Violent Crime in Japan: A Rare but Alarming Trend
Hammer Attack at Tokyo University Leaves 8 Wounded
At least eight people were wounded in a hammer attack at Hosei University’s Tama Campus in Tokyo on Friday, with the assailant a woman in her 20s, according to Japanese media. The attack, which occurred in the afternoon, left all the victims conscious, according to public broadcaster NHK, which cited police sources.
Assailant Stopped by University Staff
Jiji Press reported that a woman in her 20s had been arrested, and Broadcaster FNN said the assailant appeared to be a student in her 20s who was stopped by university staff. The police, however, could not immediately confirm details about the attack, which is a rare instance of violent crime in Japan, which has strict gun control laws.
Live Footage Shows Emergency Vehicles at the Scene
Live footage broadcast by NHK showed a line of emergency vehicles with flashing lights at the campus in the suburban Machida district of the Japanese capital.
A History of Violent Crimes in Japan
There have been occasional stabbings and even shootings in Japan, including the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. In December, a junior high school student was stabbed to death and another wounded at a McDonald’s restaurant in southwestern Japan. A man was later arrested over the attack. In 2019, two people, including a schoolgirl, were stabbed to death and more than a dozen wounded in the Japanese city of Kawasaki in a rampage by an attacker who targeted children as they waited for a bus.
Recent Incidents of Violence in Japan
In January 2022, three people were stabbed outside the prestigious University of Tokyo before nationwide college entrance exams. The victims included an 18-year-old boy, a 17-year-old girl, and a 72-year-old man, police said at the time. A 17-year-old was arrested at the gates of the university after the early-morning attack. He was not taking the exams and was not acquainted with the three victims but told police he "wanted to die after causing an incident as I didn’t do well in my studies," public broadcaster NHK reported. The two teenagers did not sustain life-threatening injuries, but the 72-year-old was severely wounded, according to local media.
Conclusion
The recent wave of violent crimes in Japan is a cause for concern, and it is crucial for the authorities to take swift and effective action to prevent such incidents in the future. The incident at Hosei University’s Tama Campus is a stark reminder of the need for increased vigilance and security measures to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the location of the attack?
A: The attack occurred at Hosei University’s Tama Campus in Tokyo.
Q: How many people were wounded in the attack?
A: At least eight people were wounded, according to Japanese media.
Q: What was the motive behind the attack?
A: The motive is not yet clear, but the assailant was a woman in her 20s who was stopped by university staff.
Q: What is the current situation with the investigation?
A: The police are still investigating the incident, and further details are expected to be released in the coming days.