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Teenager fatally stabbed in Osaka as Japan faces scrutiny over rising crimes

Photo credit - Kyodo News

By The South Asia Times

TOKYO - A 17-year-old boy was killed and two others injured late Saturday in a stabbing incident in Osaka’s Dotonbori entertainment district, local police confirmed, according to Kyodo News.

The fatal altercation unfolded just before midnight on Feb. 14 in one of Japan’s busiest nightlife and tourism hubs, where restaurants and bars line the canal.

A suspect believed to be in his 20s was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of murder after officers located him following an overnight search. Local authorities said the suspect was known to the victims and that a dispute preceded the attack.

The deceased, identified as Ryunosuke Kamada from Tawaramoto, in Nara Prefecture, died from multiple stab wounds, including serious injuries to the chest.

Two other 17-year-old boys were taken to the hospital with upper-body injuries, police said.

The stabbing has drawn sharp international notice this weekend, coming amid broader concerns over incidents involving foreign visitors and residents in Japan.

Earlier this year, embassies, particularly those representing China, issued travel advisories urging citizens to reconsider plans to visit or remain in Japan, citing a perceived uptick in crimes targeting foreign nationals and other safety issues.