Sociology student assaults classmates with hammer in shocking classroom attack

In Japan, a serious incident occurred at Hosei University's Tama campus, where a hammer attack took place during class, injuring eight students, on a Friday afternoon. The assailant, a 22-year-old female South Korean sociology student, reportedly used a hammer found on campus to attack her classmates. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where the assailant swung the hammer randomly, leading to several minor injuries among students seated in the last row. The attack was said to stem from the attacker's feelings of frustration and being ignored, possibly due to bullying by her classmates, which she articulated to the police following her arrest. Police received reports of the attack around 3:45 PM and apprehended the student at the scene, where she reportedly seemed emotionally detached and lacking specific targets during her violent spree. Students who sustained injuries were treated but did not require hospitalization, and all remained conscious after the incident. The university’s administration announced a commitment to cooperate with ongoing police investigations and enhance campus safety measures in response to this disturbing event. Japan is known for its low rates of violent crime, making this incident particularly shocking. The attack raises broader social concerns, as it highlights issues of bullying and discrimination that can affect international students in Japan. The historical context of Korea-Japan relations, characterized by past grievances stemming from Japan's colonization of Korea, further complicates the atmosphere within educational institutions. Even though Japan generally experiences less random violence compared to other countries, incidents of stabbings and shootings have been increasingly reported in recent years, making this attack part of a troubling trend of violence in public spaces. Hosei University, where the attack took place, was founded over a century ago and is recognized for its commitment to education and student welfare. In light of the attack, the administration expressed concern for the well-being of their students and called for solidarity to prevent future incidents of violence. Authorities continue to investigate the suspected motivations behind the attack and consider the broader implications for student mental health and campus safety policies going forward.