New developments have emerged in the stabbing incident at the Pokémon Center in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. Police investigations reveal that Daiki Hirokawa, 26, who fatally stabbed 21-year-old female employee Moe Harukawa on the evening of March 26, was the victim's former partner. He had previously been arrested on suspicion of stalking. Police also disclosed that Hirokawa had been advised to undergo psychological counseling but refused, ultimately leading to the tragedy.
The incident occurred around 7:20 PM JST on March 26, 2026, at the Pokémon Center on the second floor of Sunshine City in Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo. Police received reports of a man brandishing a knife. Upon arrival, they found Moe Harukawa stabbed and collapsed, while Daiki Hirokawa had self-inflicted stab wounds to his neck at the scene. Both were pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
Further police investigation revealed that the two had been in a relationship and broke up in July 2025. Subsequently, Hirokawa continued to engage in stalking behavior and was arrested in December last year on suspicion of violating the Anti-Stalking Act. At the time, police found a fruit knife in Hirokawa's car and confirmed he had secretly photographed Harukawa. During questioning, Hirokawa stated he wished to reconcile with the victim.
In January 2026, Hirokawa was released after a summary indictment. Police issued a restraining order against him and continued to monitor the situation. Additionally, the Metropolitan Police Department had advised Hirokawa to undergo psychological counseling, but he refused to cooperate. Police are currently investigating whether this refusal to seek counseling is linked to the incident.
On the other hand, Harukawa had at one point sought refuge in a different location. Despite Hirokawa knowing she worked at the Pokémon Center, she stated, "Because I love Pokémon, working here is a dream," and chose to continue her employment.
According to eyewitnesses, the store was crowded at the time of the incident, with families and foreign tourists present. Shouts for help and commotion were heard, and the crowd was urgently evacuated. Following the incident, The Pokémon Company announced the temporary closure of "Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo" and "Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe," stating that they would prioritize the well-being of their employees and fully cooperate with the police investigation.
via： TBS