Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

Car attack in Japan: Man rams into Osaka schoolchildren

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 May 2025 15:49
3 Min Read

A shocking car attack in Osaka left seven schoolchildren injured, as a Tokyo man reportedly confessed to attempting to kill out of despair, reviving fears about rare but deadly crimes in Japan.

Listen
  • x
  • Car attack in Japan: Man rams into Osaka schoolchildren
    First aid responders treat schoolchildren after being attacked by a car, May 1, 2025. (Social Media)

A 28-year-old man was arrested on Thursday in Osaka after ploughing his car into a group of schoolchildren in what local media described as a deliberate car attack, a rare but disturbing act of violence in Japan.

The incident took place as seven children were walking home from school. According to public broadcaster NHK and other Japanese outlets, all the children were injured and taken to the hospital. Authorities reported that all seven remained conscious and none were in life-threatening condition.

Although police have not confirmed details to international news agencies, NHK cited unidentified investigative sources stating that the suspect, who lives in Tokyo, admitted to driving the car with the intention to kill.

Reports indicate that the man told police he was "fed up with everything" and made the decision to ram his vehicle into the children to "kill someone." NHK noted that the man has been held by Osaka police on suspicion of attempted murder.

Witnesses told Nippon TV that the car was seen “zigzagging” before striking the children. “One girl was covered in blood, and other kids had what appeared to be scratches,” one bystander said. The suspect, who was reportedly wearing a surgical mask, looked “in shock” after being pulled out of the vehicle by nearby school staff.

Related News

Japan learns the hard way; US alliance is conditional: WaPo

US demands allies' plans in event of Taiwan war erupting

Violent crime in Japan

The scene quickly descended into chaos, with local teachers intervening to subdue the suspect. Eyewitnesses expressed horror at the sudden act of violence in what is typically one of the world’s safest countries.

Though violent crime in Japan is statistically rare, incidents like this have a deep societal impact and often revive national discussions around mental health and public safety.

This latest car incident echoes past tragedies, such as the 2008 Akihabara attack. In that case, attacker Tomohiro Kato rammed a rented truck into a crowd before going on a stabbing spree, killing seven. He was later executed in 2022.

Kato had expressed feelings of isolation and resentment prior to the attack, including online posts complaining of social rejection and job instability, factors that some experts cited as contributors to his violent outburst.

Japan, along with the United States, is one of the only G7 nations to retain the death penalty, with widespread public support. Shocking incidents such as Thursday’s attempted murder in Japan often renew debate about crime prevention, mental health services, and sentencing policies.

The Osaka police continue their investigation into the suspect’s motives and background, while the country reels from yet another reminder that even rare acts of violence can leave lasting scars.

Read more: Japan births fall to lowest in 125 years

  • Japan
  • car ramming
  • osaka

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS