A 38-year-old man was taken into custody on Friday after carrying out a violent attack at a tire manufacturing plant in central Japan, where he stabbed multiple people and injured others by throwing a chemical believed to be bleach. The incident occurred at a facility operated by Yokohama Rubber Co. in Mishima, a city in Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo. Authorities said the motive behind the attack remains unknown.
According to the Fujisan Nanto Fire Department, eight people were stabbed during the assault and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Of those injured, five were reported to be in serious condition. In addition to the stabbing victims, seven other individuals were injured after the attacker reportedly splashed bleach on them. Emergency services responded quickly, and the injured were transported for medical care, though further details about their conditions were not immediately available.
Shizuoka prefectural police confirmed that the suspect, a 38-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. Investigators said he was carrying a survival knife at the time of the attack and was wearing what appeared to be a gas mask. Authorities have not released further information about his identity or possible motives, and the investigation is ongoing.
While Japan is known for its strict gun control laws and generally low rates of violent crime, the country has witnessed several high-profile knife attacks in recent years. The incident has once again raised concerns about workplace safety and the rare but serious acts of violence that continue to occur despite Japan’s reputation for public security.
