In this week’s news roundup we report on a fatal knife attack at the Pokémon Center in Ikebukuro. A GSDF officer attempts to breach the Chinese embassy. Iran says it is willing to let Japanese ships pass the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Washington visit draws a mixed reaction at home. A deer is spotted wandering the streets of Osaka. And sumo wrestler Kirishima is promoted to ozeki again after winning his third Emperor’s Cup.
Woman Dies After Knife Attack at Pokémon Store
A female employee was tragically stabbed to death at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City commercial complex on Thursday evening. The suspected assailant also died after stabbing himself. The incident occurred shortly after 7:15 p.m. local time. The attacker and victim, both believed to be in their 20s, were pronounced dead at the hospital within an hour of the attack.
Broadcaster TV Asahi said the assailant was seen wielding knives in both hands. According to Kyodo News, the woman knew the man and had previously consulted the Metropolitan Police Department about him stalking her. Police are investigating the circumstances. In a statement on its website, Pokémon said it was temporarily closing the store “to fully cooperate with the police and prioritize the mental wellbeing” of its staff.
Japan Expresses Regret After GSDF Officer Breaches Chinese Embassy
At around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Kodai Murata, a 23-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) second lieutenant stationed at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, barged into the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. Carrying a knife, he demanded an audience with Ambassador Wu Jianghao. His aim was to tell him to stop making hardline remarks about Japan. He added that he planned to take his own life if his demands were rejected.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara condemned Murata’s actions. “It is truly regrettable that a Self-Defense Forces member, who is expected to comply with the law, has been arrested on suspicion of entering the embassy premises,” Kihara told reporters. He added that “Police are already conducting an investigation to clarify what happened and have implemented necessary measures to strengthen security.”
Strait of Hormuz Open to Japan Says Iranian Foreign Minister
Iran is willing to let Japanese ships pass the Strait of Hormuz. That is according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who says Tehran is prepared to coordinate with Tokyo for safe transit through the strategic waterway. On Saturday, he posted on Telegram the transcript of his interview with Kyodo News, stating, “We have not closed the Strait. In our view, it is open.”
He added, “It is only closed to the ships of our enemies, the countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait. Of course, there is an issue of insecurity. We are ready to provide them with safe passage if they get in touch.” According to Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Tokyo is focused on ensuring “conditions where everyone can pass.”
Image: The White House
Takaichi’s Washington Visit Draws Mixed Reaction in Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi returned to Tokyo on Saturday after a brief visit to Washington. Reaction in Japan has been mixed, with some praising her handling of US President Donald Trump and others criticizing what they saw as overly deferential behavior. The visit has also sparked a wave of online memes, including clips of her dancing at the White House.
Takaichi’s main goal was to avoid making concrete security commitments regarding the conflict in Iran while simultaneously keeping Trump on board. After greeting him with a hug, her strategy was to use flattery, telling him, “I firmly believe that it’s only you, Donald, that can achieve peace across the world.” She also described his son Barron as “a good-looking gentleman” who had clearly inherited his looks from his parents.
From Treasure to Outcast: The Osaka-Stranded Deer That Can’t Return to Nara
A lone deer was this week seen wandering around the streets of Osaka. Believed to have strayed from Nara Park, it now sits in a legal gray zone. Within the park it is protected as a “natural monument.” However, as Nara Governor Makoto Yamashita explained on Wednesday, once a deer leaves the area, it loses that status. The city, therefore, will not be able to accept the animal.
While it’s possible the deer originated elsewhere, its behavior — not panicking or being aggressive around humans — suggests it came from Nara Park, more than 30 kilometers away. Found on the grounds of a police facility, bait was used to lure the deer into a cage. It has since been transferred to an animal control center, where it is being held in temporary custody.
Composite image by Victoria Bennett | Sources: Wikimedia
Kirishima Promoted to Ozeki for the Second Time
In May 2024, Kirishima lost his ozeki rank, a major setback for one of sumo’s rising stars. Now, just under two years later, the Mongolian wrestler has reclaimed the rank following his victory at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka. It was his third Emperor’s Cup triumph and his first since 2023. “It felt really heavy, holding it for the first time in a while,” said Kirishima.
He added, “Today’s my mother’s birthday, and I’m able to send her the best present.” Going into the weekend, Kirishima had a 12-1 record, two ahead of his closest contenders, Yokozuna Hoshoryu and Maegashira Kotoshoho. He lost to Ozeki Aonishiki on Saturday, but was confirmed as the winner following Hoshoryu and Kotoshoho’s defeats. He finished with a 12-3 record after being overpowered by Ozeki Kotozakura on the final day.
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Updated On March 30, 2026
