Japanese police said Monday that they have arrested a man on suspicion of slashing three people on a train in western Japan.
The 37-year-old suspect was carrying three knives, including two in each hand, when he was arrested on the platform of Rinku Town station in Osaka, western Japan. This was immediately after the alleged attack on Sunday, according to police in Izumisano City.
The injured—a train conductor in his 20s and two male passengers aged 23 and 79—were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
After an emergency call from another passenger, four police officers rushed to the station just after the train arrived, and the suspect holding the knives got off.
The suspect ignored the police's orders to drop the knives. One officer knocked down the weapons with a stick, and officers seized them, police said. The suspect told investigators that he had “trouble” with passengers. Victims said they were suddenly attacked, police said, adding that they are still investigating motives.
Violent crimes are rare in Japan. The country has strict gun control laws, and only a handful of gun-related crimes occur annually. But in recent years, there have been some high-profile cases involving random killings on subways and arson attacks, and there is growing concern about homemade guns and explosives.
Train operators in major cities have been stepping up safety measures, including installing security cameras on train cars and conducting more frequent drills among station staff.
Japan has been noted for this kind of crime. There are underground groups that have been banned nowadays in Japan, such as the infamous Yakuza and the Ronins. Because of such groups, there are occasions for attacks on people in isolated places, on trains, and in train stations.
The authorities have done well by acting swiftly to bring the perpetrators to book.