EHIME –
Four males have been arrested in reference to a mass assault that erupted throughout a conventional competition in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, leaving seven folks injured after greater than 30 individuals grew to become concerned within the violence.
Video filmed by a viewer in October 2025 captured the chaotic scene on a nighttime avenue, the place shouting could possibly be heard as greater than 30 folks exchanged blows. One particular person seemed to be carrying what regarded like a bladed weapon.
The incident occurred in the course of the Saijo Festival, a centuries-old occasion believed so far again to the Edo interval. The competition is famend for its elaborate danjiri floats, that are carried by the streets by residents from particular person neighborhood associations.
Police arrested 4 suspects on June 10, together with 34-year-old Kyodai Suzuki and 34-year-old Yuki Ochi. According to investigators, all 4 have been concerned in carrying danjiri floats as members of the identical neighborhood affiliation.
The suspects are accused of assaulting seven folks linked to a different neighborhood affiliation utilizing expandable batons and their fists, inflicting accidents.
According to folks conversant in the incident, a dispute had damaged out between danjiri bearers from the 2 neighborhood associations shortly earlier than the assault occurred.
Source: FNN