Protect yourself with help of Israeli secret service

TOKYO —

While Japan’s crime rate is still relatively low, we are hearing and reading more stories of sexual assault on both women and men. And if you ever find yourself in a situation calling for practical self-defense, one of the most effective methods is one tried and tested by the Israeli security professionals: Krav Maga.

Krav Maga in Hebrew means “contact combat.” The system was originally developed for the Israeli Defense Forces, National Police and the Secret Service, but is now taught to law enforcement agencies in the United States, Europe, Scandinavia and Japan. Additionally, there are specialized training centers offering lessons to the general public.

Tokyo’s first training center was opened in Ichigaya in 2004 by the founder of Krav Maga Japan, Kokushi Matsumoto, who was an instructor in the United States for seven years before returning to Japan in 2002. After enrollment increased to around 1,000, an Ebisu center was added, and Matsumoto is currently planning a third Tokyo location to be opened soon.