A violent incident at a Pokemon Center located in Tokyo has resulted in the death of a retail employee. On March 26, 2026, emergency services were called to the busy shopping complex in which the Pokemon Center is located, following reports of a man wielding multiple knives.
Pokemon Center Employee Killed in Stabbing, Suspect Had Prior Stalking Arrests
According to information from authorities, a man entered the Pokemon Center, pushed his way behind the counter, and suddenly attacked the employee, who was reportedly a woman in her twenties. The man, wielding knives in both hands, carried out his attack before then using the knives to end his own life.
This area, being located near one of Tokyo’s major transport hubs, meant that it was very busy at the time the attack unfolded, crowds full of families and children out and about during Japan’s spring break.
A rapid evacuation was prompted following the attack, and police secured the scene shortly after the incident to begin a full investigation. Officers are continuing to speak with witnesses and review evidence to determine the circumstances leading to this tragic outcome.
Considering the store’s reputation as a family-oriented location, the attack has shocked and frightened individuals in the area. This is one of several isolated incidents involving knives in recent years, most of which have drawn national attention due to Japan’s generally low levels of violent crime.
It has since been confirmed that the attacker was an ex-boyfriend of the victim, who had been arrested on multiple occasions in the months leading up to the attack, including for stalking. The worker who passed away as a result of the attack, Moe Harukawa, was a 21-year-old woman who had been working at the store since July 2025. The attacker, Taiki Hirokawa, 26, had been in a relationship with her between 2024 and 2025.
In late 2026, Harukawa reported to police that she was being stalked by Hirokawa. After her statement was taken, she was escorted back to her home in Hachioji, where she stayed with her family. Hirokawa was arrested that same day by authorities for violating the anti-stalking law by watching the home.
In early 2026, Hirokawa was arrested again under suspicion of taking photos of Harukawa in August 2025. He was also charged with possession of a fruit knife containing a blade length of approximately 10 centimeters, found inside a rental car at the time of his initial arrest.
In January 2026, Hirokawa was issued a restraining order. He openly admitted to his stalking behaviors, stating that he wished to ‘get back together’ with Harukawa. He was indicted on three charges and released on January 30.
He was then known to stay at a relative’s home outside Tokyo between January and February 2026. Harukawa was contacted by police on the day of his release, as well as on both February 25 and March 12, with no abnormalities to report.
At around 7:15 PM on March 26, police received an emergency call relaying information about a person with a knife at the Pokemon Center store, which ultimately led to the loss of Harukawa’s life.
Despite the tragedy, police have reported that measures were put in place to prevent such an incident from occurring. Chief of the MPD’s personal safety has stated: “We believe we took the best possible measures available.”
The Pokemon Center store in Tokyo is currently closed as investigations are carried out, with confirmation that plans for re-opening will be announced at a later date. A representative for Pokemon Center stores has yet to make any comment on the incident.