2 Japanese soldiers fatally shot by trainee at firing range

The trainee was arrested at the range on attempted murder charges and said there was “no denying” he shot the victims, according to police.

The trainee, who was not identified, joined the Self Defense Forces in April. The victims were the soldiers training him, Yasunori Morishita, chief of staff of the Ground Self Defense Force, said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. All shooting exercises were halted Wednesday at SDF facilities following the incident.

The fatal shooting of former prime minister Shinzo Abe last year shocked Japan, as gun violence — especially shootings unrelated to yakuza gang activities — is relatively rare in Japan, where firearms are strictly controlled. The shooting at the firing range is the first such incident since nearly four decades ago, when a 21-year-old shot four people at a Self Defense Forces shooting range, killing one and injuring three.

What are Japan’s gun laws? Abe killing shocks nation with few shootings.

Last month, a man fatally stabbed a woman in Nagano prefecture, in central Japan, and opened fire on officers with what appeared to be a hunting rifle, killing two of them. A fourth person was also killed.

Pietsch reported from Seoul.