Tokyo, March 27, 2026 – A female employee in her 20s was fatally stabbed at Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, on the evening of March 26, 2026. The attacker, a man also in his 20s, then stabbed himself and died at the scene.
According to Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the incident occurred at around 7:15 p.m. on the second floor of the store. The man entered the store, went behind the counter, and stabbed the female employee in the neck multiple times with knives held in both hands. He then stabbed himself in the neck. Both victims were transported to hospital but were pronounced dead within an hour.
The store was crowded with families and children during the spring break period. Shoppers evacuated in panic after hearing screams, with staff guiding customers to safety. Witnesses reported seeing people running and store fixtures being knocked over in the chaos.
Victim and Suspect Identified
Police have identified the victim as Moe Harukawa (春川萌衣), 21, a part-time employee from Hachioji, Tokyo. The suspect was Daiki Hirokawa (広川大起), 26, whose address and occupation remain unclear.
Investigators believe the two had a prior relationship. The victim had previously consulted police about stalking by the suspect, and authorities had taken action under the Stalker Regulation Act, including issuing prohibition orders and making an arrest in the past. Police are treating the case as murder and are investigating the full background and motive.
Pokémon Company Response
The Pokémon Company announced that Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and the adjacent Pikachu Sweets café will remain temporarily closed until further notice. The company stated it will prioritize full cooperation with the police investigation and the physical and mental care of its staff.
The statement read: “We deeply apologize for the significant concern and inconvenience caused to everyone.” The announcement has drawn criticism on social media for its corporate tone, which many said focused on inconvenience rather than directly expressing condolences to the victim’s family.
This incident, though rare in Japan’s retail environment, has raised concerns about personal safety and stalking cases in public spaces. Police continue their investigation.
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