Knife and Bleach Attack at Japan Tire Factory Injures 15

Violent Workplace Assault Rocks Japanese Industrial Facility

A shocking attack at a Yokohama Rubber Company factory in Mishima, Japan has left 15 people injured, with five victims in critical condition after being stabbed. The incident, which occurred on December 26, 2025, involved a 38-year-old man who allegedly used both a survival knife and bleach in a coordinated assault on workers at the tire manufacturing plant.

Details of the Attack

The attack unfolded around 4:30 PM local time (8:30 AM CET) at the factory located approximately 2.3 kilometers southeast of Mishima Station in Shizuoka prefecture. According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, the suspect stabbed eight people and sprayed seven others with what appears to be bleach. Fire department officials reported receiving emergency calls stating that "five or six people were stabbed by someone" and that a "spray-like liquid" had been used in the assault.

'We heard screams and then saw people running from the production area,' said one factory worker who witnessed the chaos but asked not to be named. 'Security personnel responded quickly, but the damage was already done.'

Suspect and Investigation

Shizuoka prefectural police arrested the 38-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. The suspect was reportedly wearing what appeared to be a gas mask and armed with a survival knife during the attack. Police sources told NHK that the man likely had some connection to the factory, though it remains unclear whether he was a current or former employee.

'We are investigating all possible motives and connections,' stated a police spokesperson during a press conference. 'The suspect is currently in custody and cooperating with our investigation.'

Victim Conditions and Response

Emergency services responded with multiple ambulances and fire trucks to the scene. All 15 injured workers were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Medical officials confirmed that five of the eight stabbing victims are in serious condition, while the seven individuals exposed to the chemical substance suffered varying degrees of injury but remained conscious.

The Yokohama Rubber Company, which operates the factory producing tires for trucks and buses, issued a statement expressing "deep regret" over the incident and confirming that operations at the facility have been temporarily suspended. The company employs approximately 987 workers at the Mishima plant.

Context of Violence in Japan

This attack comes amid growing concerns about workplace violence in Japan, though the country maintains relatively low violent crime rates compared to other developed nations. According to Statista, Japan recorded approximately 24.3 assault cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, with strict gun control laws resulting in firearms being used in less than 1% of cleared homicide cases.

However, Japan has experienced several high-profile knife attacks in recent years, including a December 2025 incident in Taiwan where three people were killed in a shopping mall attack, and a November 2025 stabbing of a mother and four children in Germany. These incidents have raised questions about security measures in public and workplace settings.

'While Japan remains one of the safest countries in the world, this attack highlights vulnerabilities in industrial security,' noted security analyst Kenji Tanaka. 'The combination of edged weapons and chemical agents represents a particularly dangerous threat scenario that emergency planners need to address.'

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, with forensic teams examining the scene and interviewing witnesses. The factory remains closed as police complete their investigation, and counseling services have been made available to affected employees and their families.

This incident marks one of the most serious workplace attacks in Japan in recent memory and has prompted discussions about enhancing security protocols at industrial facilities across the country.