Online
\nTokyo
\nA small van has ploughed into pedestrians celebrating the new year on one of Tokyo\u2019s most famous streets.
\nNine people were injured, one seriously, by the attacker who struck in the Harajuku fashion district shortly after midnight.
\nThe street, which was sealed off to traffic, was packed with people heading to a shrine for New Year\u2019s prayers.
\nThe man driving the car fled the scene but was later arrested by police for attempted murder.
\nThe 21-year-old was identified as Kazuhiro Kusakabe.
\nPolice told broadcaster NHK that he initially told them he had conducted a terrorist act, but then later claimed it was related to executions. It was not clear if he was referring to a specific execution or capital punishment in general.
\nTakeshita Street in Shibuya ward is a popular shopping area known for its quirky fashion and youth culture. It also attracts international tourists in large numbers.
\nNHK footage showed the van with a smashed front and paramedics carrying the injured on stretchers into ambulances.
\nEight people were hit by the car with one of them, a male student in critical condition in hospital.
\nA ninth person was assaulted by the driver after he got out of the vehicle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Online Tokyo A small van has ploughed into pedestrians celebrating the new year on one of Tokyo\u2019s most famous streets. Nine people were injured, one seriously, by the attacker who struck in the Harajuku fashion district shortly after midnight. The street, which was sealed off to traffic, was packed with people heading to a shrine […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n