In a quiet Japanese suburb, a bout of window bashing has occurred, causing disturbance and panic among the residents. The incidents took place late at night and were mistaken for air raid warnings by a few due to the crash noise. Local police are investigating the source of these unexplained rock-throwing incidents.

The instances of vandalism such as these are quite rare in Japan, a country internationally recognized for its overall orderliness and low crime rate. The alert response by residents can be seen as a reflection of Japan’s overall vigilance and preparedness against disasters. Japanese society values respect for property rights and such mischief is considered a disruption to the tranquility.

In the US or EU, such an act may be viewed as a minor act of vandalism, and depending on the frequency or damage, might prompt local law enforcement intervention. The potential mistaken association with a situation as severe as an air raid may be less likely given the historical and geographical differences.