At Least 15 Injured In A Knife And Chemical Attack At A Factory In Japan

TOKYO (AP) — A man who stabbed eight people and injured seven others with what was believed to be bleach at a tire factory in central Japan on Friday was arrested, authorities said. There was no immediate explanation for his motive.

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

The fire department told The Associated Press that five of the stabbed people were in serious condition but other details were not available. According to media reports, all of them were conscious when transported to hospitals.

Shizuoka prefectural police said the 38-year-old attacker was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at the factory, but did not provide further details.

According to information from Kyodo news agency based on investigative sources, the attacker is believed to be a former employee of the factory.

The suspect was carrying a survival knife and wearing what appeared to be a gas mask, major Japanese newspaper Asahi reported, citing investigators.

The fire department said that 7 people were injured due to the bleach thrown on them during the attack and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Japan has strict gun control laws and is known for keeping violent crime rare, but there have been a number of high-profile stabbing attacks in recent years.