Japan Factory Attack: 15+ Injured in Knife & Bleach Assault

A man was arrested Friday after stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with what officials believe was bleach at a tire factory in central Japan. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

Japan Factory Attack

Eight people were taken to hospitals after being stabbed by the man at a factory of Yokohama Rubber Co. in Mishima, Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo, according to the Fujisan Nanto Fire Department.

Five of the people who were stabbed are in serious condition, though further details have not been released by the fire department.

Shizuoka prefectural police arrested the 38-year-old man for alleged attempted murder. No further details regarding the arrest were immediately available.

Investigators reported the suspect was carrying a survival knife and wearing a gas mask, according to the Japanese newspaper Asahi.

Seven additional people were injured by bleach thrown during the attack and were taken to hospitals for treatment, the fire department said.

Japan has strict gun control laws and experiences rare violent crimes, but has seen several high-profile knife attacks in recent years.