A fire broke out at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo, involving kerosene and other materials, and the Metropolitan Police Department has apprehended a man believed to have started the fire.
The fire occurred around 9 p.m. on the 3rd at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo, involving kerosene and plastic bottles. There were no injuries. This is footage from TV Asahi’s news camera. When the traffic light turned red, a person appeared carrying something that looked like a board. Then, the person began to pour a liquid in an arc around them. They ignited it with something that looked like a lighter, and flames rose up.
The person who started the fire appeared to be wearing a light-colored cap and carrying a black bag on their back. 9:08 p.m. Police vehicles arrived about 5 minutes after the fire started. According to the Tokyo Fire Department, one plastic bottle and traces of what appeared to be kerosene burns were left at the scene.
Witness: “(Q. What did it smell like?) It smelled like gasoline. Like something was burning. (Q. What about the smoke?) It was black. (Q. Which direction did he run off in?) I didn’t see, but he was there from the beginning of the fire.” The Metropolitan Police Department has apprehended a man in his 40s or 50s who is believed to have started the fire. He is reportedly saying that he poured a liquid and ignited it with a lighter.
At around 9 p.m. on the 3rd, a man caused a disturbance at the Shibuya scramble crossing in front of Tokyo’s Shibuya Station by pouring something resembling kerosene and setting it on fire. The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a man in his 50s who turned himself in to the Shibuya Police Station.
■Shibuya Scramble Crossing: Possible Arson by Pouring Kerosene This is the moment the fire broke out, captured by TV Asahi’s news camera. When the traffic light turned red, a person carrying something resembling a board appeared and began pouring liquid in an arc around it.
While cars were passing by, the person lit the liquid with something resembling a lighter and then left. Police officers are frantically dousing the area with water to try and put out the fire. At around 9 p.m. on the 3rd, a fire broke out at the Shibuya scramble crossing in front of JR Shibuya Station, with kerosene and other substances burning. According to the Tokyo Fire Department, four fire engines and other vehicles rushed to the scene, and the fire was extinguished in about 15 minutes. One plastic bottle and traces of what appeared to be kerosene burns were left at the scene. Several police cars and fire engines were parked, and volunteer firefighters continued their work in the middle of the intersection. You can see someone sweeping up something that looks like white powder.
Despite it being a Friday and there being a lot of people around, the intersection is shrouded in a tense atmosphere. It was a busy intersection on a weekend night. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Many people at the scramble crossing were taking pictures with their smartphones. Witness: “(Q. Was there a smell?) It smelled like gasoline. Like something was burning.” “(Q. What color was the smoke?) It was black.”
■On the cardboard box left at the scene… According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a man in his 50s who is believed to have started the fire later turned himself in to the police station and confessed. He was arrested on suspicion of obstructing traffic for hindering the flow of cars and pedestrians at the intersection. On the cardboard box the man left at the scene, it said: “Japan has been almost taken over.” There was also a URL. On it it said… “8 or 9 pm Sorry for the disturbance.” It was written in a way that hinted at a crime. The Metropolitan Police Department plans to investigate the motive and other details by interviewing the man. (From the broadcast on April 4, 2026)
