginners. I’ve managed to hang in there, but many people can’t keep up and end up quitting. I often find that older men and women, as well as young, frail men, disappear after a while.

I believe it’s the elderly, children, and women who truly need self-defense. It’s often the weak elderly, children, and women who are the targets of violent acts, such as random attacks. If that’s the case, shouldn’t we develop truly simple, easy-to-remember self-defense techniques that even weaker people can master?
For example, if someone suddenly grabs you from behind, stomp on their foot with your heel, flinching them and allowing you to run away. Or, if someone attacks you, stab them in the eye with a parasol you’re holding and quickly run away. Or throw stones or sand at your feet and run away.
It’s not as cool as legitimate martial arts, but it’s effective in saving your life. What’s more, even the elderly and children can do it. There’s no 100% guarantee that you’ll protect yourself, but learning these techniques increases your chances of survival.
My plan is to develop some self-defense techniques that are a little tricky but easy for anyone to learn, and then systematize them. Once I’ve got a good idea, I’d like to get expert advice, organize them, and publish them as self-defense techniques for the elderly, children, and women. (Kei Kitajima)

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