Officials have reported that two Japanese soldiers were killed and another injured when an 18-year-old trainee opened fire at a military training range in central Japan.
The incident occurred during a shooting drill in Gifu on Wednesday, with the trainee allegedly firing eight shots at instructors.
One of the victims was a 25-year-old man, while details about the other victims, who were instructors at the facility, are not yet known.
The suspect was immediately detained and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force stated that no civilians were involved, and live-fire and explosive training drills were suspended nationwide following the attack.
Gun violence remains rare in Japan, but a few notable incidents have occurred in recent years.
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was gunned down at a political rally by a protester last July. Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and his death profoundly shocked the country.
Japan was again rattled in April when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida escaped unharmed after having a smoke bomb thrown at his campaign event.
And in May, a Japanese man killed four people, including two police officers, in an hours-long knife and shooting rampage in the Nagano region.
On Wednesday, pictures on Japanese media showed police and emergency vehicles blocking off roads around the training facility in Gifu city.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said he was aware of the shooting, and said the incident was still under investigation.
Japan has strict gun ownership rules, and only allows civilians to own hunting rifles and airguns. People have to undergo a strict exam and mental health tests in order to buy a gun in Japan.
The incident is currently under investigation, according to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu.