Two individuals lost their lives on Wednesday when a cadet reportedly opened fire on fellow members of their unit at a military training center in central Japan, as confirmed by the country’s Ground Self-Defense Force (SDF) to CNN.
The shooting occurred during a live-fire training exercise, resulting in several other casualties, according to the SDF’s statement to CNN. The cadet was apprehended, and authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the incident.
Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated that the event occurred at approximately 9 a.m. at a shooting range in Hino City, located in the central Japanese prefecture of Gifu.
The Gifu Naka police station reported that two servicemen, aged 25 and 52, were killed in the incident. Another 25-year-old individual from the same military base sustained injuries.
During a televised press conference, Yasunori Morishita, the SDF’s Chief of Staff, expressed that such incidents should never transpire within an organization responsible for handling weapons.
He announced the establishment of an investigation committee to thoroughly examine the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
According to the Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the suspect is believed to be a teenager affiliated with the SDF, who allegedly used an automatic rifle during the shooting.
Gun violence is exceedingly rare in Japan, a nation with a population of 125 million. The country’s stringent gun control laws contribute to one of the lowest rates of firearm-related crimes globally.
However, there have been a series of notable violent incidents in Japan recently. Last month, four individuals, including two police officers, died in a shooting and stabbing incident in Nakano City, central Japan.
In 2022, Japan witnessed nine incidents involving firearms, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot with a homemade gun during a campaign speech, according to the National Police Agency.
Gangs and other groups were reportedly responsible for six of the nine incidents. In total, four individuals were killed and two were injured in these occurrences.