Tokyo
AP
—
A man was arrested Friday for allegedly stabbing eight people with a substance believed to be bleach and injuring seven others at a tire factory in central Japan, officials said. His motive was not immediately explained.
According to the Mt. Fuji Nanto Fire Department, eight people were taken to the hospital after being stabbed by a man at the tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber’s factory in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo.
The fire department told The Associated Press that five of the people who were stabbed were in serious condition, but other details were not available.
Shizuoka Prefectural Police announced that a 38-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at the factory, but did not provide details.
Asahi, a major Japanese newspaper, reported that the suspect was carrying a survival knife and was wearing what appeared to be a gas mask.
Seven other people were also injured by bleach thrown during the attack and taken to hospital for treatment, the fire department said.
Other details were not immediately available.
Japan has strict gun control laws and is known for rare violent crimes, but in recent years there have been a number of violent incidents involving knives that have attracted attention.
