A 28-year-old man was arrested in Osaka, Japan, on Thursday after he deliberately rammed his car into a group of primary school children, leaving seven injured — including one girl who sustained a broken jaw.
According to reports from Japanese authorities, the suspect, identified as Yuki Yazawa, told police:
“I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by ramming the car I was driving into several elementary school children.”
The disturbing confession has rocked a country known for its low crime rates and safety for children.
Deliberate, Erratic Attack
The attack took place at around 1:30 p.m. local time as the children, aged seven to eight, were walking home from school.
Witnesses say Yazawa drove his white SUV in a zigzag pattern directly toward the group. After the initial impact, he allegedly reversed the vehicle and attempted to run over the children a second time.
One witness described a harrowing scene: “The girl was covered in blood, and the other kids had scratches. It was chaos,” they told Nippon TV.
Thankfully, all the children survived. While most sustained only minor injuries, one young girl suffered a fractured jaw. All were conscious when rushed to the hospital.
Community in Shock
Local teachers reportedly pulled Yazawa out of the vehicle to prevent further harm before police arrived. A mother at the scene said her son, a recent enrollee in the elementary school, is traumatized: “He’s been crying ever since. It’s terrifying. The man looked dazed, like he wasn’t really there.”
Another parent said: “The car didn’t stop. It kept moving after it hit them. The whole community is shaken.”
Police Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have charged Yazawa, currently unemployed, with attempted murder, and are examining his vehicle for further evidence. As of now, police have not ruled out mental health factors or a deeper motive behind the attack.
This shocking act of violence has reignited national conversations around mental health, school safety, and the growing pressure on younger populations in Japan.
