Incident at Tokyo Shopping Complex

On Monday, a man sprayed a substance at a luxury shopping complex in Tokyo, injuring around 20 people. Tokyo police spokesman Yusuke Koide confirmed that the substance was sprayed at an ATM on the ground floor. According to a local fire department official, the incident caused a noticeable “smell,” leading to the injuries.

The Ginza shopping district, known for its tourist appeal, saw its roads blocked off following the event. Fire trucks lined the street in response. Despite this, shoppers continued using side entrances to access the building.

An AFP reporter observed two individuals on stretchers being loaded into ambulances. Emergency personnel in hazmat suits transported affected individuals to specialized vehicles for examination. According to public broadcaster NHK, the injuries were reportedly mild.

A 70-year-old woman who was present at the mall shared her experience. Her throat began “stinging and hurting” as she neared the ATM. She described the sensation as scratchy and almost numb. Police are actively investigating the cause of the incident.

Japan is known for its low murder rate and strict gun laws. However, the country has experienced rare stabbing and shooting incidents. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in 2022, and the perpetrator received a life sentence in January. In December, 14 people were injured in a factory stabbing attack, where a liquid was sprayed as well.

The nation is still haunted by the 1990s subway attack where the Aum Shinrikyo cult released toxic gas, leading to 14 deaths and more than 5,800 injuries. On March 20, 1995, this cult utilized Nazi-developed sarin nerve agent during peak commuter hours, causing mass casualties.