The attack shocked Japan

On May 26, Japan arrested a suspect in a knife and gun attack that killed four people in Nakano City the previous evening. Of course, most people breathed a sigh of relief after the suspect was caught, but the view of a completely peaceful Japan as before continued to be shaken by this incident.

Police stand guard near the scene of an attack in Nakano, central Japan, on May 25. Photo: Kyodo

This is a shocking case in a country with a low murder rate and extremely strict gun control like Japan. According to Japan Times, the suspect was identified as Masanori Aoki, 31 years old, the eldest son of Mr. Masamichi Aoki, Chairman of the Nakano City Council, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. Immediately after the incident, residents were advised not to leave their homes unless necessary, while students at elementary and middle schools were asked to evacuate to a safe place. About 60 people living within a 300m radius of the scene were evacuated to the junior high school gymnasium, where local officials provided shelter, blankets, food and drinks.

“It’s so sad that something like this happened in my neighborhood,” one man told NHK. “I couldn’t sleep all night.” Others questioned whether the country needed to prepare for more attacks like this.

Authorities are urgently investigating the suspect's motive for the attack. "About 100 investigators are working to clarify the full extent of this extremely serious incident," said Nagano police chief Iwao Koyama. The case has shocked not only the local population but also caused great insecurity in Japan, one of the safest countries in the world . The country of 125 million people has one of the lowest rates of gun crime in the world . In 2018, only nine deaths by gun were reported.

Notably, two police officers were among the four victims killed in the attack in Nagano on May 25. This is also a worrying fact because attacks on police are even rarer in this East Asian country, with the last incident taking place more than 30 years ago.

According to NHK , Aoki had a license since 2015 to own four hunting guns, including pistols and air guns. It is known that strict gun laws in Japan make owning a rifle almost impossible. According to The Guardian, after World War II, pacifism emerged as one of the governing philosophies in Japan. In 1946, police began to be equipped with guns at the request of the US military for security purposes. Japan's Firearms and Swords Control Law from 1958 stipulates that "no person shall own firearms and swords". Civilian ownership of handguns is prohibited. A few exceptions are handguns for hunting and sport, but under strictly limited conditions. Even Japanese police are not equipped with weapons in the military manner as in some other countries.

Last year, Japan was shocked when the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead in broad daylight. The incident sent shockwaves across the country and the international community, raising questions about whether adequate security measures were in place to protect important figures, despite Japan being considered a safe place where political violence is virtually non-existent. Then, in April 2023, current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was also hurled with an explosive pipe while campaigning in Wakayama City.

Gun control procedures are extremely strict.

The process of owning a gun in Japan is a 13-step process, and to qualify for a gun license, prospective buyers must take a hunting or shooting course, pass a written test, and take a shooting range test with at least 95% accuracy. They must also undergo a mental health assessment and a drug history check, as well as a rigorous background check that includes looking at criminal records, personal debt, involvement in organized crime, and relationships with family and friends. Once a gun is acquired, the owner must register the gun with the police and provide details of where the gun and ammunition are stored. Guns must be inspected by the police once a year, and gun owners must retake the course and take an exam every three years to renew their license. If the owner dies, the next of kin must surrender the gun to the government.

LE THU

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