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Family of Mindarie man Alex Szponarski, 26, has serious concerns for his welfare after he was detained in Japan following suspected psychotic episode

Laura Hyland7NEWS
VideoMentally ill Perth man Alex Szponarski detained in Japan after psychotic episode

The family of a Mindarie man holidaying in Japan has serious concerns for his welfare after he was detained by police after what friends say may have been a psychotic episode.

26-year-old Alex Szponarski was in Tokyo for a card game championship.

He left on November 14 and his family now fears he is in serious trouble.

The trip was going smoothly but his friends say Mr Szponarski suddenly started to act erratically.

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He lost his passport, phone and wallet, which meant he couldn't fly home as scheduled on November 29.

Two days later he was arrested by Japanese police for allegedly hitting a security guard in the face while trying to scale a fence near Tokyo Tower.

The guard is not pressing charges but Mr Szponarski has been detained since the incident.

His mother Beata made a desperate trip to Japan to help her son, fearing he is missing out on treatment he urgently needs.

She said his behaviour was out of character and he had no history of mental health problems.

“I'm petrified because he's delusional, I've seen him twice now and he's not my son. He's talking out of sense,” she said.

“He should be in a hospital.

“We are already two weeks behind when he could get medical help.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is providing consular assistance.

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