AKB48 members injured during handshaking event by man wielding saw; performances suspended for the time being

AKB48 which was holding a handshaking event in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture, on 25 May, got a rude shock when a man wielding a saw injured two of its members i.e. Kawaei Rina and Iriyama Anna and a male staff member. The man who is 24 years old and from Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, was arrested for alleged attempted murder.

According to the police, the man had queued up to enter a tent used for the handshaking event and had used the saw to hurt the two AKB48 members and the male staff member who rushed to stop him. The saw was a foldable type which was about 25cm long. The two members underwent surgery at a hospital in Morioka City and are scheduled to be discharged on 27 May.

In view of what happened, the performances at the AKB48 Theatre on 26 May will be cancelled and there will be further announcements if and when the performances will resume. Meanwhile, NMB48's 9th performance of the "NMB48 feat. Yoshimoto Shin Kigeki" and the handshaking event at Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, will also be postponed.

Source: Mainichi Shimbun /