18-year-old trainee accused of shooting 3 soldiers at firing range on Japanese army base, killing 2

An 18-year-old military recruit is alleged to have shot three soldiers, resulting in two fatalities, during a training exercise at a Japanese army base, according to official reports.

The incident took place on a Wednesday at the Hino Kihon firing range, located within a military base in Gifu prefecture, central Japan. Authorities swiftly apprehended the accused on the base, charging him with attempted murder.

The shots were fired during a live-fire exercise, with the trainee reportedly using a rifle. The victims, all military personnel, were acting as the young recruit’s instructors during the drill. The Ground Self Defense Force, Japan’s primary land force, later confirmed that two of the wounded servicemen had tragically succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

The Army’s Chief of Staff, General Yasunori Morishita, expressed deep concern over the incident. “This is a serious event that should never occur within an organization that handles weapons,” said Morishita, adding, “As head of the army, I regard this incident with utmost severity.” In response to the tragic event, Morishita ordered a nationwide suspension of all training involving firearms and explosives as the army conducts an investigation and reassesses safety measures.

While it is understood that other individuals were present during the shooting, further details of the incident remain under investigation, as relayed by an anonymous army official, due to procedural reasons.

Japan is typically recognized for its strict gun control laws and high safety standards. Nevertheless, the country has witnessed a rise in high-profile violent incidents in recent times, including shootings, random subway stabbings, and arson attacks, raising concerns about homemade firearms and explosives.

Several political figures have also been targeted, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who narrowly escaped a pipe bomb attack during an election rally in April. The most shocking incident was the assassination of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022, carried out with a handmade firearm. Additionally, last month saw the arrest of a man who fatally shot two police officers and murdered two women with a knife in Nagano prefecture.

In unrelated political news, Donald Trump has entered a plea of not guilty against federal charges alleging his illegal possession of classified documents. Furthermore, Walt Nauta, a loyal Trump supporter, is potentially facing imprisonment. In Congress, the Republican-led House is considering legislation aimed at protecting gas stoves, colloquially known as “Stove Wars.” Lastly, President Biden celebrated Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday, at the White House.

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More about military training incident

• Japan Today – 18-year-old trainee accused of shooting 3 soldiers at firing range on Japanese army base, killing 2
• BBC News – Japan trainee soldier ‘shoots dead two comrades’
• Reuters – Japan suspends firing, explosives exercises after trainee soldier kills two
• The Japan Times – Trainee soldier shoots, kills 2 comrades at central Japan military firing range
• CNN – Trainee soldier kills two comrades at military firing range in Japan