A violent stabbing incident in central Japan left 14 people injured on Friday, according to emergency services, with reports that an unknown liquid was also sprayed at the scene.
Fire department officer Tomoharu Sugiyama of Mishima city, Shizuoka Prefecture, told AFP that “14 individuals were transported to hospital via emergency services.”
The call came at approximately 4:30 p.m. from a local rubber factory, where officials reported that “five or six people had been stabbed” and that a “spray-type liquid” had been used.
Japanese media reported that police have arrested a suspect on suspicion of attempted murder. According to investigative sources cited by the Asahi Shimbun, the suspect, a man in his 30s, was affiliated with the factory.
Reports indicate that the suspect wore a gas mask-like covering and was armed with a knife resembling a survival knife. NHK reported that the man told police he is 38 years old.
The condition of the injured remains unclear, though NHK noted that all are conscious. Sugiyama added that at least six of the injured were transported to hospital by a fleet of ambulances, and the nature of their injuries is still under investigation.
The factory involved, located in Mishima, is operated by Yokohama Rubber Co., which manufactures tyres for trucks and buses.
While violent crime is relatively rare in Japan—where homicide rates are low and strict gun control laws are in place—stabbings and occasional shootings do occur. Notable incidents include the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.
In 2023, a Japanese man accused of stabbing and shooting, resulting in four deaths including two police officers, was sentenced to death in October. Additionally, in May of this year, a stabbing at Toda-Mae Metro Station in Tokyo led to a 43-year-old man being charged with attempted murder.
Summary of Incident:
| Date & Time | Location | Victims | Suspect Details | Weapons/Items Used | Condition of Victims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Dec 2025, 16:30 | Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture | 14 | 38-year-old male affiliated with factory | Survival knife, spray-type liquid | All conscious; injuries under investigation |
Authorities continue to investigate the motive and the exact sequence of events. This incident has once again highlighted the rare but shocking nature of violent crimes in a country generally regarded as exceptionally safe.