In a green outfit with silver trim and matching mask, a superhero
waits by the stairs of a Tokyo subway station, lending his strength
to the elderly, passengers lugging heavy packages and mothers with
baby strollers.
"Japanese people find it hard to accept help, they feel obligated
to the other person, so the mask really helps me out," said
Tadahiro Kanemasu.
The slender 27-year-old has spent three months being a good
Samaritan at the station on Tokyo's western side. Like many in the
city, it has neither elevators nor escalators and a long flight of
dimly lit stairs.
Inspiration came from the children he met at his job at an organic
greengrocer, which also prompted the color of his costume. He
picked up the green Power Rangers suit and two spares at a discount
store for 4,000 yen ($52) each.
Since Kanemasu can set aside only a couple of hours each day for
his good deeds, he hopes to recruit others in different colored
suits. Already he has inquiries about pink and red.
Hayato Ito, who works alongside Kanemasu at the greengrocer, said
his kindness to others over the years meant his alter ego did not
come as a complete surprise.
"There were hints of this from a long time ago but finally he
flowered as a hero," Ito said.
Kanemasu admitted he got off to a bit of a rocky start.
"When I first began, people basically said 'Get away from me, you
weirdo'," he said. "Now they still think I'm weird but in a good
way."
