Man arrested after stabbing of 2 people near idol events in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA — A 30-year-old man was arrested Monday for his role in one of two stabbings a day earlier in the city of Fukuoka that left a woman and a man who was working as an event staffer for Japanese female idol group HKT48 with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, Naoya Yamaguchi, a resident of Itoshima in Fukuoka Prefecture, has been accused of attempted murder for the attack on the man and has admitted responsibility. He also has indicated he was involved in the attack on the woman, according to police.

The attacks occurred on Sunday afternoon at a stadium, Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka, and a nearby amusement facility, Boss E.Zo Fukuoka, where HKT48 has its own theater for performances.

HKT48 is among the popular AKB48 family of all-girl pop groups and is based in the Hakata area of Fukuoka. Following the incident, members who were in an office attached to the theater evacuated safely, according to the group's official website.

Sessions of an online meet-and-greet event that were scheduled later in the day were canceled.

The 44-year-old event worker was stabbed in his chest when he cautioned a man, who the police believe was Yamaguchi, in the elevator hall of a VIP parking area of the stadium.

The other victim is a 27-year-old woman from Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, who was visiting for a live event held by a male idol group at the stadium.

She suffered a wound to her back, having gone to Boss E.Zo Fukuoka to meet a friend.

According to the police, Yamaguchi called the police at 2 a.m. Monday from a pay phone in Kasuga, a city adjacent to Fukuoka. He initially called to report he had seen the suspected attacker, but later confessed that he was the one who fled from the scene of the incidents before hanging up.

The police apprehended Yamaguchi later Monday and found him in possession of two knives. They suspect at least one was used in the attacks.

© KYODO