Rare gun and knife attack in Japan leaves four dead

A man armed with a gun and a knife went on a rampage in a residential area of Tokyo on Tuesday, killing four people and injuring two others before being shot dead by police.

The attack, which took place in the city's Setagaya district, is the first major gun attack in Japan in years. The country has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world, and there are an estimated only 100,000 registered guns in a population of 125 million.

The suspect, who has not been identified, was reportedly a 26-year-old man who lived in the area. He is believed to have used a shotgun and a knife in the attack.

The victims of the attack included a 70-year-old woman, a 69-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, and a 36-year-old man. The two injured people were a 71-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man.

The motive for the attack is still unclear. Police are investigating whether the suspect was mentally ill or had any other connection to the victims.

The attack has shocked Japan, a country that is known for its low crime rate. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the attack and called for swift action to prevent future incidents.

"This is a barbaric act of violence that cannot be tolerated," Kishida said. "We will take all necessary measures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again."

The attack has also raised questions about Japan's gun control laws. Some experts have called for stricter laws, while others have said that the existing laws are sufficient.

"This is a very rare event in Japan," said Tetsuya Kataoka, a professor of law at Keio University. "But it shows that we need to be vigilant about gun violence."

The attack is a reminder that even in a country with strict gun control laws, violence can still happen. It is important to be aware of your surroundings and to take steps to protect yourself.