Stabbings and Chemical Attack at Japan Rubber Factory Leave 15 Injured

MISHIMA, JAPAN – A violent assault involving both a knife and a chemical substance at a tire factory in central Japan has left at least 15 people injured, five of them seriously. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at a plant operated by the Yokohama Rubber Company in Mishima, Shizuoka prefecture.
Police arrested 38-year-old Masaki Oyama at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. According to local authorities, emergency services received a call around 4:30 p.m. reporting that multiple people had been stabbed and sprayed with a liquid substance.
Details of the Attack
Witnesses and investigators report that the assailant entered the facility armed with a survival knife and wearing what appeared to be a gas mask. He allegedly stabbed eight people before deploying a liquid chemical, believed to be bleach, which injured seven others.
The Fujisan Nanto Fire Department confirmed that all 15 victims were transported to nearby hospitals. While five of the stab victims were reported to be in serious condition, authorities stated that all victims were conscious during transport.
Suspect in Custody
The suspect, Masaki Oyama, is a resident of Mishima and is believed by investigators to be a former employee of the factory. He was detained by factory workers before police arrived and took him into custody. Authorities have not yet released a motive for the attack but are currently investigating the suspect's background and connection to the plant.
Context
Violent crime remains relatively rare in Japan, a country with strict gun control laws and a generally low murder rate. However, the nation has seen sporadic high-profile attacks involving knives and arson in recent years, prompting periodic public concern over security in public and workplaces.
The Yokohama Rubber Company plant in Mishima produces tires for passenger cars and employs nearly 1,000 workers. Operations at the site were disrupted as police cordoned off the area to conduct forensic investigations.