Overview
- A man wearing a white mask reportedly sprayed an unidentified substance at an ATM on the ground floor of GINZA SIX in central Tokyo, and the incident was reported to authorities on Monday.
- Emergency crews evacuated shoppers, sealed streets around the complex, and firefighters in hazardous-material suits examined people and took samples from the scene.
- About 20 people suffered symptoms such as throat irritation or stinging, most injuries were reported as mild and at least one person was taken to hospital for treatment.
- Police say the suspect fled the scene and officers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police are conducting a search while forensic teams test samples to identify the substance.
- The episode has heightened public concern in Japan because of past chemical attacks, and officials say findings from tests and the criminal probe will guide any changes to security or health warnings.