An unknown perpetrator sprayed capsaicin-based tear gas at a bank cash-withdrawal counter inside the Ginza 6 shopping mall in Tokyo on Monday [1, 2].
The incident caused immediate panic in one of Japan's most affluent shopping districts, leading to a road blockade and a large-scale emergency response to treat affected civilians.
Authorities reported that 25 shoppers experienced pain and coughing following the attack [1]. More than 20 people were taken to the hospital for medical treatment [1]. The substance was released around noon on May 25 [1, 2].
Witnesses described a sudden onset of symptoms despite a lack of visible or olfactory warnings. Yuzo Suda, a witness at the scene, said that there was no smell or visible sign of the substance. Suda said that when he arrived about five meters from the site, his throat suddenly began to sting and he could not stop coughing [1].
Suda said that several other people around him were also coughing and choking [1]. The emergency response included firefighters providing aid to shoppers as the surrounding area was sealed off to the public [2].
Tokyo police are currently investigating the incident to identify the perpetrator and determine the motive behind the attack [1, 2]. No suspects have been named, and the specific reason for targeting the bank counter remains unknown [1, 2].
“My throat suddenly began to sting and I could not stop coughing.”
The use of a chemical irritant in a high-traffic commercial hub like Ginza 6 highlights a vulnerability in public spaces where security focuses on theft rather than chemical threats. The rapid hospitalization of over 20 people suggests a high concentration of the capsaicin-based agent, turning a localized prank or targeted attack into a significant public health event.
