News

Several Handshaking Events Cancelled After Idol Attack

Singer Ray and idol unit AŌP both cancelled their scheduled handshake events for the second day of the @ JAM 2016 event on Sunday, after the reported stabbing of idol Mayu Tomita (pictured at right, no relation to the former AKB48 member of the same name) on Saturday.

Tomita, who is 20 years old, is currently in critical condition after having received nearly two dozen stab wounds on the neck and chest. Police found the suspect, 27-year old Tomohiro Iwazaki, at the scene. According to police, Iwazaki allegedly admitted that he had stabbed Tomita due to her returning a gift he had sent her, without clearly explaining the reason why. He had allegedly been waiting for her at the station to ask her about the gift.

Police have stated that Tomita approached them about Iwazaki earlier this month, claiming that he had been sending her messages on Twitter and on her blog. The police have arrested Iwazaki on the charge of attempted murder.

Tomita was scheduled to perform at a venue in Koganei, Tokyo on the night of the attack. She has yet to regain consciousness after the attack.

The @ JAM 2016 event took place at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo on Saturday and Sunday. Apart from Ray and AŌP, the event also featured Nijiro Fanfare, GEM, Cheeky Parade, Niji no Conquistador, Babyraids Japan, Yumemiru Adolescence, Otome Shintō, Moso Calibration, BanG Dream!, Ami Wajima, PASSPO, Kami Yado, Yurika Kubo, mimimemeMIMI, Idol Renaissance, Osaka Shunkashūtō, Super Girls, Band Janai Mon!, Haruka Chisuga, and Inori Minase.

Sources: The Japan Times, BBC via Hachima Kikō, Yaraon!

Thanks to Grace Bellerby for the news tip.