Japanese soldiers have been killed after a teenage recruit opened fire at a military base in Japan on Wednesday hitting two fellow members of the country’s Self-Defence Force. According to reports from the authorities, the 18-year-old suspect was detained in central Japan’s Gifu prefecture on suspicion of attempted murder.
According to reports from the authorities, the 18-year-old suspect was detained in central Japan’s Gifu prefecture on suspicion of trying to kill someone.
A 25-year-old soldier was among those hurt when the accused shot a rifle at other soldiers during a shooting exercise at the Hino Kihon firing range.
Two of the victims passed away from their wounds after being brought to a hospital, according to the Ground Self Defence Force, the army of Japan.
Several individuals were reported to be participating in the training session at the time of the shooting incident.
While Japan has a reputation for strict gun control laws and being a safe country, there have been instances of notable acts of violence in recent years.
These include shootings, random knife attacks in subways, arson incidents, and an emerging concern regarding homemade firearms and explosives.
In April, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida narrowly avoided being struck by a pipe bomb that was thrown by a suspect at an election campaign location.
In a separate incident, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in July 2022 by an assailant who employed a homemade firearm.
Just last month, a man was apprehended after allegedly causing the death of two women by stabbing them with a knife in Nagano, and subsequently shooting and killing two police officers.
Prospective gun buyers in Japan are required to undergo rigorous examinations and mental health assessments.
The most recent occurrence involving the killing of multiple police officers transpired in 1990 when two officers were shot by members of a criminal organization in Okinawa prefecture.
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s demise deeply shocked the nation as political violence incidents are exceedingly rare in a country where handguns are prohibited.
Statistically, Japan witnessed only six incidents of gun-related fatalities in 2014, a stark contrast to the staggering figure of 33,599 gun-related deaths recorded in the United States.
In order to be eligible for a firearm license, individuals are required to complete an extensive process. This includes attending a full-day course, passing a written exam, as well as a shooting-range test with a minimum accuracy rate of 95 per cent.
A thorough background check is conducted, encompassing criminal records, personal debt, connections to organized crime, and relationships with family and acquaintances.
Once granted permission to own a firearm, the owner must register their weapon with the police and provide information regarding the storage of the gun and ammunition.
