At least 15 injured in stabbing and liquid spray attack at Japan factory, suspect arrested

At least 15 people were injured in a shocking stabbing and liquid spray attack at a factory in central Japan on Friday. The incident took place at a rubber manufacturing factory in Mishima city, located in Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo. Japanese authorities confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and is currently in police custody.

Emergency services received a call at around 4:30 pm local time reporting that several workers had been stabbed inside the factory. The caller also said that an unidentified liquid had been sprayed during the attack, causing additional injuries. Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately.

The attack happened inside a rubber factory in Mishima.

According to local officials and reports from Kyodo News Agency, a 38-year-old man entered the rubber factory armed with a knife and attacked multiple people. Several workers were stabbed, while others were injured after a liquid, later reported to be bleach, was sprayed during the incident.

Shizuoka prefectural police said the suspect was detained at the factory itself and arrested on charges of attempted murder. Authorities did not immediately share details about the motive behind the attack or whether the suspect was an employee of the factory.

Emergency officials said that at least eight people were taken to hospital for treatment. Some victims were stabbed, while seven others were injured due to exposure to the liquid spray. Ambulances were sent to the factory in large numbers to quickly move the injured to nearby hospitals.

Public broadcaster NHK reported that all the injured victims were conscious at the time they were taken to hospital. However, officials said the seriousness of their injuries was not immediately clear. Doctors were continuing to monitor their conditions.

The factory where the attack occurred is operated by Yokohama Rubber Company. The company manufactures tyres for trucks and buses, according to information available on its official website. After the incident, the area around the factory was secured, and police launched a detailed investigation.

Workers at nearby factories were advised to remain indoors for some time as a precautionary measure. Authorities also worked to ensure that there was no further risk from the sprayed liquid.

Violent crimes remain rare but not unheard of in Japan.

Japan is known for having one of the lowest crime rates in the world, especially when it comes to violent crimes. The country has strict gun control laws and a very low murder rate. Incidents like the one in Mishima are rare and often shock the public.

Despite this, Japan has witnessed a few serious violent attacks in recent years. One of the most notable was the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, who was shot during a public campaign event. The incident deeply shocked the nation and led to renewed discussions about public safety.

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In October this year, a Japanese man was sentenced to death for a violent rampage in 2023 that involved both shooting and stabbing. The attack resulted in the deaths of four people, including two police officers.

Another incident occurred in May, when a 43-year-old man was charged with attempted murder after carrying out a knife attack at Tokyo’s Toda-mae metro station. Although such cases are uncommon, they highlight that acts of violence can still occur even in countries with strong law enforcement systems.

Following Friday’s attack in Mishima, police said they are carefully questioning the suspect to understand his background and motive. Authorities are also reviewing security measures at industrial workplaces to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Local officials urged people not to panic and reassured the public that such incidents are isolated. They also praised the quick response of emergency services, which helped ensure that the injured received timely medical care.

The Yokohama Rubber Company has not yet released a detailed statement but is expected to cooperate fully with the investigation. Company officials are also likely to provide support to the injured workers and their families.

As investigations continue, Japanese authorities have promised transparency and swift action. The incident has once again brought attention to workplace safety and mental health concerns, which experts say are important areas to address to reduce the risk of such violent acts.

For now, the suspect remains in custody, and police are working to piece together the sequence of events. The condition of the injured workers will continue to be closely monitored, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.