Police arrest suspect in stabbing at Fukuoka entertainment complex housing HKT48

TOKYO — Japanese police said Monday they arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the stabbing of two people at an entertainment complex in Fukuoka that houses the girl group HKT48, authorities said.

The two victims were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A 44-year-old man was stabbed in the chest and a 27-year-old woman was stabbed in the back during the incident, which occurred Sunday, according to police and local media reports. The suspect fled the scene after the attack. Police said the case is being investigated as a possible attempted murder, but they declined to provide additional details.

The injured man worked for the HKT48 theater inside the complex and reportedly confronted the suspect in an area not open to the public. Kyodo News and other outlets quoted police saying the suspect was a regular at HKT48 fan events. In a statement, HKT48 said the staffer was recovering at a hospital.

Police said they were also investigating a separate stabbing Monday in another part of Fukuoka, though they declined to offer details. Media reports described an incident in which an older man was stabbed by a younger man on a sidewalk near a major train station, noting the injury appeared not to be life-threatening.

Violent crime remains relatively uncommon in Japan, a country with strict gun-control laws. Still, prosecutors and police have said knife attacks have occurred with increasing frequency in recent years, prompting renewed questions about security at public venues and entertainment complexes that host popular groups.

The entertainment complex at the heart of the investigation has been a focal point for fans of HKT48, a Japanese female pop group known for its theater performances and fan events. Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity or disclosed a motive, and investigators are continuing to review security footage and interview witnesses.

This incident adds to a broader conversation in Japan about crowd control and venue safety at venues hosting high-profile music acts, especially those with large, young fan bases. Officials in Fukuoka said they would increase patrols around entertainment districts while the investigation continues, and urged anyone with information to contact police.

The attack on Sunday and the subsequent arrest on Monday come amid a period of heightened attention to knife-related incidents in Japan. While mass shootings are rare due to strict gun laws, episodes of stabbing have drawn national and international focus, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance at public spaces.

As investigators work to determine how the suspect gained access to the area where the alleged confrontation occurred, questions remain about what motivated the attacker and whether the incident was targeted or random. Authorities stressed that no conclusions have been drawn about motive and that the investigation remains active.

Officials and industry representatives emphasized the importance of balancing fan engagement with safety, noting that large gatherings are a staple of pop culture in Japan and that security protocols are routinely reviewed following incidents. In Fukuoka, local authorities pledged to review access controls and messaging at venues that host major events to prevent unauthorized entry and to ensure rapid response should violence occur again.

The ongoing investigation will likely focus on the suspect’s movements before and after the stabbing, any possible connections to the victim or venue, and a more precise assessment of the risk factors surrounding the incident. Police declined to release further details about the case or confirm additional arrests.