Japan factory knife and chemical attack injures at least 15
 

On Friday, a violent attack at a Yokohama Rubber Co. tire factory in Mishima, Japan, left 15 people injured and led to the immediate arrest of a 38-year-old suspect. The assailant reportedly stormed the facility in Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo, armed with a survival knife and what appeared to be a gas mask.

According to local fire and police officials, eight individuals suffered stab wounds during the rampage. Medical teams transported these victims to nearby hospitals, with the Fujisan Nanto Fire Department reporting that five of the stabbed employees are currently in serious condition. The severity of the injuries has placed local medical facilities on high alert as they work to stabilize those affected.

In addition to the knife attacks, the suspect allegedly used a chemical substance, believed to be bleach, to cause further harm. Seven additional people were injured by the liquid and required hospital treatment for chemical exposure. Investigators are still working to confirm the exact nature of the substance and the extent of the injuries it caused to the victims' eyes and skin.

Shizuoka prefectural police successfully apprehended the 38-year-old man at the scene on charges of attempted murder. While the suspect’s presence—complete with a gas mask and tactical knife—suggests a degree of premeditation, authorities have not yet established a motive for the attack. It remains unclear if the man was an employee or had any prior connection to the factory.

This incident has deeply unsettled a nation where violent crime is historically rare and firearm laws are among the strictest in the world. However, Japan has seen a troubling rise in high-profile "lone wolf" knife attacks in recent years, prompting renewed discussions regarding security in public and industrial spaces.