A disgruntled former Mazda worker has driven his car at a crowd outside the factory where he used to work, killing one and injuring 10 in an apparent revenge attack.
Hikiji was let go from the factory in April
Toshiaki Hikiji ignored security at the gate and drove into Mazda's Ujina plant in south-west Japan as workers were arriving for a new morning shift. He fled the scene on foot but was arrested about an hour later. According to Japanese media reports, Hikiji was a contract worker who was let go from the factory in the Hiroshima Prefecture in April. It is believed the 42-year-old bore a grudge against the car-maker and police say he was carrying a knife with the intention to kill. But Mazda said Hikiji quit on his own accord citing personal reasons and having worked only eight days at the plant.
The car driven by Hikiji has been taken away by investigating police
Mazda president Takashi Yamanouchi said: "I pray for the spirit of the man who was killed, and pray for the recovery of the 10 who were injured."
The rampage revived memories of a stabbing spree in Tokyo's electronic shopping district two years ago, also by an angry car worker.
Seven people were killed when Tomohiro Kato, who worked for a Toyota affiliate, drove his truck into a crowd and then stabbed onlookers.
Car-makers in Japan are increasingly turning to short contract workers, who are employed at less generous rates than regular workers, to save money.
Hikiji was let go from the factory in April
Toshiaki Hikiji ignored security at the gate and drove into Mazda's Ujina plant in south-west Japan as workers were arriving for a new morning shift. He fled the scene on foot but was arrested about an hour later. According to Japanese media reports, Hikiji was a contract worker who was let go from the factory in the Hiroshima Prefecture in April. It is believed the 42-year-old bore a grudge against the car-maker and police say he was carrying a knife with the intention to kill. But Mazda said Hikiji quit on his own accord citing personal reasons and having worked only eight days at the plant.
The car driven by Hikiji has been taken away by investigating police
Mazda president Takashi Yamanouchi said: "I pray for the spirit of the man who was killed, and pray for the recovery of the 10 who were injured."
The rampage revived memories of a stabbing spree in Tokyo's electronic shopping district two years ago, also by an angry car worker.
Seven people were killed when Tomohiro Kato, who worked for a Toyota affiliate, drove his truck into a crowd and then stabbed onlookers.
Car-makers in Japan are increasingly turning to short contract workers, who are employed at less generous rates than regular workers, to save money.