My first flat tire, since living in Japan! A few minutes after stopping at a service area the car started vibrating, and we pulled over to the side of the highway. It looked like the tire had been slashed, but that kind of vandalism is very rare here, so it's more likely that the tire tore, as a result of a sudden puncture. The driver tried to change the tire himself, but we couldn't get the tire to come off, and ended up waiting for highway assistance to arrive. There was an interesting post at the side of the highway...

 

Two vehicles came to assist us from JAF (Japan Auto Federation?)--one was a truck that was capable of transporting a car on it's flatbed back, and another which parked some distance behind. The two drivers set up cones, flares, and one of them waved a giant red flag to warn highway drivers of the problem at the side of the road. They were dressed in racing style uniforms (with helmets!). They really had us fixed and out of there in no time. We all pulled over at the next service area to write up the report, at which time they checked over the damaged tire. I've never seen so much care given to just a flat tire, so it was a very interesting experience!!!