TOKYO: A budding celebrity in Japan performed emergency medical care on an elderly man who collapsed at a train station, sparking international attention and conversation, particularly in China.
On August 21, the elderly man had a medical emergency at a subway station in Tokyo, and the situation quickly drew a crowd of onlookers, according to a viral video on X.
In the video, a young woman emerged from the crowd of helpless onlookers and demonstrated her emergency response skills.
She checked the man’s pulse, held his hand, and kept him conscious by repeatedly asking, “Can you hear me? If you can, please squeeze my hand.”
It turned out that the woman was 27-year-old Maika Kitamura, a medical doctor who is also a member of the Japanese idol group NEO à la mode.
Kitamura, who has worked in the medical field for three years, started the idol group with her colleagues, and they recently debuted in Yokohama, a city south of Tokyo on June 15.
Despite the band’s novelty and a modest fan base, their fresh and energetic style has been steadily attracting followers on Western social media platforms.
Kitamura, in particular, has gained nearly 6,000 followers on her X account, reflecting the growing interest in their music.
Kitamura told Fuji Television that she was returning home from a band training session when she noticed a large crowd.
It was then that she realised it was due to an older gentleman who had collapsed.
However, she expressed her reluctance to disclose the man’s condition, citing concerns for his privacy.
While keeping the man alive, Kitamura told the station staff they needed to transport the man to a hospital promptly.
The video has garnered nearly 20 million views on X, and Kitamura later retweeted the post, writing: “During traumatic moments, it can be natural to feel helpless. However, just having the courage to call someone can help save a person’s life.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the many people who supported me and allowed me to transfer the patient to the emergency services and the hospital.”
Kitamura said she is committed to achieving excellence in both her medical career and her ambitions in the idol industry.
The video has resonated widely with international audiences and captured the attention of Chinese online observers after it was reposted on mainland social media.
“This is the kind of idol truly worth supporting,” said one Chinese netizen.
Another echoed: “Kitamura is perfect in both her careers!”
A third person added: “It’s truly admirable to be able to step up in critical moments!” - South China Morning Post
