Knife attack at Akihabara Station disrupts busy Yamanote Line
TOKYO: A knife attack aboard a train at Tokyo’s Akihabara Station on Wednesday (Jan 3) left three men injured and hospitalized, according to Japanese police.
The incident occurred just before 11:00 pm local time on the Yamanote loop line, one of Tokyo’s busiest transport routes. Police were alerted via an emergency call reporting that a woman was attacking passengers with a knife, said a spokesperson for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
The woman was apprehended at the scene, though the condition of the three injured men remains unclear. Kyodo News reported that none of the victims’ injuries were life-threatening. Initial reports from public broadcaster NHK suggested that four people had been stabbed, but this was later revised.
East Japan Railway Company temporarily suspended operations on the Yamanote loop line, citing “trouble on the train.”
Akihabara, a bustling district known for its electronics stores, video games, comic book culture, and vibrant fashion scene, is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The attack has shocked the community, disrupting an otherwise busy evening in the iconic area.
