NHK



 

Japanese police have arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with Sunday's stabbing attack in the western city of Fukuoka, which injured two people.

The police say the suspect, Yamaguchi Naoya, who lives in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, hinted at his involvement in the case in interviews conducted before the arrest.

They say the instrument believed to be used in the attack has already been found.

The victims of the assault that took place on Sunday evening are a 44-year-old male event staffer of a pop idol group and a 27-year-old woman who travelled from Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture to the area for another event.

The police say the male victim was stabbed in a staff only elevator hall at a domed stadium, right after he told the suspected assailant to leave.
They say the suspect then attacked the woman who was at an adjacent commercial facility.

The police say the staffer was stabbed in his chest and the female victim in her back. They say they were taken to hospital after the attack, and their injuries are not life-threatening.

The woman reportedly has told the police she was not acquainted with the assailant.