Police Arrest Todong Knife Man To Officer In Front Of US Embassy In Tokyo Ahead Of Trump's Visit

UNSPLASH/Alex Martinez ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Police arrested a man who pointed a knife at officers in front of the US Embassy in Tokyo on Friday.

Currently Japan is increasing security ahead of US President Donald Trump's three-day visit.

A man in his 30s was detained at around 14.30 p.m. local time, Friday, October 24, after pointing a kitchen knife at an riot police officer on the road, reports a newspaper.

During the arrest, a male officer was injured in his right heel from a knife stab and hospitalized, according to the report, citing a police source. The report did not explain in detail how the injury occurred.

The motive behind the detained man's actions is not yet known. He has not provided any statements about the US or Trump during police interrogation, NHK reported.

Police have installed a police line and are investigating the location right across from the US Embassy in downtown Tokyo.

The incident comes days before plans for Trump's visit to Japan on 27-29 October, where he will meet Emperor Naruhito and newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has deployed up to 18,000 personnel to improve the security of the visit, Kyodo News reported earlier this week.

Japan has experienced several attacks on leading politicians in recent years.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed by homemade weapons in 2022, and a bomb attack that failed to target Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2023.

Strict gun control has seen knife attacks become a more common form of violence, with several incidents of stabbing on trains and train stations in recent years.