Police in the central Japanese city of Toda are actively investigating a reported shooting at a local hospital. Initial reports from local media state that a doctor in his 40s and a patient in his 60s sustained injuries during the incident.
Following the shooting, the suspect, believed to be in his 40s or 50s and of medium build, made his escape on a motorcycle. He later took several hostages at a post office in the adjacent city of Warabi, as confirmed by the city’s official website.
As a precautionary measure, surrounding establishments have been temporarily sealed off.
Incidents of this nature are an anomaly in Japan due to its stringent gun control measures. The country’s laws permit civilians to possess only hunting rifles and airguns, and even then, prospective gun owners must successfully navigate a series of rigorous tests and mental health evaluations before they can make a purchase.
