Man arrested after stabbing of 2 people near idol events in south-west Japan
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A 30-year-old man was arrested on Dec 15 following stabbings in Fukuoka.
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TOKYO – A 30-year-old man was arrested on Dec 15 for his role in one of two stabbings on Dec 14 in the city of Fukuoka
The suspect, Naoya Yamaguchi, a resident of Itoshima in Fukuoka prefecture, has been accused of attempted murder on the man and has admitted responsibility. He has also indicated he was involved in the attack on the woman, according to police.
The attacks occurred on the afternoon of Dec 14 at a stadium, Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka, and a nearby amusement facility, Boss E.Zo Fukuoka, where HKT48 has its own theatre for performances.
HKT48 is among the popular AKB48 family of all-girl pop groups and is based in the Hakata area of Fukuoka. Following the incident, members who were in an office attached to the theatre evacuated safely, according to the group’s official website.
Sessions of an online meet-and-greet event that were scheduled later in the day were cancelled.
The 44-year-old event worker was stabbed in his chest when he cautioned a man, who the police believe was Yamaguchi, in the lift hall of a VIP parking area of the stadium.
The other victim is a 27-year-old woman from Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture, who was visiting for a live event held by a male idol group at the stadium.
She suffered a wound to her back, having gone to Boss E.Zo Fukuoka to meet a friend.
According to the police, Yamaguchi called the police at 2am local time on Dec 15 from a pay phone in Kasuga, a city adjacent to Fukuoka. He initially called to report he had seen the suspected attacker, but later confessed that he was the one who fled from the scene of the incidents before hanging up.
The police apprehended Yamaguchi later on Dec 15, and found him in possession of two knives. They suspect at least one was used in the attacks. KYODO NEWS
