Tokyo, Japan — A chaotic evacuation unfolded on the JR Saikyo Line between Jujo and Akabane stations on January 23, 2026, after a 17-year-old boy brandished a pair of scissors at a female passenger, prompting commuters to flee onto the tracks amid panic. Eyewitness video by @azrs_167cm documents the tense moments as passengers scrambled to safety.
The incident occurred around 4:20 PM JST on one of Tokyo’s busiest commuter routes, which connects central Tokyo with Saitama Prefecture. Police quickly detained the teenager at the scene under Japan’s violence punishment law. No stab wounds were reported, but the sudden emergency stop injured three passengers as the train came to a halt.
The disruption halted services on the Saikyo Line for over an hour, affecting thousands of commuters during the evening rush. Tokyo’s rail network, already under strain from recent unrelated delays on major lines, saw significant knock-on effects as operators worked to restore normal operations.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident and are reviewing the footage to assist their inquiries.

Credit: @azrs_167cm