A man attacked workers inside the "Yokohama Rubber" factory in Mishima city, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, injuring at least 14 people. All victims remain conscious. Police confirmed they have detained the suspect and are investigating the cause. Reports also indicate that an unknown liquid was sprayed at the scene.
At approximately 16:30 local time on 26 December, police and fire officials in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture, received reports of a shocking incident inside the "Yokohama Rubber" factory. Factory employees stated that a man was chasing and stabbing people with a sharp object and spraying some kind of liquid throughout the area.
According to reports from fire services and local Japanese media, the latest count of injured stands at 14. Some sources report that between 8 and 15 victims were transported to hospitals, including at least six seriously wounded by stabbing. However, authorities confirmed all injured individuals remain alert and conscious.
In addition to using a sharp weapon, the assailant sprayed a liquid believed to be a "spray" or some mysterious substance onto victims and the surrounding area.
Police managed to control the situation and immediately apprehended the man responsible at the scene. The suspect’s name and motive have not been disclosed. He is currently undergoing detailed questioning by Shizuoka Prefectural Police.
The incident took place at the Yokohama Rubber factory, located about 2 kilometers southeast of JR Mishima Station, in a neighborhood comprising residential and industrial zones. A factory representative declined to comment further on the incident at this time.
Yokohama Rubber Company is headquartered in Hirasuka city, Kanagawa Prefecture, and was established in 1917. It primarily manufactures rubber products for passenger cars, construction vehicles, and agricultural machinery. The Mishima factory produces rubber for passenger cars, covers an area of 112,000 square meters, and employed 987 people as of December 2024.
.sourceNHK/Asahi Shimbun