A school bus, center, is parked at the scene of an attack in Kawasaki, near Tokyo Tuesday, May 28, 2019. A man wielding a knife attacked commuters waiting at a bus stop just outside Tokyo during Tuesday morning’s rush hour, Japanese authorities and media said. (Kyodo News via AP)
KAWASAKI, Japan — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has described a fatal stabbing spree near Tokyo as “extremely harrowing,” adding that he is outraged and will take all necessary measures for children’s safety.
Authorities said a man carrying a knife in each hand attacked schoolgirls waiting at a bus stop here, just outside Tokyo, on Tuesday, wounding 16 people and leaving three dead, including himself. Most of the injured were schoolgirls at a Catholic school.
“It was an extremely harrowing incident in which many small children were victimized, and I feel strong resentment… I will take all possible measures to protect the safety of children,” Abe said.
The attack occurred as Abe hosted U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump has offered his sympathy to the victims.
Trump was finishing a state visit to Japan and was on stage with Abe when he made the comments about Tuesday’s attack.
“I want to take a moment to send our prayers and sympathy to the victims of the stabbing attack this morning in Tokyo. All Americans stand with the people of Japan and grieves for the victims and their families,” Trump said.
Reports said the attacker approached a group of children at the bus stop with a knife in each hand screaming “I will kill you!” The attacker reportedly eventually killed himself. /kga