Japanese hail Chinese student for saving boy from raging river
Online applause for tourist who jumped into raging river to rescue nine-year-old
Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations may be strained, but a Chinese tourist's bravery in saving a boy from a raging river has generated much praise in Japan's online community.
The nine-year-old fell into Osaka's Yodo River in southern Japan at about 5pm on Monday while taking photographs.
He was swept 350 metres down the river, which was heavily swollen by Typhoon Man-Yi. Luckily, Chinese exchange student Yan Jun spotted him, jumped in, and swam 15 metres to bring the boy to shore.
On his Sina Weibo microblog yesterday, Yan, 26, said: "Right after I hit the water I quickly discovered that my body … was completely powerless in the face of nature. I almost died … I was very fortunate to be able to bring that child to shore safely."
The two were taken to hospital with minor injuries and released after treatment.
Yan, who suffered a few minor abrasions from jumping into the river, said he had "just done the natural thing".
"If I hadn't saved this boy, his life would have been in danger."