A woman was stabbed at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo on Thursday evening (26 March).
Players and collectors visiting one of Japan’s most iconic Pokémon retail hubs were met with a shocking incident this week, as a fatal stabbing at Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo has led to the deaths of both a store employee and the suspect.
On 26 March, a female store clerk was stabbed by a man inside Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, located in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, Tokyo. The suspect later turned the weapon on himself. According to Japanese outlet Jiji News, both individuals later died from their injuries.
What happened inside Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo during the attack
The incident occurred at around 7:15pm local time while the store was open to the public. Reports state that the man, believed to be in his 20s or 30s, entered the store alone before moving behind the counter and attacking the employee with a knife-like object. He then inflicted injuries on himself.
At the time, there were reportedly more than 100 customers inside the store, including families, children, and international visitors. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with shouts of “Run away!” and “Help!” heard throughout the area.
The second floor of the building, where the incident took place, houses around 20 shops, including character stores and bookstores. A nearby shop employee reported hearing from evacuating customers that someone had been stabbed, with the situation becoming increasingly alarming as more details emerged.
Emergency services responded to the scene, but subsequent reports confirmed that both the victim and the suspect succumbed to their injuries.
Tokyo police investigate why woman was targeted in Pokémon Center attack
Authorities from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have launched an investigation into the case on suspicion of murder. Initial findings indicate that the suspect and victim were previously acquainted.
A follow-up report by Jiji News on 27 March identified the victim as Moe Harukawa (21), a part-time worker from Hachioji City, Tokyo. The suspect was identified as Daiki Hirokawa (26), whose address and occupation remain undisclosed.
According to investigators, the two met in December 2023 while working the same part-time job and later began a relationship in October 2024, before breaking up in July 2025.
Police records indicate that Harukawa had previously reported Hirokawa for stalking. In December, she filed a complaint, which led to his arrest for violating Japan’s Stalker Regulation Law. Authorities also discovered a fruit knife in a rental car linked to the suspect, along with footage on his phone that allegedly showed him secretly filming Harukawa after their separation.
Further reports state that Hirokawa had been re-arrested in January 2026 on suspicion of violating additional laws, including the Firearms and Swords Control Law and regulations concerning illicit filming. A restraining order had also been issued against him prior to the incident.
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo temporarily closed
Following the incident, The Pokémon Company confirmed the temporary closure of Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and Pikachu Sweets. In an official statement, the company said:
“Thank you for your continued patronage of Pokémon Centers. Due to the incident that occurred on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in Sunshine City, Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, we will be temporarily closed until further notice, prioritizing our full cooperation with the police and the physical and mental well-being of our staff," the statement said.
“We sincerely apologize for the great concern and inconvenience this has caused everyone,” they added. "We will inform you again when we will be reopening for business.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
