A violent attack unfolded at a Yokohama Rubber Co. facility in Mishima, Japan, on Friday, resulting in multiple casualties. According to the Fujisan Nanto Fire Department, a 38-year-old assailant was apprehended by Shizuoka prefectural police on allegations of attempted murder.
The incident involved a dual-pronged assault where the perpetrator reportedly stabbed eight individuals with a survival knife and hurled a corrosive substance, believed to be bleach, at seven others. Emergency services confirmed that all fifteen victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Five of those stabbed were reported to be in serious condition, though specific details on their injuries were not immediately disclosed.
Citing investigative sources, the Asahi newspaper reported the suspect was equipped with a gas mask during the attack, suggesting possible premeditation. The motive behind the assault at the central Japanese factory remains unclear, as authorities have not provided an immediate explanation.
This event highlights a concerning pattern of violent incidents in a nation celebrated for its stringent gun control measures and generally low crime rates. While Japan experiences rare occurrences of violent crime, this attack adds to a series of notable knife-related assaults that have occurred in recent years.