Man Arrested for Slashing Train Seats After Delays on Osaka Line

Mar 24, 2026 | News On Japan

OSAKA - A 56-year-old man was arrested for allegedly slashing train seat covers on a JR line in Osaka on March 19th, with police suspecting links to around 300 similar incidents reported over the past four years.

The suspect, identified as company employee Masaaki Hanagata, was taken into custody at the scene and later transported to Sonezaki Police Station, where he was seen being escorted with his head lowered.

According to investigators, Hanagata allegedly used a box cutter to repeatedly slash the seat upholstery while sitting in a box seat on a train traveling along the JR Yamatoji Line at around 7:30 p.m.

The incident is believed to have occurred while he was returning home from work, and during questioning, Hanagata stated that he had been angered by frequent delays and service suspensions.

He further admitted that he had committed similar acts at least 50 to 60 times, police said.

Authorities are now investigating a possible connection between Hanagata and approximately 300 cases of similar seat damage reported mainly along the Yamatoji Line over the past four years.

Source: FNN

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