Approximately 14 to 15 people have been injured in a knife and chemical attack at a Yokohama Rubber Co. tyre manufacturing facility in Mishima, Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo.
The attack took place at the Yokohama Rubber Company tyre factory in Mishima city on the afternoon of 27 December. An emergency call was received at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time reporting multiple stabbings inside the plant.
The suspect allegedly used a survival knife to stab workers and sprayed a bleach-like chemical on others during the assault, according to local authorities.
Fire officials reported that eight people suffered stab wounds whilst another seven were injured by exposure to a chemical believed to be bleach, bringing the total number of casualties to approximately 15.
Five of the stabbing victims were described as being in serious condition, though all casualties were reported to be conscious when transported to hospital for treatment.
Police arrested a 38-year-old man at the factory on suspicion of attempted murder. Japanese media, citing investigative sources, report that he is thought to be a former employee of the Mishima plant and was wearing what appeared to be a gas mask whilst carrying a survival knife during the attack.
As of the latest reports, authorities have not announced a clear motive for the assault. Investigations into both the motive and the exact chemical used are ongoing.
The Mishima facility is a significant Yokohama Rubber tyre manufacturing site located roughly 2 to 3 kilometres southeast of JR Mishima Station in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Operations at the plant were disrupted during the emergency response. However, public reports so far have focused mainly on the criminal investigation and victim treatment rather than any long-term production impacts.
Japan maintains strict gun control laws and violent crime is relatively rare in the country. However, there have been several high-profile knife attacks in recent years that have shocked the nation.
Yokohama Rubber Co., founded in 1917, is one of Japan's major tyre manufacturers, producing tyres for passenger cars, trucks, buses, and construction and mining vehicles. The company operates manufacturing facilities across Japan and internationally.
Further details about the incident are expected to emerge as the investigation continues.
Tagged with: Yokohama Rubber, Mishima plant, Shizuoka, factory safety, tyre manufacturing, incident response, workplace security, chemical exposure, Japan crime data, production disruption
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