Two Japanese soldiers killed by colleague soldiers, authorities announced

On Wednesday, an 18-year-old army trainee opened fire on three fellow soldiers at a firing range inside a Japanese military base, killing two of them, officials said.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene in Gifu Prefecture, police said.

Police said the suspect fired a rifle at another soldier during a shooting exercise at the Hino Base Shooting Range. A 25-year-old soldier was among the three injured, police said.

Japan’s army, the Ground Self-Defense Force, confirmed two of the wounded were later confirmed dead in hospital.

Many other people are believed to have attended the drill at the time of the shooting, but the details are still being investigated, said a military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing procedures.

Japan has strict gun control laws and is known as a safe country, but in recent years there have been serious violent incidents such as mass shootings in subways, indiscriminate murders with knives, and arson. and explosives.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida I was almost beaten Damage caused by a pipe bomb thrown by a suspect at an election site in April.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assassinated In July 2022, it was attacked by assailants using homemade firearms.

Last month, a man was arrested in Nagano Prefecture on suspicion of killing two women with a knife and shooting two police officers.