Asia

Shooting At Japan Self-Defense Garrison Leaves Three Injured, Shooter Arrested

Having maintained one of the strictest gun control mandates, Japan has ensured that gun deaths have been kept to a minimum for decades; in fact, annual firearm-related deaths have largely remained in the single digits. Data complied by tracking site Statista found that there were just nine gun-related incidents in 2022 alone.
Sputnik
At least three members of the Japan Self-Defense Force sustained injuries on Wednesday after a shooting was reported at a military shooting range in Japan's Gifu city.
The suspected shooter, who has been described as a "teenager" and a soldier, has since been detained and held on suspicion of attempted murder. A motive for the incident has not been determined. In order to enlist in the Japanese forces one must be at least 18 years of age; it's believed the individual was a military trainee.
Of the three injured, reports indicate shooting victims included two men in their 20s and one man in his 50s. The extent of their injuries are unclear; however, state media noted that at least one of the individuals was described as being in critical condition.
Local media also reported that either one or two of the individuals succumbed to their wounds; however, it remains unconfirmed.
Japanese media earlier reported that the incident broke out at about 9 a.m. local time and that the shooting took place at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hino Basic Firing Range in Gifu, where the three service members were left with injuries.
Media reported that the shooting site was an indoor training ground used by the service's 10th division for "automatic rifle and pistol training."
An investigation into the Wednesday incident is ongoing.
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