Suspected Tear Gas Attack Injures 19 at Tokyo’s Ginza Six Mall — Emergency Services Respond
TOKYO | May 26, 2026 — 12:15 AM JST
TOKYO — At least 19 people were taken to hospital and more than 50 emergency vehicles were dispatched after a man sprayed a suspected toxic substance inside the Ginza Six luxury shopping complex in central Tokyo on Monday evening, authorities said.
Police received reports around 7:40 PM local time of an “irritating smell” near an ATM on the second floor of the building, followed by shoppers falling ill with burning throats, severe coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Officers who responded found a man in his 40s spraying the substance from a canister before fleeing the scene. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the suspect or the nature of the chemical used. Initial tests suggested the substance may have been a form of tear gas, though this has not been formally verified.
“My throat started stinging and hurting as I approached the ATM,” one elderly woman told local broadcaster NHK. “I couldn’t breathe properly for several minutes.”
Ginza Six, one of Tokyo’s most upscale shopping complexes spanning 12 floors above ground, was immediately evacuated. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has launched an active investigation and is reviewing security footage to identify and locate the suspect.
No fatalities have been reported. Emergency services treated approximately 25 people at the scene, with 19 requiring hospitalisation for respiratory symptoms. Authorities say the condition of those hospitalised is not life-threatening.
Japan’s National Police Agency has classified the incident as a potential chemical attack and has deployed hazardous materials response units to the scene. The area remained cordoned off more than two hours after the attack as investigators worked to confirm the substance involved and determine whether a wider public health threat exists.
Ginza Six, located in one of Tokyo’s most visited tourist and commercial districts, draws thousands of shoppers daily. Police are urging anyone with information about the suspect or additional footage from the incident to come forward.
This is a developing story. Updates to follow as more information becomes available.
