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Tokyo Pokémon Center Stabbing Leaves Employee and Suspect Dead

Police say the man had a prior stalking arrest that led to a restraining order.

Overview

  • Police say the attacker stabbed a 21-year-old clerk at about 7:16 p.m. Thursday inside the Sunshine City Mega Tokyo store, then stabbed himself, and both died at a hospital.
  • Investigators identified the victim as 21 and the man as 26 and say they had dated until mid‑2024 before she reported stalking that led to a December arrest and a January 2025 restraining order.
  • A bloodstained knife was found on the second floor of the complex as officers reviewed security video and continued a murder inquiry.
  • The Pokémon Company closed the flagship store until further notice, saying it will cooperate with police and focus on employees’ mental and physical wellbeing.
  • Witnesses described a crowded shop with families and tourists fleeing, and the case underscores concern in Japan over knife attacks in busy public spaces and the limits of anti‑stalking protections for public‑facing workers.