A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly carrying out a knife attack that left four people injured outside a bookstore in Oita Prefecture, Japan.
The incident unfolded at around 10am on Monday in the car park of a Tsutaya bookstore in Saiki City, where the suspect allegedly began attacking members of the public with a kitchen knife.
According to police, a man in his 60s was stabbed in the abdomen, while another man in his 80s, a second man in his 60s and a teenage girl also suffered stab wounds during the attack.
Authorities said the elderly victim was attacked while sitting inside his car.
Three of the victims managed to flee into the bookstore, where they sought help from staff. An employee immediately contacted emergency services after witnessing the injured victims.
All four victims were taken to hospital, with police confirming that none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Shortly after the attack, police received another emergency call from a nearby medical facility reporting a man carrying a knife.
Officers quickly responded to the area and arrested the suspect, identified as Hiroshi Noshita, at the scene.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine the motive behind the stabbing spree.
