Suspected gunman takes hostages in Japan

An unsettling incident occurred on Tuesday at a hospital in Toda, Japan, where an apparent shooting left two individuals injured. The victims, identified as a doctor in his 40s and a patient in his 60s, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
According to a report in Japan Times, following the shooting, the suspect, believed to be aged between 50s and 70s, has taken hostages and is holed up in a post office.
The motive behind the shooting and the subsequent actions of the suspect remain unclear. Authorities are on high alert and are working diligently to resolve the situation and ensure the safety of all involved.
“At approximately 2:15 pm today, a person has taken hostages and holed up at a post office in Chuo 5-chome area of Warabi city… The perpetrator is possessing what appears to be a gun,” Warabi City authorities said on their website.
Japan is often praised for its safety, largely attributed to its strict gun-control regulations. These laws essentially prohibit residents from owning, carrying, or trading firearms. Even importing gun components is forbidden unless one possesses a valid gun license.
According to the latest data from the police agency in 2021, there were 177,719 registered firearms, predominantly used for hunting activities, Japan Times said in its report.