Gunman Takes Refuge in Japanese Post Office Following Shooting Incident at Nearby Hospital, Authorities Confirm

A post office in central Japan is currently being barricaded by a suspected gunman following an incident in which two individuals were injured and gunshots were reportedly heard at a nearby hospital, according to authorities on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Toda city, Saitama prefecture, situated near Tokyo, and resulted in injuries to a doctor and a male patient, as confirmed by the police to CNN.

The male suspect, estimated to be aged between 50 and 70, escaped from the scene and took refuge in the Warabi post office, which is located approximately 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) away from the hospital, as stated by the police.

Toda Mayor Fumihito Sugawara officially announced on social media that an individual, who is believed to be possessing a firearm, has barricaded himself inside the post office premises. He cautioned the residents to refrain from approaching the vicinity.

The area around a post office where a suspected gunman has barricaded himself in Warabi, Saitama prefecture on October 31, 2023.

Police received a report of the incident at 1 p.m. local time, and an hour later, an eyewitness informed NHK, the public broadcaster, about hearing what seemed to be additional gunshots.

Gun violence in Japan is exceptionally uncommon. The nation boasts one of the lowest rates of gun-related crime globally, primarily attributed to its stringent regulations concerning firearm possession. However, the shocking assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Nara city during a campaign speech occurred just last year.

This is a developing story and will be updated.