A man wielding a saw slashed and injured two members of Japanese female pop group AKB48, rated by Guinness as the world's biggest such group, at a fan event in Japan, leaving the country stunned at the extremely rare violent crime.
The group, known for its perky routines, was shaking hands with fans at a meet-and-greet function on Sunday (local time), when the man attacked them with a weapon described variously as a 50-cm-long saw or a hatchet, Japanese media said.
"This sort of thing is unimaginable," one fan told Japanese television. "I'm in shock."
Group members Rina Kawaei,19, and Anna Iriyama, 18, received emergency surgery for cut and broken fingers, with Iriyama also suffering cuts to the face, media said.
"The surgery ended successfully and their condition is stable," their manager said. "They should be able to leave hospital tomorrow."
A male staff member received cuts to his hand.
Police arrested a 24-year-old high school dropout for attempted murder after the event, in the northeastern city of Takizawa, was interrupted by screams of "Stop!" and "No!"
There were no bag checks, and fans have said most of the group's events have only cursory checks at best, prompting newspapers to call for tighter security. The incident featured on several newspaper front pages and television shows.
Security checks tend to be light in Japan, which has stiff gun control laws, and violent crime involving weapons is rare.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/10085781/Slasher-attacks-Japan-pop-girl-group-AKB48
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