JR Japan train unknown spray incident, 3 unwell, 16-year-old arrested

TOKYO (CNA) -- An incident occurred on the JR Tokaido Line on the 10th of this month, where an unknown spray was discharged inside a train car, resulting in three people being sent to the hospital and train services being suspended. Police today arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of 'obstruction of business by force' (威力業務妨害).

According to Asahi Shimbun and NHK, Kanagawa Prefectural Police announced the arrest of the suspect today and stated that the suspect admitted to the act, saying, 'It is true that I sprayed the spray I had, causing other passengers to have sore throats and the train to stop.'

The police also stated that the suspect lives in Ota Ward, Tokyo, and identifies himself as a construction worker. He is suspected of spraying an unknown substance inside a Tokaido Line train, which was stopped at JR Yokohama Station and heading towards Kawasaki, around 4:32 PM on the 10th of this month. This caused passengers in the car to have sore throats, led to an emergency stop of the train, and delayed train operations by 2 hours and 15 minutes.

At the time, a couple in their 30s with their 1-year-old daughter felt discomfort in their throats and were later hospitalized, fortunately with minor symptoms.

After the train made an emergency stop at Kawasaki Station, police and firefighters rushed to the scene, causing a commotion.

Several passengers stated that while the family of three was in the Green Car (equivalent to business class), several young men and women, including the suspect, entered the car from an adjacent carriage. When they left the car, 'the smell of pepper immediately wafted out.'

Following an investigation by fire authorities, no toxic components were detected in the train car.

JR Tokaido Line services were affected by this incident, with operations resuming approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes later, impacting about 1,200 passengers.

Police reviewed surveillance camera footage inside the train to track down the suspect and later identified the 16-year-old boy in the car. Police are currently investigating the details of the case. (Compiled by Yang Wei-ching) 1150512

Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.

Download CNA 'Firsthand News' APP to stay updated.

The text, images, and audio/video content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.