On December 27, 2025, in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, a shocking random act of violence took place at the Yokohama Rubber Co. factory. A 38-year-old man carried out a dual attack using “chemicals and cold weapons,” leaving at least 15 people injured, with 5 in critical condition and fighting for their lives.
The attack occurred around 4:30 PM local time during a shift change between the day and night shifts at the factory. According to preliminary investigations by the police and fire department, the suspect’s methods were extremely violent and appeared to be planned.
The suspect first sprayed a large amount of a chemical liquid suspected to be bleach (sodium hypochlorite solution) on factory employees. The strong irritant gas instantly caused skin burns and respiratory discomfort in 7 people at the scene, leaving the staff defenseless as they shielded their faces to avoid the substance.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the suspect brandished a survival knife approximately 20 centimeters long and indiscriminately attacked the crowd. A total of 8 people were injured, with most of the wounds on their abdomen and back.
The Shizuoka Prefecture police, located west of Tokyo, arrested the 38-year-old man on the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.
According to information from investigators cited by the Asahi Shimbun, the suspect wore a gas mask during the attack, indicating an attempt to avoid inhaling toxic fumes while spraying bleach.
Although the police have not officially released the suspect’s name, there are reports suggesting that he was a former temporary worker at the factory. The suspect is currently remaining silent, and the authorities are investigating the direction of “retaliatory attacks against the former employer.”
The Fujiyama Southeast Fire Department stated that all the injured individuals have been transported to hospitals. Among them, 5 are in critical condition and are currently being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Seven individuals were injured due to exposure to bleach, with symptoms of skin redness, swelling, and conjunctivitis, with their conditions relatively stable.
The violent incident took place at the Yokohama Rubber factory in Hinode-cho, Mishima City. The factory, which has about 1,000 employees, serves as a core production facility for passenger and racing car tires. Following the attack, the factory has ceased production entirely and evacuated the staff. Yokohama Rubber’s headquarters subsequently issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and pledging full cooperation with the police investigation.
Japan has traditionally been known for its excellent public safety and strict gun control laws, but in recent years, there has been a rise in knife-related attacks. This “chemical + knife” form of workplace violence that occurred at the end of the year has once again raised concerns in Japanese society about factory security vulnerabilities and the risks of workplace retaliation.
(This article referenced reports from The Associated Press)