Five killed 
in Japanese knife horror

Five people have been killed in their homes in a stabbing spree in rural Japan.

A 40-year-old neighbour of the victims was arrested in connection with the attacks, said Keizo Okumoto, deputy police chief in the small island city of Sumoto, where the incident happened.

Mr Okumoto identified the suspect as Tatsuhiko Hirano, an unemployed man. The motive was unclear, and police have yet to find the murder weapon.

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A man and a woman were found dead in one house, and another man and two women from a nearby house died after being taken to hospital. The victims ranged in age from 60 to 80, according to media reports.

Violent crime is relatively rare in Japan, and even more so in most towns and small cities.

“Normally, we get one call a day, if that,” Mr Okumoto said. “And usually it’s about a bike theft or someone getting beaten up.”

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