TOKYO (AP) — A shocking incident occurred in Japan when a man named Yuki Yazawa, 28, was arrested under the suspicion of deliberately driving his vehicle into seven schoolchildren as they were walking home from elementary school, resulting in injuries to all of them, with one child suffering serious injuries. The Osaka prefectural police indicated that they were treating the case as attempted murder rather than simple reckless driving, given Yazawa's own statements to investigators.
According to police reports, Yazawa expressed feelings of being "sick and tired of everything," which he cited as his motivation for the attack. Consequently, on May 1, 2025, he drove his car into the group of children in an apparent attempt to kill them. Following the incident, he was apprehended at the scene of the crime and is currently facing charges of attempted murder.
The schoolchildren involved, aged 7 and 8, were walking home when the horrific event unfolded. Among them, a 7-year-old girl suffered a broken jaw due to the collision, while the other six children, all boys, sustained minor injuries. Emergency services arrived quickly, as highlighted by television footage that showed ambulances parked along a narrow back street where medics provided first aid.
A witness to the incident recounted the terrifying scene, describing how the children fell to the ground, screaming in distress. The witness also noted that Yazawa remained silent and appeared dazed, staying in the driver's seat until police officers arrived to take control of the situation.
Violent crimes in Japan are statistically rare, but there has been a noticeable increase in high-profile attacks in recent years that usually involve knives or homemade explosives. For instance, the 2008 car attack and knifing spree in Akihabara, Tokyo, involved a man who drove his truck into a crowd, killing three individuals before exiting his vehicle to stab four more people to death.
This latest incident has raised concerns about public safety and the psychological well-being of individuals in society, especially regarding the safety of children. As investigations continue, the community is left to reflect on the tragic event and its implications for future public safety measures.
